Hiking the Balkans: Via Dinarica

This is a hiking trip, so a good level of fitness is essential. Expect long days (up to 8-9 hours) and hikes of up to 20 kms a day, with over 1000 m of elevation gain. Be prepared for remote mountain regions and unpredictable weather.

You’ll be covering four countries, so there will be quite a bit of driving. Make sure you’re comfortable with up to 4 hours in the seat each day.

Some hikes are point-to-point with no shortcuts, or possibility to turn back. Review the descriptions carefully to ensure you’re comfortable with the time, distance, and terrain.

Pack lightly as you’ll need to carry your own bag. Although you won’t walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), aim to keep it under 15 kg / 33 lb. Bringing soft duffel bag or a backpack is essential as on certain hikes we will use mules to transport it to our next overnight stop. You’ll also need a daypack/small bag for water and personal items during daytrips.

1. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 01 in Split.
2. This trip ends on Day 11 after breakfast in Tirana, and you are free to leave at any time.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

LUGGAGE
Alongside your main piece of luggage, we recommend bringing a small to medium backpack (25-30 litres) for day walks. A backpack with a waist strap will be the most comfortable option for all included walks.

ESSENTIALS
Lightweight, comfortable and quick-drying clothing is recommended. Laundry facilities may not be available every day.

• Warm layers such as a light jacket, fleece and base layers.
• Breathable, non-cotton t-shirts.
• Long hiking pants or zip-offs.
• Nylon hiking shorts.
• Wind and waterproof outer layers (jacket and trousers).

Hiking boots with a good grip, ankle support and waterproof membrane that are comfortable to wear for an entire day.

Walking poles for support on steep uphill sections and longer descents.

Comfortable shoes or sandals for shorter walks or time spent not hiking.

A water bottle that holds 1 – 2 litres.

Sun protection – sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, bandana.

Torch, flashlight or headtorch.

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
For general packing considerations, check out our ultimate packing list:

You’re in for a hiking trip and a good level of fitness is essential. We don't ask travellers to complete a physical participation form for this trip however we do ask you read through the trip notes carefully to ensure that this trip is the right trip for you. You must be comfortable hiking up to 8-9 hours a day, with many steep uphill sections, uneven, rocky terrain and in unpredictable weather.

If you’re already a regular exerciser, it might be an idea to up your game a little. Run those extra laps, or take few longer walks, ideally with a day pack on your back. If you’re not exercising so regularly (2-3 times a week), it’s important to start in the weeks leading up to your departure (4-6 weeks prior at least). Your best choice would be to start walking regularly 2-3 times a week including at least one longer walk (up to 15 km). It’s important to not only walk on flat surface, so if you cannot access a hilly terrain easily, walking up and down the stairs is a good replacement. Top that up with some general fitness exercises and any other cardio related classes and you will see a huge progress in your fitness levels.

Hotel Globo, Lovretska 18, Split, 21000, CROATIA, Phone: +385 21481111

Alternate Joining Point

For trips departing on the following dates
use this joining point.
01 Jun 2025 (ZMXH250601)
15 Jun 2025 (ZMXH250615)
29 Jun 2025 (ZMXH250629)
Hotel Corner
Kruščica d.o.o. Mažuranićevo šetalište 1
Split
21000
CROATIA
For trips departing on the following dates
use this joining point.
03 Sep 2025 (ZMXH250903)
10 Sep 2025 (ZMXH250910)
Hotel Art Annex
Slobode St. 41
21000
Split
Split
21000
CROATIA
Phone: +385 0 21 302 302

Hotel Globo is located only a 15-minute walk to Diocletian’s palace and the rest of the famous old part of town. The Split International Airport (airport code SPU) is 30 minutes by taxi from the hotel. You can take airport shuttle bus that is around 8 EUR to the main bus station. From the ferry terminal, main bus and train station you can walk about 25 minutes or take a bus line to the hotel. Taxi is on average 10 EUR.

If you have pre booked an arrival transfer from Split Airport (SPU), your transfer driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding a board with the Intrepid Logo or your name. In case of flight cancellations, flight changes, severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly: +38 95 550 0014.

Freddy's Hotel, Rruga Bardhok Biba 75, Tirana, 1001, ALBANIA, Phone: 355 682035261

Alternate Finish Point

Tirana International Airport is a 30-minute drive from Freddy's Hotel. Alternatively, it takes around 40 minutes by public transport, from Freddy's Hotel walk towards Tirana Central Bus Stop where there is a shuttle bus that will take you directly to the airport.

Breakfasts included: 10

Lunches included: 2

Dinners included: 1

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though.

BREAKFASTS
There are some continental breakfasts included on this trip which may simply include bread/toast or pastries, butter, jam, coffee/tea/juice (or similar).

VEGETARIANS
Vegetarians might find the menu selection in Europe less varied than they would see at home. Vegetarianism is not as common in this region and generally the choices are basic, involving vegetables, soups, salads, bread, cheese, fruit, yoghurt, eggs etc. Vegans and those on gluten-free diets may find this region very challenging and may need to supplement meals with their own supplies from supermarkets and markets. Wherever possible we will cater for dietary needs for any included meals, but there may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own.

SUMMER
Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C/104°F), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

SHOULDER SEASON
In contrast, weather in shoulder season can be unpredictable, and snow is not unheard of at higher altitudes. If you travel at the start or towards the end of the European season please pack accordingly with warm and/or waterproof clothes (preferably layers). The advantage of travelling during this time is that there are less tourists around.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

If you have booked an arrival transfer, and you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find to the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly on the number listed in the joining point instructions in the section above.

Intrepid's Local Operator: +49 8024 4679 540

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.

Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

TWIN SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.

CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.

PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

FACILITIES
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.

TRANSPORT IN EUROPE
Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, that's why we like to travel the local way – whether that means mingling with commuters on a local train, watching the scenery roll by from the window of a long distance bus, arriving on a high speed train in the city centre of your next destination, or navigating each city's public transport system. In Europe, you are guaranteed to travel by genuine local public transport wherever possible, which puts you right in the centre of the action.

PRIVATE VEHICLES
All sections of this trip are travelled by private transport. Our vehicles are locally sourced, comfortable and mostly air conditioned, which makes travelling enjoyable. On some days we will be covering long distances, which will make these days feel longer, however spectacular views and interesting stops along the way make up for it.