Walking the Balkans- Bosnia, Serbia & Montenegro 2027 - 9 Days

Our walking tour of the Balkans starts today in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Surrounded by forested mountains, Sarajevo blends Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian architecture, with lively bazaars, traditional coffeehouses and a fascinating history. We'll spend our first few days based in Sarajevo, heading out to enjoy hikes in the surrounding mountains and countryside. If you'd like to discover more of the city's history, cultural sights and lively old town, we recommend arriving a day or two early to explore at your own pace. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive at Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ), which is around a 30-minute drive from the hotel. Our tour leader will meet us in the hotel lobby for a welcome meeting at 7pm this evening, giving everyone time to arrive and settle in after their journey.

This morning, we'll drive for around 1.5 hours through the scenic Bjelašnica mountain range to Umoljani, where our hike through the Studeno Polje valley to Lukomir begins. Sitting at 1,495 metres (4,904 feet) above sea level, Lukomir is the highest and one of the most remote villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our route takes us along the edge of Rakitnica Canyon, with sweeping views of deep river gorges, grazing sheep and wild horses. In Lukomir, life has changed little over the centuries. Traditional stone houses and a way of life closely connected to the surrounding mountains offer a fascinating glimpse into rural Bosnia. You'll have free time to explore the village and enjoy lunch, with the chance to buy freshly prepared, locally sourced food, including traditional homemade pies, from local women. You can also browse their handmade woollen goods, including intricately knitted socks, scarves and clothing, which help support the local community. After our visit, we'll drive back to Sarajevo, where the rest of the evening is free for you to explore the city or relax at your own pace. Today's hike covers around 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) and takes approximately 3 hours, with a total ascent and descent of around 200 metres (656 feet). The terrain can be uneven and rugged in places, so good balance and sure footing are important. Hiking poles may be useful if you'd like some extra support. The route passes through alpine meadows, low bushes and open mountain terrain, with limited shade. Be sure to bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.

This morning, we'll drive up Mount Trebević, one of the key venues for the 1984 Winter Olympics, to the cable car station, where our walk begins. Our route takes us past the abandoned Olympic bobsleigh track, now partly reclaimed by nature and covered in graffiti. It's a striking reminder of Sarajevo's Olympic past and the region's more recent history. After our walk, we'll take the cable car back down into Sarajevo, where you'll have some free time for lunch. Afterwards, we'll continue to Mitrovac, in Serbia's beautiful Tara National Park, crossing the Vardište/Kotroman border along the way. As we'll be crossing an international border, delays are possible, particularly during peak travel season. We recommend bringing a book, some snacks and a little patience for the journey. We aim to arrive at our hotel in the evening, leaving you free to head out for dinner in Mitrovac. Today's circular walk covers around 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) and takes approximately 2 hours, with an ascent of 230 metres (755 feet) and a descent of 150 metres (492 feet). The route follows the forested slopes of Mount Trebević, surrounded by beech and coniferous trees typical of the Dinaric Alps. Please note that around half of the walk is on tarmac, with the remainder on forest trails.

This morning, we'll drive to our starting point in Tara National Park. The park is home to some of the most astounding viewpoints in the Balkans, and we'll tick off its crowning jewel, Banjska Stena. This incredible viewpoint looks out over the lapis lazuli waters of the Drina River and the park's sprawling forested peaks, with Bosnia on the opposite bank. Our hike is relatively short but rewarding, taking us through dense evergreen and beech forest before reaching the dramatic cliffs above the Drina Canyon. The route follows a mix of narrow woodland trails and unpaved forest roads, offering a chance to experience the peaceful landscapes of this beautiful national park. In the afternoon, we'll drive to Sjenica, a town on the Pešter Plateau, one of the largest highland plateaus in the Balkans. Known for its wide-open landscapes and traditional pastoral way of life, it's a striking change from the forested mountains of Tara. Today's hike covers around 8 kilometres (5 miles) and is expected to take approximately 2–2.5 hours, with a total ascent and descent of around 100 metres (328 feet).

