The Peaks of the Balkans Trek: Do the Accursed Mountains Really Deserve Their Name?
If ever there was a destination name devised to deter tourists, it has to be the Accursed Mountains. The southernmost part of the Dinaric Alps, they straddle the borders of Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo. Brooding and impressive. It’s a hiker’s paradise. But… That name!
It’s a little off-putting, is it not?
So, if you’re planning on embarking upon a trek through the Peaks of the Balkans, what do you need to know about the Accursed Mountains?
Everything You Need to Know About the Peaks of the Balkans Trek and the Accursed Mountains
Where are the Accursed Mountains?
A truly transnational range, the Accursed Mountains belong to Montenegro, Kosovo, and Albania. They sit in the Mediterranean zone of the western Balkan Peninsula.
How high are the Accursed Mountains?
At 2,694m above sea level, Jezerca is the highest point of the Accursed Mountains. Although you will not reach its summit during your Peaks of the Balkans trek, you will be able to enjoy a wonderful view of its majesty as you trek through the range. Mount Gjeravica (2,656m) will be the highest point of your adventure.
How long is the Peaks of the Balkans trek?
Including arrival and departure days, the Choose a Challenge Peaks of the Balkans trek takes nine days to complete. And the trekking route covers approximately 85km (52.8 miles). The amount you will walk will vary from day to day, with the greatest distance being 18km.
What is the landscape of the Accursed Mountains?
Because it is a range of mountains rather than a single summit, the Accursed Mountains provide an array of environments. From dense forest to austere grey rock, and lush green valleys. In some places you will find verdant pastures. In others, ancient villages. There are waterfalls and turquoise pools. And it’s this gorgeous, ever-changing landscape that makes the Peaks of the Balkens trek so very worth the effort.
What conditions will I face on the Peaks of the Balkans trek?
The conditions you will experience in the Accursed Mountains obviously depends upon the time of your visit. We will be running our next trek in September 2023. And we chose that time because there are fewer travellers around than in the peak of the year. So, the experience should be more enjoyable. And yet the temperatures are still comfortable for hiking. The typical temperature range in September is 5°C to 8°C, with the chance of storms. On the other hand, the autumnal scenery will be spectacular.
Is the Peaks of the Balkans Trek hard?
We would classify this trek as intermediary. No specialist equipment is required, and no previous experience. There is no climbing involved. But you will require stamina. And some of the journey will be completed at altitude.
Do the Accursed Mountains deserve their name?
No one really knows where the name came from. Some stories say that Slavic soldiers dubbed them Prokletije (which means cursed, if you hadn’t guessed!) while trying to cross them. Others say that it was the curse of a woman who tried running from captivity with her family, taking them across the mountains only to find no source of water or food. Either way, the name stuck. And a sense of foreboding has been attached to the mountains for as long as anyone can remember.
But do they deserve the name? Well, few well-prepared hikers would agree. Beautiful, breath-taking, and relatively infrequently travelled when compared to other trekking destinations, the Accursed Mountains make an incredible trekking destination.
The Peaks of the Balkans trek through the Accursed Mountains is a hike for people looking for something different. Incredibly beautiful, with a magnificently varied landscape, but with far fewer tourists than other trekking destinations, it’s a challenge that will take your breath away… For all of the right reasons.
