10 Reason to Visit the Balkans with KE

1. Quieter trails than Western Europe.

Although we’ve been running trekking holidays in The Balkans for over 20 years, it’s still classed as ‘adventure travel’ to visit some of these fascinating but overlooked countries. We know first-hand that this means you’ll often find quite trails and the mountains all to yourself.

2. Tick off the country’s highest peak.

Many of the highest mountains here top out between 2500 – 2900m which is great challenge if you’re a keen walker. Our itineraries are paced correctly so you can enjoy getting to the summit. The highest peaks you can climb with KE:

1. Musala (2925m) in Bulgaria

2. Triglav (2864m) in Slovenia

3. Korab (2751m) in Albania

4. Gjeravica (2656m) in Kosovo

5. Moldoveanu (2544m) in Romania

6. Zla Kolata (2534m) in Montenegro

7. Maglic (2386m) in Bosnia

3. Flights from all across the UK make it easy to get there.

As demand for visiting this region has increase, so have the vast amount of flights from regional UK airports.

However, if time is on your side, start and end your trip with an epic cross Europe rail and bus adventure.

4. Multi-Country Trips.

We maximize your adventure travel by crossing the borders into multiple countries during many of our Balkan trips, meaning you can experience a variety of cultures, history and languages in just one week.

5. First-hand knowledge from your KE local leader.

Spending your week with a local, professional leader is invaluable. You’ll learn so much about the places you’re visiting and you’ll be putting money back to the local economy.

Our local Balkan leaders receive fantastic feedback from our travellers, just check out the reviews at the bottom of this page.

6. Walk or bike in a fantastic climate.

From May to October there is low rain fall and the region is blooming with flowers and fruits.

Both the cooler mountains and the Mediterranean sea breeze make this a perfect destination for walking and cycling throughout the summer months.

7. A perfect day, after day.

A typical day on trek will include waking up amongst rugged limestone peaks before descending through fields of wildflowers, then into lush valleys growing huge varieties of produce, and finishing with dinner in pretty ottoman towns.

We have handled all your logistics, so all you have do is walk or peddle.

8. So much history, ancient Greeks to the cold war.

From Alexander the Great hailing from the then Greek Kingdom of Macedonia to the vast Roman and Ottoman Empires to secretive state of Albania, all eras have left their mark and you really do step through ancient and modern history throughout your trip.

Pictured right are the floating, Orthodox monasteries of Meteora which you'll visit on our Sacred Summits of Olympus tour in Greece.

9. Your money goes further.

The cost of living across the Balkans is lower than Western Europe with food, accommodation and transport generally cheaper, making a week’s adventure fantastic value.

Prices vary by country with some currencies using or matching the Euro and some still with developing economies.

10. There's something for you in our huge range of Balkan adventures.

From snowshoeing in Bulgaria's Rila Mountains to sweeping down smooth switch backs on your road bike in Albania - we run 17 small group guided, and two self-guided adventures in The Balkans.

You can book group trips as Private Adventures if you have friends and family you want to travel with or take advantage of cheaper flights travelling mid-week on our self-guided trips. Here's our full range:

Recent Reviews For Our Balkan Holidays

Across the Julian Alps to Triglav

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Triglav

This is an amazing trip , the people were great, the weather was great, the guides (David and Masa) were brilliant, the hiking was hard but the views were outstanding, if you’re into hiking this trip is must, thanks KE for this amazing adventure. ...

By Steven from cumbria | July 22, 2024

Trekking the Ridges & Summits of Bulgaria

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bulgaria

We all fell in love with Bulgaria and its beautiful and spectacular Rila and Pirin mountain ranges. The hiking was varied and awesome everyday and sometimes with tough sections. What made this trip truly special and memorable was our mountain guide ...

By David from london | June 28, 2024

Walking in the Balkan Borderlands

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fabulous adventure

This was an wonderful trip. The itinerary was excellent, we walked/hiked every day but in different landscapes so each day was unique. The planning was excellent, and our guide was fabulous - knowledgeable, fun, organised and flexible. Highly recomme...

By Lesley from tamarin | October 7, 2023

Trekking the Ridges & Summits of Bulgaria

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

An amazing trip

An excellent trip walking on beautiful mountains. I was really impressed with the Bulgarian mountains and surprisingly quiet. The walking was tough going at times but really enjoyable Our guide Ivo was as good as ever (we me before on Mount Olympus) ...