This morning, we'll drive to the Uvac Nature Reserve, one of Serbia's most spectacular natural areas. The reserve is famous for the dramatic meanders of the Uvac River and is an important sanctuary for the endangered griffon vulture, with one of Serbia's largest breeding colonies found here. After a short transfer, we'll set off on a hike to Molitva viewpoint, perched high above the river canyon. From here, we'll enjoy picture-perfect views of the river's winding meanders, surrounded by rolling, forested mountains. Our route crosses open, rocky terrain with low vegetation and follows the edge of the canyon, offering wonderful views along the way. After our walk, we'll drive into Montenegro, stopping at the Ćirovića watermill near Pljevlja. The journey to the watermill will take around 2.5 hours, followed by another hour or so to Žabljak, where we'll spend the night. Today's 5.5-kilometre (3.4-mile) hike is expected to take around 2 hours, with a total ascent of 130 metres (426 feet) and a descent of 280 metres (919 feet).

Our hike today starts right from our hotel. We'll walk through Žabljak to the entrance of Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dramatic limestone peaks, alpine meadows and glacial lakes. From here, we'll begin our climb to Lake Jablan, one of the park's beautiful mountain lakes, sitting at an altitude of 1,791 metres (5,875 feet). Surrounded by pine forest and mountain ridges, the lake is a peaceful spot to take in the scenery of this remarkable landscape. Our route takes us through dense evergreen forest and open alpine meadows, with plenty of opportunities to pause along the way and enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery. It's a longer hike today, so we'll take our time and enjoy the walk at a comfortable pace, with breaks to rest and soak up the views. We'll then retrace our steps back to the hotel, aiming to arrive at around 5pm. Today's 14-kilometre (8.7-mile) hike is expected to take around 5 hours, with a total ascent and descent of approximately 490 metres (1,608 feet).

Our hike today starts from our hotel as we head to see some of the most iconic glacial lakes in the Durmitor National Park; Crno, Zminje and Barno. Surrounded by pine woods and mountain silence, these lakes offer a peaceful walking experience in pristine nature. The hike today is longer, so we'll take it at our own pace and have plenty of opportunities to stop along the way and admire our surroundings. In the afternoon, we'll drive towards Monastery Ostrog where we'll spend a night in a guesthouse near the monastery. Today's 14 kilometre (8.7 mile) hike is expected to take around 4 hours, with a total ascent and descent of 250 metres (820 feet).

On the final full day of our tour, we'll explore Ostrog Monastery. From the Lower Monastery, we'll follow a peaceful trail through the forest to the Upper Monastery, along a route traditionally used by pilgrims. Built directly into a sheer cliff face in the 17th century, the Upper Monastery is one of Montenegro's most important Orthodox Christian pilgrimage sites. It's dedicated to Saint Basil of Ostrog, whose remains are kept here and are believed by many pilgrims to have healing powers. We'll have time to explore this remarkable site, admire its frescoes and take in the views across the Bjelopavlići Plain. After our visit, we'll continue our journey to Trebinje, where we'll spend the night. We aim to arrive late afternoon. Today's hike covers approximately 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) and is expected to take around 1–1.5 hours, with a total ascent and descent of around 250 metres (820 feet).

There are no planned activities today. We'll leave Trebinje and drive to Dubrovnik Airport (DBV), a journey of around one hour, aiming to arrive at approximately 9am. This is where our trip comes to an end, so please ensure your flight departs no earlier than 11am. Although we'll finish our trip at Dubrovnik Airport, we don't visit Dubrovnik itself as part of our itinerary. The city faces significant challenges with overtourism, so we aim to explore the wider region and support a more sustainable approach to travel. However, if you'd like to discover Dubrovnik, it's a historic coastal city with a UNESCO-listed Old Town and impressive medieval city walls. We recommend adding a night or two to the end of your trip if you'd like to explore at your own pace. It's well worth getting up early to walk the city walls before the crowds arrive.