Hiking the Balkans: Via Dinarica

Zdravo! Welcome to Croatia. Your adventure starts in Split with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe wander along the waterfront, grab a gelato or visit the Old Town, where ancient Roman architecture sits among modern museums, shops and traditional homes. After your meeting, maybe join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant and try local dishes like pasticada (slow-cooked beef stew) or black risotto (seafood risotto with squid ink).

After breakfast, travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Along the way, stop at Blidinje, where you’ll have some free time to explore before setting off on a hike this afternoon through the Dinaric Alps. Starting at Vitlenica, you’ll hike to Hajducka Vrata (Outlaw’s Gate) with an experienced mountain guide and your local leader by your side. Take a break at the scenic plateau on Cvrsnica Mountain before continuing. After sunset, if the weather is good, you can sit back, relax and stargaze!

Relax with a free morning in Blidinje before you travel to Sarajevo – Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital. When you arrive, you’ll have the day to explore the city at your own pace. Maybe learn about the city's history at the National Museum, explore the Old Town, walk across the Latin Bridge or look for the Sarajevo roses – memorials made from the marks on the pavement where mortar shells exploded during the 1990s. Tonight, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations.

This morning, travel to Umoljani, where you'll set off on your next hike in the Bjelasnica Mountain area – host of the 1984 Winter Olympics. Follow a loop trail that passes through Bosnia’s highest and most remote village, Lukomir – known for its old stone houses and traditional dress. Here, maybe meet the locals and share lunch or a cup of Bosnian coffee. Discover the region's rich history, culture and architecture before returning to Umoljani for the night.

Say goodbye to Umoljani, as you drive to Zabljak – the main town within Durmitor National Park and the highest city in the Balkans. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. When you arrive in town, the rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace. Maybe get your bearings with a leisurely walk, visit the Crno Lake (Black Lake) or swim in the glacial lakes.

Fuel up on a hearty breakfast this morning, as you'll hit the mountains today! Strap on your boots and start the hike from the main entrance of Durmitor National Park. When you arrive, join your leader through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscapes of pine forests and mountains traversed by rivers and dotted with glacial lakes. Your final climb of the day will get your heart rate up and lead you to one of the best viewpoints overlooking Tara Canyon. When you reach the top, rest, relax and soak up those views! After the hike, travel to your next destination, Gusinje – a small village on the border of Montenegro and Albania.

After breakfast, set off on a hike along the ridge of the mountains. Walk the trail around Prokletije Mountain to the Popadija and Talijanka peaks, where you’ll have a front row view of the towering Karanfili peaks in the distance. Take in the panoramic views of the Grbaja Valley below before heading back to town for a free evening.

This morning, cross the border into Albania – the fourth and final country of your adventure. Along the way, stop in Theth – one of the wonders of the Albanian Alps, declared a Protected Historic Center by the Albanian Government. With narrow country roads, cows and horses in fenced fields and small stone buildings, Theth’s landscape is like a fairytale. When you arrive, maybe head out for a swim in the Grunasi Waterfall or simply unwind and settle into your accommodation for the night.

Lace up your walking shoes for today’s hike through the Accursed Mountains. As you walk, take in the views over the pine-dotted valley below and snow-capped alps above. After a day on your feet, head to your accommodation in Valbona, where you’ll sit down to an authentic Albanian dinner with your group.

After breakfast, head out on a scenic boat ride to Koman. As you cruise, take in the surrounding landscape of mountains that dive directly into the turquoise waters of the lake. Halfway through, stop for some refreshments and maybe dive into the cool water, before continuing to Tirana. When you arrive, join your local leader on a short orientation walk around the country’s capital. Then, maybe head to a local restaurant for one final dinner with your newfound travel friends.

After breakfast, your Balkan hiking adventure comes to an end. If you would like to extend your stay in Tirana, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.