A Guide to Hiking in Kosovo: My 3 Favorite Hikes & Where Else to Go

Kosovo may be a very small country, but its mountains are anything but Whether you’re just looking for an easy hike to break up your typical travel days or you want to summit as many peaks as possible, Kosovo has something for you.

Over my 2-week trip, I summited three peaks and hiked in three different mountain ranges. In my opinion, hiking is one of the best activities Kosovo has to offer and a great way to truly experience the country.

Below I’ve included my favorite hikes in Kosovo, all of which I’d strongly recommend putting on your list. But first, an overview of where exactly you’ll be hiking and what mountain ranges you’ll be traversing.

Kosovo Has Three Main Areas to Hike

Sharr Mountains

The Sharr Mountains divide Kosovo from North Macedonia, and they’re conveniently located right behind the city of Prizren. If you’re headed to Prizren, you should definitely dedicate at least one full day to venturing into the mountains. The area is also home to the best backcountry skiing in Kosovo (it also has a couple ski centers) if you happen to be visiting in winter. 

As far as hikes go, you have no shortage in the Sharr Mountains, the absolute best of which is the hike to Jazhince Lake from the village of Prevalla. This was one of my all-time favorite hikes! The glacial lake was stunning, and the hike had so much variety. It was a nearly full-day hike round trip, a bit over 10 miles up-and-down.

There’s a real tourism presence up in the mountains, with plenty of modern accommodations. 

Accursed Mountains

The Accursed Mountains in southwest Kosovo are generally the least-frequented of Kosovo’s three main mountain areas. However, that’s not for an absence of epic hikes! It’s simply just a bit more rural with less tourist infrastructure.

You can find the country’s highest peak, Gjeravica, entirely within Kosovo, although nearby Rudoka is higher overall, in these mountains, which divide Kosovo and Albania. Our guides were telling us stories about how during the country’s war with Serbia, these mountains were heavily used as a route to smuggle arms into Kosovo from Albania.

If you’re looking for the most raw, untouched hiking in Kosovo, you can find it here. The towns of Junik and Decan are at the doorstep of the mountains, while historic Gjakova is the nearest city.

Rugova Mountains

The most popular area in Kosovo to hike are the mountains on both sides of the gorgeous Rugova Canyon. This is one of Europe’s deepest canyons at its narrowest point, making for an incredibly scenic, albeit treacherous, drive, with plenty of adventure activities like via ferratas and ziplining in the area.

You’ll actually be right in the canyon within a 5 to 10-minute drive from Peja, and there are a few hikes that you can start within the city limits. But the deeper you get into the canyon, the more it actually opens up into vast, lush mountains. You’ll generally find the best hikes in the area close to the Montenegro border near the villages of Kuqishte and Boge. 

There are also plenty of wonderful mountain biking and ATV trails from the area around Restaurant te Liqeni, and on the opposite side of the canyon in Boge. If you’re looking for a place to stay around here, I’d recommend the cabins I stayed at for three nights: Villa Route Rugove.

My Favorite Hikes in Kosovo

I’ve already touched on these hikes, but here’s more detailed information about the best hikes in Kosovo from my experience.

1. Prevalla to Jazhince Lake

If you’re in or around Prizren and are looking for a day hike, I strongly recommend the Prevalla to Jazhince Lake loop. You need to be in good shape to complete this 9-mile round-trip hike, but the views are 100% worth it. 

Jazhince Lake is just steps from the North Macedonia border and has the clearest blue water. Relaxing up on the shore on a warm summer day was unbeatable.

There’s a little guesthouse about halfway up that acts as a spot to catch your breath and have a snack. After reaching the guesthouse, the views become fantastic as you get above the treeline. The first half of the hike is more through forest, though it was still pleasant.

I’d recommend hiking this trail with a guide. It was fairly well-marked, but there were some spots that may be a bit confusing on where to go. The trailhead is about 40 minutes from Prizren by car, so having a guide for transportation will also be a big benefit, unless you’re renting a car in Kosovo.

Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
Length: 6 hours
Distance: 16km / 9 miles

2. Gjeravica Peak

The most popular hike in the Accursed Mountains is the trek to the summit of Gjeravica Peak. Gjeravica is Kosovo’s highest peak that lies entirely within the country, while Rudoka, a peak on the Kosovo-North Macedonia border, is about four meters higher overall.

Regardless, there’s a UCK (Kosovo Liberation Army) flag at the top of Gjeravica Peak that makes for an epic photo.

My experience hiking to Gjeravica was really memorable. It was incredibly foggy when we started, so the first half of the trek was nothing but greyness. It was also a bit chilly. It very much gave Scotland vibes. However, right as we reached the scenic lake below the summit, the fog cleared and sun appeared!

This is another hike that I’d recommend going with a guide. Maybe the fog exacerbated it, but this trail did not seem well marked. The hike along the ridgeline at the top should only be done by experienced hikers. It wasn’t terribly scary, but it’s one where you have to be careful, especially when it’s windy.

