Solo Hiking in the Balkans: All you Need to Know! ⋆

Hiking in the Balkans is one activity you should definitely include in you itinerary when visiting the area. For us, it is one of the greatest travel experiences. It offers a chance to get close to nature, see incredible sites and challenge yourself a little too. Usually we go hiking in pairs. However, that’s not always possible. Not wanting to miss out, we sometimes go solo hiking in the Balkans. When doing this, it is really important to remain safe and you will still have an amazing time! We aim to share all you need to know about solo hiking in the Balkans.

Solo Hiking in the Balkans – The Benefits

Solo hiking in the Balkans provides so many benefits! You will probably discover many more, but here are just a few that we have experienced.

Time on the trail alone will allow some quality time with thoughts. This is a great opportunity to reflect, plan or empty your mind completely, whatever you feel you need.

On solo hikes you might experience sounds and smells as well as sights that you might not otherwise have experienced. It’s also super relaxing as it provides time to think about things. You will get a physical workout, but your soul will thank you too.

Solo hiking will allow you to go where you want at your own pace. You alone can choose the trail, the breaks and the pace you want to travel, bliss. You also don’t need to share the snacks!

Solo hiking doesn’t necessarily mean hiking alone. Even if you set out by yourself, there is a good chance you will meet some like minded people en route.

Solo Hiking in the Balkans – How to Prepare

Once you decide to take the hike, you will need to do a bit of preparation.

Before taking a solo hike in the Balkans, it is advisable to do a little bit of training. Don’t worry, we’re not talking a Rocky montage in the snowy mountains! More like a few long walks on a treadmill set to an incline or maybe a few sessions on the stair climber – or even some actual steps outdoors.

Whether this is your first solo hike or you have a few under your belt, it is vital to pack the essentials before you go. We have provided a detailed packing list further down. However, making sure that your shoes don’t cause blisters is an essential part of the preparation for a hike.

Make sure you check the forecast before you set off. However, at altitude this is likely to change so be prepared for any weather.

Plan the route you intend to take and calculate how long you think each leg of the trail will take. Make sure you include breaks. Know when sunset is.

Solo Hiking in the Balkans – Staying Safe

Hiking is an incredibly enjoyable activity, but it comes with risks. Solo hikers in particular must be ready to put safety first and be well prepared for the hike. We have summarised a few pointers to follow when solo hiking in the Balkans.

Plan Your Route in Advance
Share your Route with a Trusted Friend
Take a Good Map
Stick to the Marked Trail
Know how Much Daylight you Have and How Long Your Hike Will Take
Don’t Take Risks
Never Become Complacent
Know your limits
Always pack Thoroughly (see list below)
Be Aware of Wildlife
Land mines were placed during the wars of the 1990s and may still exist in remote areas. The mountain paths have been cleared of mines but it is still not safe to wander off the trails in some areas. We have only encountered this warning in Bosnia and Croatia so far but have thoroughly enjoyed the hike anyway.

If you get lost, S.T.O.P.

S – Stay calm. Relax, sit down, take a sip of water,
breathe slowly.

T – Think. Get out your map and see what you can
learn.

O – Observe. Look for landmarks, look for footprints.

P – Plan. If you know the route, go carefully and mark
your trail along the way.

Solo Hiking in the Balkans – What to Pack

There are 10 basic essentials required for all hikes. However, this list assumes that you are correctly dressed when starting the trail. We have included a few extras that we always find really useful on our solo hikes in the Balkans. Having said that, it is important to pack as light and as efficiently as possible. Your needs will vary depending on the time of year and length/difficulty of the route.

Navigation: map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger
Headlamp: plus extra batteries
Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen
First aid including foot care and insect repellent
Knife
Fire matches, lighter, tinder and/or stove
Shelter
Extra food Beyond the minimum expectation
Surplus water Beyond the minimum expectation
Extra clothes Beyond the minimum expectation
Durable and comfortable footwear
Camera to snap the amazing views
Power bank for charging phone
Towel
Common Sense!

Solo Hiking in the Balkans – Suggested Routes

For solo hiking beginners, start small and pick popular trails. Here are a few ideas for your first solo hikes in the Balkans.

Croatia – Paklenica National Park

Hiking in Paklenica is one of the most popular activities to do in the National Park. There are around 175km of trails so that should be enough to keep you exploring for some time! The highest peak in Paklenica is Vaganski Vrh at 1757 meters. At the entrance to the park, you will find the trails marked out with details of length, timing and difficulty.

The views are spectacular whatever trail you choose. There are trails suitable for complete beginners that last under an hour and there are also trails that will challenge even the most experience hikers.

Romania – Bucegi Mountains

There are a lot of beautiful hiking trails near the town of Busteni. We took the The Jepii Mici trail. This included the Babele and the Sphynx rock formations as well as Omu peak. We followed the yellow trail markings through the patchy May snow and enjoyed some spectacular views!

Albania – Theth to Valbona

The Accursed Mountains of Albania are in the very north of the country. They can be reached within a few hours from the capital city, Tirana. There is a beautiful trail between the peaceful villages of Theth and Valbona. It is relatively straight forward, when the weather is fair, and takes around 7-8 hours to complete the 17km route.

Bulgaria – Vitosha Mountain

Vitosha Mountain over looks Bulgaria’s capital city – Sofia. Vitosha is a mountain massif and the tallest peak sits at 2290m high, the highest in the Sofia area. It is popular with locals for hiking in the summer as many bid to escape the sweltering heat of the city. It’s not necessary to go with a guide as most of the routes are well signed (our route was about 10km).

Where to go next

Ready for another adventure? Why not try Krka National Park, also near Zadar? There are plenty of mountains, rivers and lakes to discover in beautiful Croatia.

Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.

Have you visited Croatia or Paklenica National Park? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!

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