What can I expect for weather?

June: Plenty of snow remaining, especially in the first half of the month. Most guesthouses will be open and more hikers are out on the trail. Incredible wildflowers are in bloom. Warm temperatures with less rain, although thunderstorms are common.

For those of us that live, work and play in the outdoors, we are well aware of the changing climate and no longer predictable weather patterns. Take this into account with regards to expectations and packing.

What are the accommodations like?

The accommodations are a highlight on the expedition. Most are family-run, basic and charming Guesthouses. Some might be a motel or Inn. These are not luxury towns, but Shepard villages that are providing for the growing backpacking industry. The families tend to be warm and welcoming, themselves often only able to spend summer months in the region due to snow. Interestingly, in northern Albania, hospitality was actually codified in the kanun, the traditional Albanian law.

You can expect your own bed in a dorm room with 4-6 beds, sometimes a cabin or smaller double room is available, and we can expect to share space with other backpackers.

The Guesthouse provides beds, sheets and pillows.

There is hot water, flush toilets and electricity.

What is the food like?

Plentiful, hearty and fresh…straight from the gardens of the Guesthouses!

For breakfast and dinner, we’ll see plenty of fresh baked bread, salads made with vegetables from the garden or the local market, and jams and fruit preserves made in house. Particularly in the more remote areas we’ll eat lots of feta-like semi-hard cheese and delicious, tangy yogurt. The families will provide us with a pack lunch, often including a sandwich with cheese and vegetables, before we set off each day.

Do the Guesthouses accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes. A vegetarian option is a norm on the trail now.

Vegan and Gluten-free options are harder for the Guesthouses to accommodate, but not impossible. We recommend bringing some supplemental snacks for adequate nutrition. We are happy to help you plan for that.

Can I drink the water on the trail and in Guesthouses?

We recommend you treat all of your water. Please bring your own preferred water treatment or filter system. We will be carrying 2-3 L of water each day.

Please note- even if you are comfortable drinking fresh water from streams on your usual backcountry expeditions, please reconsider for this trip. Traveling in a different country, with different bacteria and very different health facilities could have a huge impact on the group’s experience. Prevention is the best form of health care.

What should I pack?

Please see our Balkan Alps packing list.

Can I bring my phone & tech devices?

We highly recommend you disconnect from your devices as much as possible while on expedition.

If you need to connect with someone, we ask you do so in private spaces and not in the group setting.

We will have intermittent wifi and cell service on this route. As with any expedition cell service is unpredictable, so it is best to tell your loved ones you will not be in contact to prevent them worrying.

How difficult is this expedition?

This trail is rated challenging. It has this rating due to the high elevation gains and losses we will encounter each day (3000+ ft up and down daily), along with the long miles 10-17miles/day. There are no technical skills or technical equipment needed. Some parts will be easy going and smooth and some parts will be challenging and harder with long days and rocky steep terrain. It is hard on the feet, and knees.

You can expect a lot of elevation gain and loss everyday. In fact, there’s potentially more elevation gain in total, than a peak climb to Mt. Kilimanjaro- but the big difference is altitude! We are not in high altitude areas and therefore the stress on the body is less. As well, we travel up and down each day, which can be much different than only straight up as with peak ascents. We tend to travel lighter and faster with small packs and no camping gear.

This trip is for people with hiking/backpacking experience.

What’s our method of navigation on the trail?

The trail is marked in all countries with painted symbols. We will travel with paper maps, electronic maps, GPS and an emergency device.

There are many guesthouses and cafes along the route.

Long distance, lightweight travelling considerations…

One thing people find different on light weight, long distance hikes vs heavy packs with camping gear is foot soreness. We will travel about 10-15 miles each day so it is important to remember a few things:

• Have good quality, comfortable, and LIGHT WEIGHT hiking shoes or boots (not runners). They say 1 pound on the foot feels like 5 on your back. Low top hiking shoes are great, as long as they have quality grip for steep rocky terrain and you know your ankles don’t need the extra support.

• Shoes sized a half size up to accommodate your feet swelling is appropriate.

• Pack as light as possible. See our packing list.

• Use hiking poles. They take the weight off your back and help with balance and support.

• Bring any creams, salves or meds for achey feet.