Balkan Quartet: Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro

Balkan Bike Tour Itinerary

Day 1: We will meet at our starting hotel in Tirana, Albania’s capital city, at 6:00pm. After an orientation, we have our first dinner together. Tirana has undergone a fascinating transformation since Communist rule ended in the early 1990s, so we urge you to come a day early and explore. Meander the revitalized public squares and traffic-free streets, savor a café break, or go shopping in the upscale Blloku district, once the precinct of Communist party VIPs. The city is flush with relics of its Ottoman, Italian, and communist history, from delicate minarets to brash socialist murals. 0 miles.

Day 2: Our first day of riding begins after breakfast and a shuttle to Lake Ohrid. One of the oldest lakes in the world and one of Europe’s deepest, Lake Ohrid is also a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its biodiversity. After a bike fitting, we will set off for Tushemisht, a village on the shores of Lake Ohrid near the North Macedonian border. We’ll savor lunch in a waterfront restaurant and have the afternoon to explore the lake. 24 miles, ±328’.

Day 3: We will set off on our bikes to follow the shores of Lake Ohrid, a road that presents lush landscapes and views of the surrounding mountains.

Crossing into the Republic of North Macedonia, our first stop will be the city of Ohrid, known as the Jerusalem of the Balkans. Once the epicenter of Slavic culture and religion, this beautiful hillside town of cobblestone streets used to have 365 churches—one for each day of the year. We’ll take a guided tour that includes a visit to the iconic Church of St. John at Kaneo, seated majestically on a cliff above a small fishing settlement.

The ride continues through a string of quaint villages that still cling to ethnic Albanian traditions and ends in Struga, a city that straddles the Black Drim River and has been dubbed the City of Poetry, thanks to an international festival that celebrates verse in multiple languages. You’ll have time to explore, so consider reciting a line or two on the Bridge of Poetry or taking in the Old Bazaar. 27 miles, ±1640’.

Day 4: We bid farewell to Struga and head toward the countryside, lined with rolling hills framed by mountains. The first stop is Debar, a small city famous for its nearby therapeutic thermal and mineral baths. It’s a fine place to find lunch and admire some historic architecture.

After crossing back into Albania, we’ll use our strong legs to conquer some sizable climbs, but the reward will be stunning alpine views. The final destination is Peshkopi, a small town that still clings to a slower pace of life and whose surrounding natural resources draw hikers, mountain bikers, rock climbers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. 47 miles, ±2788’.

Day 5: It’s an exhilarating and challenging ride from Peshkopi to Kukës, but one that graces cyclists with crisp mountain air, delightful hamlets, and a view of Mount Korab, which stretches more than 9000 feet toward the sky. 

When you arrive in Kukës, you will be in the only place in the world ever nominated for the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize for welcoming hundreds of thousands of Kosovo War refugees. 45 miles, ±4249’.

Day 6: Say farewell to Albania as we cycle into Kosovo. This border area is revered for the Fierza Dam and Reservoir. The turquoise waters that stretch for 43 miles beyond it are impressive.

In Gjakovë, where we’ll spend the night, you’ll find a Muslim town with many mosques, tekkes (Sufi lodges), stone bridges, and the celebrated Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest markets in the Balkans. 37 miles, ±2953

Day 7: We'll start the day with a transfer to the Kosovo-Montenegro border, where our cycling adventure begins. As we ride toward Berane, we'll immerse ourselves in Montenegro's breathtaking landscapes. Our farewell to Kosovo takes us through the Rugova Canyon, one of Europe’s longest and deepest river canyons that is cherished by rock climbers and spelunkers. We will climb over mountains through forests en route to Montenegro, arriving at our Berane hotel in the afternoon. 37 miles, ±2867’.

Day 8: As we continue east through Montenegro, say hello to the Komovi Mountains, renowned for their beech and conifer forests. As we approach Trešnjevik Pass at 5135’, the view is expansive. We meet up with the dramatic Tara River valley and then overnight in Kolasin, a quaint village encircled by beautiful mountains. 37 miles ±3247’.

Day 9: Our companion today is the Tara River, known as the “tear of Europe.” We’ll follow its turquoise waters as the mountain walls narrow around us and create Europe’s deepest canyon. Our lunch spot will overlook the famous Tara Bridge, looming more than 540’ above the river gorge. We also pedal through Durmitor National Park, where glacial lakes, rivers, alpine meadows, and hills serve as the foreground to some spectacularly rugged mountain peaks. The ride ends in the ski resort town of Zabljak. 48 miles ±4429’.

Day 10: We spend much of today’s ride cycling through Durmitor National Park, reaching the road with the highest elevation in the country. We have two mountain passes today, but you can always choose to skip them: Prevoj Sedlo Pass at 6256’ and Prijespa Pass at 6185’. Our home for the night is Pluzine, a small town on the shore of Lake Piva. 27 miles ±2260’.

Day 11: Today is devoted both to biking and sightseeing. First, we pedal to Niksic, Montenegro’s second-largest city known for its laid-back vibe. We have lunch here. We then drive to Cetinje, the former royal capital where the country’s current president resides. We’ll stroll the historic city center and relax at one of its centuries-old open-air terraces before retiring for the night. 30 miles ±3020’.

Day 12: Today starts with a gradual climb to Lovcen National Park, the dearest park to Montenegrins, as it inspired the nation’s name, which means “black mountain.” It is in this park that the beloved 19th-century ruler, poet, and diplomat extraordinaire Petar II Petrovic Njegos is buried. After cycling or shuttling up the hill, we’ll have lunch in the town of his birth, Njegusi.

From here, the road is all downhill, with dramatic switchbacks and sweeping vistas. You’ll get many chances to ogle at the Bay of Kotor, a body of water flanked by dramatic cliffs. We overnight in Kotor, on the bay’s southern tip. 31 miles ±2704’.

Day 13: Today is all about exploring Kotor. The old part of the city, built between the 12^th and 14^th centuries, is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring medieval architecture. It is surrounded by protective walls that welcome pedestrians. If you want to get out on the water, you can consider a boat tour or canoe rental. 0 miles.

Day 14: After a morning shuttle, our last cycling day takes us back into Albania along the western shore of Lake Skadar. The lake is one of Europe’s largest bird sanctuaries, with more than 270 species. Our final destination is Shkoder, which in Albania is known as the city of bicycles (due to its flat terrain) and rain. Hopefully, we will skip the rain part! We’ll celebrate our trek through the Balkans at our final dinner together. 26 miles, ±424’.

Day 15: After breakfast, we will take a 90-minute shuttle to the Tirana airport, arriving by noon. Then we’ll say our good-byes and head home or to wherever you’re traveling next.