Photos: Elma Okić, Terra Dinarica
TIRANA, Jan. 18 – The Via Dinarica Western Balkans regional hiking trail starting in northern Albania has been rated as one of the world’s top five hot new hiking and biking trails.
The rating comes by National Geographic Traveller UK only one year after the prestigious travel publication named the new Via Dinarica trail as one of the best 2017 trips.
“A European odyssey, the Via Dinarica runs like a rocky backbone along the Western Balkans. It starts in the peaks of northern Albania, winding its way through five countries before ending in Slovenia. The challenging White Trail is already beckoning — at 782 miles, it takes in some of the highest summits, with a combined ascent of nearly 170,000ft. Take a tent, or check-in at highland huts and farm-stays,” says UK’s National Geographic about the Balkan Via Dinarica.
In 2017, for the first time after years of expansion, the 1,200-mile Via Dinarica trail was completely mapped with stage information compiled from a growing community of hikers.
Valbona and Theth are the main destinations on the Via Dinarica in Albania.
“A wild, high, mountainous region inhabited by strong and fiercely independent people, the Malà«si (Highlands) has for the history of Albania been the region which was never really conquered or subdued by the various waves of invaders during the last 2,000 years of Balkan history,” the Via Dinarica says on its portal.
“For anyone who’s ever dreamed of being a 19th century naturalist explorer the mountains of northern Albania is heaven. To date there is no field guide, and little formal research has been done. What there is, is a uniquely pristine and complete ecosystem, accompanied by a rich fund of local lore and knowledge,” it adds.
The trek—which stitches together ancient trading and military routes—traverses the Dinaric Alps, linking the peninsula from Postojna, Slovenia, south through Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, and Macedonia.
The Vogue magazine has also earlier recommended Via Dinarica among the 9 destinations every adventurous women should visit.
“Trekkers can experience the rich, cultural heritage of the region during homestays in local villages and mountaintop or seaside huts. The 128-mile route weaves through the unexplored region, where limestone peaks meet the Adriatic Sea and views of glacier-fed lakes prove frequent. If you prefer to cycle the Balkans, opt for a spot on The Odyssey with TDA Global Cycling, a seven-week tour from Athens to Amsterdam that stops in Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia, Croatia, and Slovenia,” the Vogue says.
