Everything you need to know before you go.
Our 5-level difficulty scale
Gentle trails with minimal elevation. Suitable for all fitness levels.
Some elevation, longer distances. Regular exercise recommended.
Sustained ascents, 12–18km/day. Regular hiking experience preferred.
18–24km/day, significant elevation gain on consecutive days.
Technical terrain, altitude exposure, long demanding days.
What to pack
A general pack list for Balkans hiking. Your pre-trip info will include a tour-specific version.
Clothing
- Moisture-wicking base layer
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or down)
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Quick-dry hiking trousers
- Warm hat & gloves
- Sun hat
Footwear
- Broken-in hiking boots (ankle support)
- Camp sandals
- Merino wool socks (multiple pairs)
- Gaiters (for early season)
Navigation & Safety
- Headlamp + spare batteries
- Personal first aid kit
- Water filter / purification tabs
- Emergency whistle
- Phone with offline maps (Maps.me)
Camp Essentials
- Sleeping bag liner
- Trekking poles
- Dry bags for kit
- Blister kit
- Sunscreen SPF 50+
- Insect repellent
Documents & Money
- Passport (valid 6+ months)
- Travel insurance documents
- Euros in cash (€200–400)
- Emergency contact card
- Vaccination records (if relevant)
Missing something?
Rent quality kit directly from us in Prishtina. Poles, sleeping bags, rain shells and more.
Best time to visit
| Country / Route | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania (Alps) | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off |
| Montenegro (Durmitor) | Off | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off |
| Kosovo (Rugova) | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off |
Visas & entry
Most nationalities require no visa. We handle all border crossing admin for group tours.
No visa required for Albania, Montenegro, or Kosovo. Passport required (ID card accepted for Kosovo from some EU states).
No visa required for any of the three countries. You can stay up to 90 days in each. No border issues crossing on the Peaks trail.
No visa required. Albania and Kosovo allow stays of 90 days. Montenegro allows 90 days within 180-day period.
No visa required for Albania (90 days), Montenegro (90 days) and Kosovo (90 days). Summit Balkans handles all border paperwork for the group.
Health & safety
Travel Insurance
Mandatory for all Summit Balkans tours. Must include medical evacuation and trip cancellation. We recommend World Nomads or SafetyWing for hikers.
Emergency Contacts
Albania: 127 · Montenegro: 112 · Kosovo: 192. Your guide carries a satellite communicator on all multi-day tours.
Altitude & Weather
Passes on the Peaks trail reach 1,800m. Afternoon storms are common in summer. Your guide monitors forecasts daily and adjusts the route if needed.
Emergency Contacts on the Trail
Save these numbers before you leave. The trail crosses three countries — know who to call in each one.
Works everywhere in Albania, Kosovo & Montenegro.
Call this first for any life-threatening emergency.
Kosovo
- Emergency (all)112
- Police192
- Ambulance194
- Fire193
- Mountain rescue (KPSS)0800 80080
- Mountain rescue (mobile)+383 49 840 228
Quick Tips in an Emergency
- →Share your GPS coordinates when calling rescue — press and hold the location pin on Google Maps
- →Keep your phone charged above 30% before any mountain day
- →Note your guesthouse name and address — rescue services need a reference point
- →The Peaks of the Balkans trail crosses borders — know which country you are in
- →If injured: stop, stabilise, shelter, signal (whistle three blasts), then call
“The golden rule: tell someone your route and expected return time before every mountain day.”
FAQ
Can I travel solo?
Yes — around 40% of our group tour participants join solo. Small groups (max 12) mean you're never isolated, and most solo travellers leave with friends for life.
What's the group size?
Our scheduled group tours have a maximum of 12 travellers. Private trips can be from 2 to 12.
How do payments work?
A 25% deposit secures your spot. The remaining 75% is due 60 days before departure. We accept bank transfer and card payments.
What's the cancellation policy?
60+ days before: full refund minus €75 admin fee. 30–60 days: 50% refund. Under 30 days: no refund. Travel insurance with cancellation cover is mandatory.
Can you accommodate dietary needs?
Vegetarian is well supported — Balkan guesthouse food is naturally plant-forward. Vegan and gluten-free diets are harder to guarantee in remote areas; contact us to discuss.
Are children welcome?
Yes on appropriate trips. Difficulty 1–2 routes are very family-friendly. We don't recommend the Peaks of the Balkans (difficulty 4) for under-14s.
Photography / drones?
Photography is welcome everywhere. Drone use requires permits in national parks — we can advise but recommend leaving drones at home on the Peaks trail.
What about tipping?
Tips are not expected but are deeply appreciated by guides and guesthouse families. €10–20/day for the guide and €5–10/day for accommodation hosts is typical.