End of 2020: 920 km of motorways

August 2026: 1476 km + 143 km expected to be opened by the end of 2026

Source: 130km.ro

The Peaks of the Balkans is stunning the entire time, as you'll trek for 10+ days through Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo, taking in gorgeous views of towering mountains, deep valleys, and expansive flower fields.

However, hands down, my favorite day was hiking in Montenegro's Prokletije National Park.

My trekking group started down in the Grbaja Valley, looking up at what is often called the "Yosemite of the Balkans."

The trail starts easy with a shady, gradual climb through the forest, though once you emerge the challenging climb begins.

Making your way up Mount Talijanka at 2,057 meters is steep and a definite calf-burner, but you've got gorgeous views the entire time.

I am not being dramatic when I say my jaw dropped at the top. Looking one way, you'll see stone spires and sheer walls that look like the Dolomites. Then the other way it's rolling mountains that seem to stretch on forever.

Here is a photo I took from the top:

The neat thing about this day of the Peaks of the Balkans trek is you can actually do 3 peaks (it's technically part of the "3 Peaks Trail"). These include Mount Volušnica, Mount Talijanka, and Mount Popadija.

Or can skip Mount Volušnica and just do Mount Talijanka and Mount Popadija. These two are connected by a flat path, so you don't need to do much extra work to also summit Mount Popadija.

Tip: the way down is steep and slippery, with lots of loose sand and shale, so bring trekking poles.

Have you hiked the Peaks of the Balkans or Mount Talijanka?