The month-long programme marking Europe Day across Kosovo came to a close in the place we know best: the mountains. To wrap up the celebrations, we at Balkan Natural Adventure partnered with the European Union in Kosovo to lead a guided hike through Rugova, along trails supported by EU investment.
It was a fitting way to end a month of events. Throughout May, towns across Kosovo hosted concerts, fairs, and gatherings to mark Europe Day. Our contribution was an invitation to step outside, lace up, and experience the region the way we believe it is best understood on foot.
The hike gave participants the chance to take in the landscapes of Rugova up close: its natural beauty, its dramatic gorge, and the cultural heritage woven into the valley. Beyond the walk itself, the day offered a look at what EU support means on the ground — from the maintained trails underfoot to the wider effort to protect the natural landscapes that belong to the whole community.
We chose the Livadhi i Sakës (Saka Meadow) trail for a reason. It is the kind of route that connects the mountain directly to the city, and that connection matters to us.
“We believe it is really important for nature walks to be linked to the city, so that people can embrace the outdoors without needing a car. The Saka Meadow trail is exactly that kind of path. There are very few people from Peja who don’t have a memory tied to this place,” said Virtyt Gacaferri of Balkan Natural Adventure.
In the spirit of Europe Day, the hike promoted the values we build all of our trips around: healthy living, care for the environment, and the creation of shared public spaces that bring people together.
That comment about Peja was not a throwaway line. Balkan Natural Adventure was founded by Peja natives, and the Accursed Mountains that rise above the city are not a product we discovered they are home. It is why, whether we are guiding a single afternoon on the Saka Meadow trail or a twelve-day crossing of three countries, the knowledge comes from having grown up in these valleys.
We work in small groups led by experienced local guides who know the terrain, the seasons, and the communities along the way. That local rooting is the thread running through everything we do, and it is exactly what a day like this one celebrates: nature that belongs to the people who live beside it.
A guided afternoon in Rugova is one small taste of what the region offers. For travellers who want to go further, the same mountains are the gateway to some of Europe’s most rewarding long-distance trails.
The Peaks of the Balkans is a classic cross-border trek linking Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro, crossing high alpine passes and traditional shepherd villages.
The High Scardus Trail runs through the Sharr Mountains, connecting Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Albania, with wide ridgelines, glacial lakes, and far fewer hikers.
Closer to Peja,our Kosovo tours and day activities range from short hikes to via ferrata, perfect for adding an outdoor day to any trip.
If you are still getting to know the country, our Visit Kosovo guide is a good place to start.
The European Union supports environmental protection, sustainable tourism, and the communities that live in and care for these landscapes and that is a commitment we share. As a Travelife Partner, we meet more than 100 sustainability criteria covering how we run our office, work with local suppliers, and communicate with our travellers.
For us, responsible travel is not a marketing line. We work closely with local partners to keep tourism’s benefits within the region, and we build our trips around a long-term presence rather than a quick pass-through. You can read more in our Sustainability Policy.
We were proud to help bring this year’s Europe Day programme to a close on the trails of Rugova, and even prouder to do it close to home. If there is one idea we hope people walked away with, it is a simple one: nature is never as far away as it seems.
Ready to experience it for yourself? Explore our tours or get in touch and we’ll help you plan your own adventure in the Balkans.
Balkan Natural Adventure is a Peja-based adventure travel company specialising in guided and self-guided hiking and ski touring across Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. Locally rooted, professionally guided, authentically Balkan.
Balkan Natural Aventure is leading tour oprator in the region. We were featured to major newspapers and hold a partner status with travelife certifier.
Links
Destinations
Locations
Balkan Natural Adventure Sh.P.K
Edit Durham, nr 7
30000 Peje, Republic of Kosovo
Balkan Natural Adventure Albania
Rr. Milto Tutulani nr 26/8
1010 Tirana, Albania
