Landscapes as wild as they get in Europe': family hiking in Albania and Montenegro

"Having always wanted to hike the Peaks of the Balkans trail, a 119-mile (192km) hike linking Montenegro, Kosovo and Albania, I jumped at the chance to sample this new guided itinerary. Combining some of the region's most famous hikes with gentler excursions for kids, such as a day experiencing life as a shepherd, or visits to remote swimming spots, it seemed a novel alternative to our usual get a map and hope for the best approach to hiking holidays."

"It's day two of a seven-day trip with Undiscovered Balkans, crisscrossing between Albania and Montenegro on foot and by car. The trip starts in Podgorica, Montenegro's unassuming capital, where we meet our guide, Aurora (one of just a handful of female Albanian mountain guides), Emma, a cofounder of Undiscovered Balkans, and her daughter and friend, who join us for the first few days."

"The popular card game is a much-needed icebreaker as ominous clouds close in on the remote stan (the Albanian word for a shepherd dwelling). Despite the language barrier, much laughter and consternation soon spill out of the darkness, just as hail hammers down on the tin roof. Dogs bark, chickens cluck and sheep bleat as the thunder grows louder, and we all shelter in the tiny kitchen."

A family embarks on a seven-day guided tour through the Balkans with Undiscovered Balkans, combining sections of the famous Peaks of the Balkans trail with gentler activities suitable for children. The journey begins in Podgorica, Montenegro, and includes hiking, swimming at remote spots, and cultural experiences such as spending a day with shepherds in their mountain dwellings. The trip is led by Aurora, a rare female Albanian mountain guide, and Emma, a cofounder of the tour company. The itinerary balances challenging mountain hikes with accessible excursions, offering an alternative to traditional self-guided hiking holidays. The experience emphasizes cultural connection, natural beauty, and family bonding across the remote regions of Albania and Montenegro.

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