Guide for the Peaks of the Balkans Trail

[@CaryMercer]

Any feedback would be helpful and appreciated. Anything like: what you found useful, what I could have included, what your hiking plans are etc. Thanks!

[@eddydewilde4958]

Thanks Cary for making this info video, most helpful.

[@CaryMercer]

I really appreciate you saying that and leaving a comment. Take care!

[@andrei-lazar]

Nice video with good info!

[@aleixbonafacia2920]

Hey Cary, thanks for the video! Do you think I can find accomodation without having a reservation in every town during the route? My starting date will change according to the weather forecast. Thanks again!

[@CaryMercer]

Hi! Will you have camping gear in case you can't find accommodations? In Theth there are many options, so likely fine without reservations. Same with Plav, but not sure about the smaller villages. Difficult to say.

[@martindolog2]

Hi Cary, very useful video. Any idea where I might be able to get a gas canister (the screw one)? I thought this was a common thing but last year in Madeira it was a nightmare to get one. Cheers.

[@CaryMercer]

Hi Martin. Thank you! I would contact Tony Store Tirana, they may have the gas canister. Google shows they may have them. Good luck!

[@WildernessEntertainment]

Fantastic video, very informative with a great balance between info and shots to keep us engaged. My girlfriend and I and planning to do this trail in afew weeks, although my girlfriend is not so experienced in over night hiking to make this achievable i would like to break it up into some smaller sections. If we were to skip the Kosovo section and re supply in the towns how many days food / water would you recommend carrying? and also how much did your pack weigh?

[@CaryMercer]

Hi! Thank you for the nice comment. I appreciate it. I really should weigh my pack sometime before starting one of these hikes, but I think it likely weighs around 30 pounds. There are guesthouses along the way where you can buy food. I resupplied once in Plav at a market. I would suggest bringing a water filter, so that you don't have to carry that much water. Probably best to bring enough food for three days, and resupply when you can.

[@CliffHall-tv1mo]

Great video Carey, did you download the route on Alltrails? I could not find the full route.

[@CaryMercer]

Hi Cliff. I don't think there is a full route on AllTrails. I made my own map. This is most of my route, starting and ending in Theth-www.alltrails.com/explore/map/peaks-of-the-balkans-ca75910 Thank you for subscribing and leaving a comment. It means a lot to me. :-)

[@CliffHall-tv1mo]

Thanks Cary, I shall use your route 👍

[@CaryMercer]

@@CliffHall-tv1mo Oh, good. Hope you have a great time out there!

[@CaryMercer]

@@CliffHall-tv1mo Best to take other routes in Kosovo. My route will take you on roads, and that wasn't fun for me. Best to stay higher up after ascending the highest peak in Kosovo.

[@johannesm8137]

Great video and thx for your effort! I'm planning a trip for the end of june with my brother. However, we don't have enough time for the whole circular hike and thinking of starting in Kosovo, Peja -> Plav -> Teth/Valbona. Do you think that makes sense or would you propose other starting points/routes? Appreciating your thoughts :)

[@CaryMercer]

Hi, and thank you! That sounds like a nice route for your trip. I also really like the Grebaje valley in Montenegro. It's not on the Peaks of the Balkans official route, but it is really nice. I had the nicest views on top of Maja Jezercë. Challenging hike up, but worth it.

[@johannesm8137]

Nice, thanks for the extra hint :)

[@CaryMercer]

Hope you have a fun, safe adventure. @@johannesm8137

[@serpz123]

Thanks for the informative video Cary, really appreciate it! I'm looking at doing this trek like you; wild camping with a few guesthouse stays here and there. Being from the UK we don't have any extreme wildlife and I know the Balkans have brown bears. Is there any info on bear safety? Did you need to take any precautions for your wild camping? Thanks again!

[@CaryMercer]

I am glad that you found it informative. I appreciate you watching and commenting. I did not see any bears or any signs of bears. I did not take any precautions for my wild camping. I hope you have a safe, fun time out there.

[@serpz123]

@@CaryMercer Thanks for the info Cary!

[@larsjacobs2341]

hey, our flight arrives in the morning in Tirana as well. Do you think it would be possible to take a taxi or something similar from skhoder to Teth in the afternoon or is waiting for the morning bus in Shkoder the only option? Thanks in advance!

[@CaryMercer]

Hi! I can't say for certain, but likely that there will be a taxi from Shkoder to Theth. There is a tourist information center in Shkoder very close to the bus area(main roundabout in town).

[@larsjacobs2341]

@@CaryMercer thanks for the reply and great video!

[@CaryMercer]

I appreciate that, Lars. Thank you! Hope you have a nice time out there. @@larsjacobs2341

[@66KTMracing]

Hi Cary, great work with the infos and the nice shots you share in this and the hiking video. My girldfriend and I were thinking about going to Balkan next year. We are doing a big trip with our van through whole europe (also scottish highlands 😍) and now we stumbled across your video of this nice hike! Do you have any idea where on the route we could park our van for the 10 days most safe or easy?

[@66KTMracing]

Or better I say: how do you felt is the is teh mood of the people down there? Did you feel any time not safe? I guesse Plav would be a good starting point for us :)

[@CaryMercer]

Hi! Your trip sounds really fun. I hope you both have an excellent time. I think parking and leaving your van would be okay in Theth.

[@artofwargh]

​@@66KTMracingRude question to be honest. Balkan people are known for their hospitality. Probably not a good idea for you to come if you're that fearful of new people.

[@paulg7294]

Curious to know if you were you ever asked to show your cross border permit?

[@CaryMercer]

Hi! Thanks for watching and asking. I was not asked to show. I thought perhaps I would see someone when I was dropping down into Plav near Babino Polje, but no.

[@AlpineTrails]

Thanks for this. Very helpful. Planning to go there in about 2 months. I was looking to use the same website but when you start the application it says "group".. Were you able to apply as a solo traveller? I sent them an email but still haven't received a reply. Cheers

[@CaryMercer]

Hi, thank you for watching. I appreciate it and for you leaving a comment. You should have no issues applying as a solo hiker.

[@AlpineTrails]

@@CaryMercer Thanks. That is good to hear. I was a bit worried. Been looking to do this hike since before COVID. Seems like an amazing experience. Cheers

[@CaryMercer]

@@AlpineTrails I hope you have a great time out there. Take care.

[@AlpineTrails]

@@CaryMercer cheers. and thanks for answering so quickly. I can't wait

[@humanonsensechannel]

Can you share the route as seen in All Trails?

[@CaryMercer]

Hi! The link is in the video description. Let me know if I can help out any further. Thanks for watching. :-)

[@rickdungen]

Is it possible to wildcamp by hammock?

[@CaryMercer]

Hi! I think that would be a challenge on this trek. I think it would prove too difficult, but if you planned out your route to finish each day where you know you can setup a hammock, then sure.

[@maerosss]

I came to get down, I came to get down So get out your seat and 0:13 ;-)

[@CaryMercer]

Haha :-)