The Peaks of the Balkans trail is one of Europe’s most breathtaking and remote long-distance hikes. The remoteness and variable conditions of the trail mean that packing smart (and as light as possible) is essential. I've created a comprehensive guide to what you should pack to stay safe, comfortable, and prepared on the Peaks of the Balkans trail.
I've structured this guide to go through different packing setups depending on how you decide to hike the trail. I consider Basic to be the lightest and most simple setup - from there, at Flexible and Full you will need to pack more gear to allow for camping (and maybe even cooking yourself). The setups are additive meaning that if you pack according to Flexible, you wil also bring everything from the Basic setup.
Basic - Staying and eating only at guest houses
Flexible - Staying Staying and eating at guest houses, but bringing own tent for camping in the gardens
Full - Wild camping and bringing own food, water and fuel
I assume that you will be hiking in the peak season between June and September - therefore, I'll exclude winter gear for hiking in snow. Let's get started!
Basic setup
The following is considered the Basic setup that all hikers should bring to enjoy the trail and not be caught by any surprises.
Hiking clothing and equipment
You will genreally be hiking in the heat throughout the day, so I recommend more light layers for the trail. I find either thin merino wool or synthetic layers to be the best and the easiest to wash due to drying really fast. The weather will be unpredictable, so layering will be key - a fleece jacket, wind breaker and a rain poncho will give you all the flexiblity you need.
- 1 x backpack of 30 - 40 liters
- Hiking footwear (trail runners, hiking shoes or boots)
- 3 x pairs of hiking socks
- 2 x shorts or pants
- 2 x hiking shirt or T-shirt
- 1 x Sun hat (bucket hat, cap or similar)
- 1 x Buff
- 1 x pair of sunglasses
- 2 x underwear
- 1 x wind breaker
- 1 x fleece jacket
- 1 x beanie
- 1 x poncho (or rain jacket and rain pants)
- 1 x pair of flip flops (or sandals) as camp shoe
- (optional) 1 x pair of hiking poles
Electronics
You will have charging opportunities every day. Either at the guest houses or at restaurants. However due to your reliance on devices for navigation its better to play it safe and also carry a power bank. A head lamp can be nice either for camping in the dark or just going to the toilet at the guest house in the night
- 1 x smart phone (with Peaks of the Balkans Map installed)
- 1 x power bank (and charging cables)
- 1 x head lamp
- (optional) 1 x camera
- (optional) 1 x headphones
Nutrion and hydration
Water filtering is advised to avoid catching any sickness. You will not encounter many water sources throughout the day, so I suggest bringing 3 liters from the morning and hit the trail well hydrated. The many small mountain cafés can also be a nice Plan B offering both drinks and snacks mid-stage.
- Water bottles or hydration reservoir (2–3 liters capacity)
- Water purification (filter or chlorine tablets)
- Snacks (trail mix, energy bars, dried fruit, nuts, candy)
- Electrolyte powder
Toiletries and hygiene
Toiletries and sun screen is not easily accesible on the trail so bring from home. In particular when it comes to sun screen, I encourage you to bring your own (that suits your skin) as the sun screen available in the supermakets and pharmarcies are not of great quality.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Quick-dry towel
- Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
- Lip balm (with SPF)
- Toilet paper and hand sanitizer
- Nail clippers
- Tweezers
Other items
Last, but not least.
- Earplugs
- Sleeping mask
- Valid passport (required for crossing borders)
- Peaks of the Balkans border-crossing permit
- Cash (Euro will have you covered)
- (optional) Kindle for reading at night
Flexible setup
For this setup you expect to camp at the guest houses but still eat there and use their facilities. This means you will need to bring your camp setup and upgrade your backpack.
Camp Gear
- 1 x lightweight tent (2-person freestanding tent preferred)
- 1 x sleeping bag rated to 0°C to -5°C (32°F to 23°F)
- 1 x sleeping mat
- 1 x light weight pillow
Note: Upgrading your backpack to 40-50 liters is a good choice to have enough room to comfortably pack your entire setup.
Full setup
For this setup you will be wild camping - potentially not close to the towns on the trail. This means that you will need to carry food, water and fuel.
- 1 x camp stove head
- 1 x gas cannister
- 1 x set of matches (or lighter)
- 1 x extra hydration bladder (carry water for cooking)
When it comes to food you have some flexibility of either bringing your own or supplying at towns. Due to the relative scarcity of supermarkets I'd encourage a hybrid where you bring freeze dried meals for about half of your days on trail. For the remaining days you can either carry food from restaurants in town, supply at the few supermarkets or eat a large lunch in town and eat snacks for dinner.
Note: Upgrading your backpack to 50-60 liters is a good choice to have enough room to comfortably pack your entire setup.
Final Thoughts
Embracing minimalism when you pack means you will spend more time enjoying the trail and less time adjusting straps or searching for misplaced gear. Whether you are wild camping or staying in guest houses, good planning will make the difference between a stressful slog and a smooth, joyful trek.