By Andrew from whitehaven | October 5, 2023

Across the Julian Alps to Triglav

★ ★ ★ ★

Beautiful traverse!

This was a very nice traverse covering what felt like a lot of the Julian Alps. The huts varied from very basic to fancier, but all were clean, friendly, and well organized. The hut food was basic (lots of stew!) but filling. Summiting Triglav is def...

By Leslie from telluride | October 1, 2023

High Peaks of the Balkans

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A fantastic week exploring the beautiful Balkans

My boyfriend and I have had an incredible week of challenging but rewarding hiking and exploring. First and foremost thank you to Besi for guiding a brilliant tour - he's a living legend! Kind, calm, informative and clearly passionate about his home ...

By Rachael from manchester | August 28, 2023

High Peaks of the Balkans

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Expertly guided through beautiful mountains

A well planned itinerary that seamlessly brought a diverse group of walkers and experience across the beautiful Balkan Alps. Our guide, Besi, was passionate about the environment and balanced professional guidance with a friendly demeanor. Really rec...

By Nicholas from leighton buzzard | August 27, 2023

Across the Julian Alps to Triglav

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wonderful memories after hut to hut immersion in the Julian Alps

Immersion into the amazing pristine alpine environment of the Julian Alps on this hut to hut trip, facilitated by KE Adventure, had me tired and emotional, in the best possible way. On a digital detox, I took very few photos but many wonderful memori...

By Betty from newport | July 17, 2023

10 Reasons to visit The Balkans with KE.

1. Quieter trails than Western Europe.

2. Tick off the country’s highest peak.

3. Flights from all across the UK make it easy to get there.

4. Multi-Country Trips.

5. First-hand knowledge from your KE local leader.

6. Walk or bike in a fantastic climate.

7. A perfect day, after day.

8. So much history, ancient Greeks to the cold war.

9. Your money goes further.

10. There's something for you in our huge range of Balkan adventures.

Recent Reviews For Our Balkan Holidays

Across the Julian Alps to Triglav

Trekking the Ridges & Summits of Bulgaria

Walking in the Balkan Borderlands

Trekking the Ridges & Summits of Bulgaria

Across the Julian Alps to Triglav

High Peaks of the Balkans

High Peaks of the Balkans

Across the Julian Alps to Triglav

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10 Reasons to visit The Balkans with KE.

1. Quieter trails than Western Europe.

2. Tick off the country’s highest peak.

3. Flights from all across the UK make it easy to get there.

4. Multi-Country Trips.

Walking in the Balkan Borderlands

Through the Heart of the Balkans

Balkan Trilogy Road Cycle Tour

5. First-hand knowledge from your KE local leader.

6. Walk or bike in a fantastic climate.

7. A perfect day, after day.

8. So much history, ancient Greeks to the cold war.

9. Your money goes further.

10. There's something for you in our huge range of Balkan adventures.

Undiscovered Balkans - Bosnia and Herzegovina

Balkan Trilogy Road Cycle Tour

Walking in the Balkan Borderlands

Bulgarian Snowshoe Adventure

Trekking the Ridges & Summits of Bulgaria

Walking Croatia's Coast & Mountains

Walking Croatia's Coast & Mountains - Private Dunn

High Peaks of the Balkans

Tastes and Trails of North Macedonia

Trekking The Transylvanian Alps

Rural Romania and Backroads of Bulgaria

Through the Heart of the Balkans

Self-Guided Walking the Coastal South of Albania

Ultimate Albania Cycling Tour

Sacred Summits of Olympus and Meteora

Across the Julian Alps to Triglav

Walking Slovenia's Lakes and Mountains

Self-Guided Walking: Dubrovnik and Dalmatian Coast

Walking Croatia's Islands

Walking the Albanian Alps

Recent Reviews For Our Balkan Holidays

Across the Julian Alps to Triglav

Trekking the Ridges & Summits of Bulgaria

Walking in the Balkan Borderlands

Trekking the Ridges & Summits of Bulgaria

Across the Julian Alps to Triglav

High Peaks of the Balkans

High Peaks of the Balkans

Across the Julian Alps to Triglav

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KE 1815 Online Reviews

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