It took about 2.5 hours to summit and 1.5 hours to get back to the village where we began the hike. The drive up from the closest town, Junik, took at least 45 minutes though, so bake that into your total travel time.

Difficulty: Hard
Time: 5 Hours
Distance: 13 km/8 miles

3. Liqenat to Lake Liqenat

Liqenat is a small village of mainly tourist accommodations in the Rugove Mountains. From here, you can walk just a few minutes to the trailhead for the hike to Lake Liqenat. This alpine lake is actually partially in Montenegro, so you could technically swim into Montenegro!

To be honest, the first hour of the hike is grueling, not very fun, and entirely uphill, mostly on loose rocks. Nothing scary, but you need to be in good physical condition to get through the first hour.

Once you grind that out, you’re rewarded with a leisurely stroll to the lake. While not as breathtaking as Jazhince Lake or some of the other alpine lakes in Kosovo, it’s still nice!

I’d recommend continuing hiking to Lake Drelaj or “Little Lake Liqenat,” which is another 40 minutes or so from the big lake through some forest and a small valley (that has a guesthouse with snacks and drinks). This part of the hike was my favorite, as the views gave very much Lord of the Rings vibes (see below). I also thought Little Lake Liqenat was prettier.

Difficulty: Hard (but straightforward)
Length: 3-4 hours to Little Lake Liqenat, 4-5 hours to Lake Drelaj
Distance: 7 km / 10 km to Little Lake Liqenat

Other Popular Hikes in Kosovo

While I didn’t have the time to do more than a handful of hikes in Kosovo, there’s much more at your disposal. Some other popular trails include:

Hajla Peak

One of the most popular hikes in the Rugova Mountains, this trek takes you to the summit of Hajla, which sits right on the Kosovo-Montenegro border. At 2,403 meters, it’s one of the highest peaks in the Rugova Mountains and offers some incredible views.

Maja e Liqenit (Lake Peak)

Another popular summit in the Sharr Mountains, Lake Peak rises to more than 2,600 meters and is one of the highest peaks in Kosovo. It’s a good option if you’re looking for a more serious mountain hike in the southern part of the country.

Mirusha Waterfalls

If you’re looking for something less focused on summiting a mountain, the Mirusha Waterfalls offers a more relaxed hiking experience. The area features a series of waterfalls, lakes, and pools carved into a canyon, with trails winding through the surrounding landscape. I’ve read great things!

White Drin Waterfall and Radac Cave

Just outside Peja, you can combine the White Drin Waterfall with a visit to Radac Cave for a relatively easy hike. It’s a good option if you’re looking for something that doesn’t require an entire day or a high level of fitness.

I will note that we attempted to hike here, but the amount of people was INSANE. Granted, it was a Sunday in July, but keep that in mind, as it’s much better suited to visit on a weekday. Locals flock to White Drin Waterfall.

Luboten

Another hike in the Sharr Mountains right on the North Macedonia border, Luboten is a popular summit for experienced hikers. The mountain rises to more than 2,400 meters and looks to have awesome panoramic views over Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Prizren Fortress

This is more of a walk than a hike, though it’s a significant workout to reach so I’m including it! Trekking to Prizren Fortress from the city center is also a must-do when in Prizren.

There’s evidence that humans have inhabited the area of the fortress since 2000 B.C! The ruins that still exist were fun to explore, and it’s especially stunning at sunset. It takes about 20 minutes to reach from the historic Prizren bazaar. Wear good walking shoes, as it’s on a cobblestone road, which is the WORST surface for an uphill walk. Some tourists were not prepared!

When Is the Best Time to Hike in Kosovo?

For most high-elevation hikes, summer (July to September) is the best time to hike in Kosovo. Snow can linger at higher elevations into early June, while conditions can become more unpredictable as fall sets in.

General Tips for Hiking in Kosovo

Here are some general tips that apply to any hiking you might do in Kosovo:

• Mountain peaks can be chilly, so don’t be fooled by hot weather in the lower-lying cities during summertime. Bring a light jacket or long sleeve shirt in your bag.
• Kosovo is extremely safe. Aside from the very rare bear sighting, you can feel comfortable exploring the whole country. 
• Some trails in Kosovo are well-marked, but others, not so much. Hiking with a guide is a good way to avoid getting lost, while also making a local connection.
• A few hikes in Kosovo, particularly in the Accursed Mountains and including the Gjeravica Peak hike, have trailheads that can only be accessed by 4×4 vehicle. Another reason to go with a guide is to avoid having to figure out transportation.
• Kosovo is also part of the increasingly popular Peaks of the Balkans route, a 192-kilometer circular trek through Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro. Hikes like Gjeravica and Lake Liqenat from Kuqishte can be connected to this larger route, making Kosovo a great place to experience a portion of it without committing to the entire trek.