The Peaks of the Balkans Trail is a spectacular long-distance hiking route winding through the rugged heart of the Accursed Mountains, spanning Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro. It’s not only a physical challenge and a visual feast, but also a cultural journey - and some of its most memorable moments come not on the trail, but in the warm, rustic guesthouses that line the route.
For many hikers, the trail’s charm lies in these family-run accommodations. Here, traditional food, simple comforts, and heartfelt hospitality offer more than just a place to sleep - they provide insight into life in one of Europe’s most remote and untouched regions.
How we picked the best
This list highlights one guest house that stands out from each stage of the standard 10-stage circuit. We base this on our experiences and the feedback relayed to use from fellow hikers. Our selection, although subjective, has considererd things such as:
Hiker Reviews: We’ve prioritized guesthouses with consistently positive feedback on Booking.com
Location & Trail Access: Each guesthouse is well-positioned at the end (or beginning) of a stage
Food Quality: After 20+ kilometers of hiking, a hearty, home-cooked meal can be transformative
Level of comfort and cleanliness: While most are rustic, cleanliness and comfort are essential
Top 10 most amazing guest houses
End of stage 1: Theth to Valbona
Guesthouse Demushi is located on side of the main road going through Valbona so you won't miss it. The guest house is clean, comfortable and has a pretty impressive architecture with a 1st floor dinning hall with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the mountains. They allow for tent pitching in the garden which makes it a flexible option that suites all hikers. The food served is local, freshly made and nothing short of amazing. At night the garden is lit up by string lights and gives you a romantic mountain picnic vibe. And last - but not least - their coffee was amazing (western barista style which was a nice change form the Turkish style coffee served everywhere else)!
End of stage 2: Valbonë to Çerem
VITA Guesthouse is a small family-run guest house in the Çerem valley. The main building serves as dinning hall and has bunk beds for hikers. Additionally a range of small huts line the garden - and they are awesome! They have a full glass panel at the end allow for great views and oozes of modern and cozy mountain aesthetics. This mix between modern and traditional makes VITA special. On top of this, the family running the place was super helpful (even inflating a pool for hikers to chill in). This place ended up becoming the go-to destination for hikers; even those staying at other guest houses.
End of stage 3: Çerem to Dobërdol
Guest House Bashkimi is an impressively large guest house in the Dobërdol valley. Its large capacity is due to both having a wide range of huts as well as a large camping area. They have evened out the ground and created plateaus so you get the perfect tent pitch! The guest house has great common areas with outdoors terraces and small cabins with 360° mountain views. The facility is connected with small bridges and honestly feels like a mountain paradise. They don't allow for bookings in advance, so set your aim on this place while hiking and get there before the crowd.
End of stage 4: Dobërdol to Milishevc
Kulla Guest House feels like a small stone castle in the mountains (in all the best ways of that analogy). Rooms are just what you need, have private bathrooms and cozy wooden details. The food served is seriously something you want to experience - we were lucky to get the local stew, which blew our minds. Great garden and terrace for enjoying the afternoon sun and chatting with other hikers.
End of stage 5: Milishevc to Reka e Allagës
Panorama Hostel is located right next to the trail. Rooms are simple with AC, private bathrooms and a balcony with mountain views. Mornings start with buffet-style breakfast to really fill you up for the day. If you are cooking yourself there is also a shared kitchen and garden with BBQ to use. Hosts know hikers well and pack lunches on request. We enjoyed cold beers after a long day on the trail with fellow hikers in the garden. That spontaneous chill‑out vibe made it feel like trail magic.
End of stage 6: Reka e Allagës to Kucishtё
Hotel Te Liqeni is small family-run hotel with a laid‑back hiker vibe. An epic feature here is the hot tub that will help you relax after a long day of hiking. The staff here is what makes this place truly unique. It felt like coming home - we were offered slippers to relax our feet, the tub was fired up and we got to order food right away. All the simple hiker needs were catered to and we had a wonderful time. The rooms in the A-frame huts are up to standard and will give you a good night's rest.
End of stage 7: Kucishtё to Babino Polje
Samel's Cottage is a small guest house located on an open hillside on the climb towards Lake Hrid. It is a few kilometers outside of Babino Polje but it is worth every extra meter of hiking! Chill out on the impressive terrace with unspoiled with of the Balkan wilderness. The food was great and made it to out top 5 of all meals on the trail. You can sleep in the main building or in small A-frame huts on the hillside. The common areas were great and we stayed up long into the night around the bonfire with our fellow hikers. The host Nikola was a one of a kind - say hello! :-)
End of stage 8: Babino Polje to Plav
Apartments & Rooms Brijest has all you need for a stay in town. Pretty spot on location right next to the lake, the bus terminal, the two large supermarkets in town and a range of restaurants. One of the cleanest and most well-maintained hotels we visisted on the whole trail. The staff was helpful in suggesting tips for how to spend the day in town and recommend the best local restaurants. Lastly, the most stunning view of the lake - lean back, relax and take it all in.
End of stage 9: Plav to Vusanje
Moonlight House in Vusanje is a cozy stop for hikers in the mountains. The wooden rooms are simple and clean, each with a private bathroom and either garden or mountain views. After a long day on the trail, the restaurant hits the spot - big portions of local food and breakfast options that work even for early birds. The staff is awesome and welcoming. They are very used to hikers coming through, which makes the place feel easy and relaxed. There’s a garden and a small terrace to kick back on, and the mountain views around the house are pretty great.
Stage 10: Vusanje to Theth
Guest House Rrashkadoli is located just outside Theth. We were lucky to stumble on this gem. The guest house allows for camping in the garden or staying in rooms, serves all meals (home cooked) and features a great terrace where hikers gather up and share stories long into the evening. The couple running the place is absolutely fantastic - all smiles, laughs and raki shots to round the night off. Good showers & toilets and surrounded by open fields on the hillside. Our highest recommendation!
More than just accommodation
These ten guesthouses represent the best of the trail’s hospitality. While comfort levels vary, what unites them is the opportunity to connect with local culture, meet fellow hikers, and reflect on the day’s journey over fresh bread, warm soup and homemade raki.
Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning to explore the trail in a new season, these accommodations are more than waypoints - they’re highlights in their own right.
