Hike the Sharr Mountains in Kosovo & North Macedonia

If someone had told me this would end up being one of the best trips I’ve ever taken, I probably would have smiled politely and assumed they were overselling it. They weren’t. I’ve traveled quite a bit and have done guided trips before, including another adventure with Much Better Adventures, but this one somehow managed to exceed every expectation. The hiking itself was extraordinary. Day after day it felt like we had an entire mountain range to ourselves. Instead of crowds, we shared the trails with grazing cows, wild goats balancing effortlessly on impossible cliffs, and local villagers who greeted us with genuine warmth everywhere we went. There were moments where we’d stop, look around, and realize there wasn’t another hiking group in sight—just endless mountains stretching in every direction. It’s becoming increasingly rare to find places that still feel truly wild, and Kosovo and North Macedonia absolutely delivered. A huge part of what made this trip so special was our guide, Uta. Knowing she summited all fourteen of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks is impressive on paper, but spending a week with her is what really leaves the lasting impression. She never made the trip about her achievements. Instead, she quietly shared her experience whenever it could help us become better hikers or better understand the mountains we were walking through. She knew exactly when to encourage us, when to slow the pace, and when to gently push us beyond what we thought we were capable of. Throughout the trip I never questioned our safety for a second. She was calm, professional, incredibly knowledgeable, and genuinely kind. One thing I love about Much Better Adventures is that they consistently make complicated travel feel effortless. This was my second trip with them, and once again they absolutely nailed the logistics. Every transfer, every accommodation, every meal, every detail seemed to happen exactly when it should. If there were problems behind the scenes, we never knew about them because they were already solved before they reached us. That allows you to spend your energy enjoying the experience instead of worrying about it. The accommodations somehow matched the adventure perfectly. One night you’re wild camping beneath an incredible sky, and the next you’re soaking in a spa at a five-star hotel. It never felt random; it felt like the perfect balance between adventure and comfort. But what surprised me most was the people. I honestly joked by the end that Much Better Adventures must secretly interview everyone before accepting them, because I can’t explain how our group came together so naturally. Everyone clicked almost immediately. We came from different places and different backgrounds, yet every dinner was filled with laughter, stories, and conversations that somehow never ran out. By the end of the trip, saying goodbye felt surprisingly difficult. These weren’t just people I hiked with, they became friends I’ll genuinely stay in touch with. When I think back on this adventure, I don’t just remember the incredible landscapes. I remember laughing around the dinner table after long hiking days. I remember watching the sunrise over silent mountains. I remember the lessons Uta shared. I remember realizing how lucky we were to experience a part of Europe that still feels authentic, uncrowded, and wonderfully untouched. That’s what makes this trip so memorable. It’s not just a hiking holiday. It’s one of those rare experiences that reminds you why you travel in the first place. To Uta, the entire local team, and everyone at Much Better Adventures, thank you for creating something I’ll be talking about for years. I’ll absolutely be back.

If you’re even thinking about booking this trek, stop debating and just do it. I just got back from hiking through the Sharr Mountains, and it was one of the most incredible travel experiences of my life. Much Better Adventures has once again exceeded every expectation. They have a way of creating trips that are so much more than a vacation—they’re experiences that challenge you, inspire you, and stay with you long after you’ve returned home. Our guide, Uta, was truly exceptional. She struck the perfect balance of encouraging us to push beyond what we thought we were capable of while always making sure everyone felt supported, safe, and included. Her knowledge, passion for the mountains, and genuine care for the group made this trip unforgettable. One of the biggest surprises was the people. We came from all over the world, but our shared love of adventure brought us together almost instantly. By the end of the trek, we weren’t just a group of strangers—we were a team, cheering each other on through every climb, swapping stories over dinner, laughing nonstop, and creating friendships and memories I’ll treasure forever. Every day felt like a new adventure. The landscapes were absolutely breathtaking, with endless ridgelines, alpine meadows, glacial lakes, and panoramic views that rarely had another person in sight. It genuinely felt like we had an entire mountain range to ourselves. The accommodations were warm and welcoming, the local food was outstanding, and the hospitality everywhere we went made us feel at home. If you’re looking for a destination that feels untouched, offers spectacular hiking, immerses you in local culture, and connects you with an amazing group of like-minded travelers, this is the tour. It will push you physically, reward you with some of the most stunning scenery you’ll ever see, and leave you wondering why more people haven’t discovered this hidden gem. Without question, this was an adventure I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

One of the hardest multi days I’ve done. Mostly because of the “Balkan uphill” (essentially all ascent is direct and along the steepest line) and the relentless pace of our great leader. But the rewards are brilliant. Hiking in pristine environments, with very few other people. Really witnessing a true undeveloped corner of Europe. Very mixed bag accommodation. From stunning hotels and mountain lodges to some guest houses that require you to really lower expectations! But delicious food all round!

This week-long trek kicked my butt, but in the best way! The views somehow got better and better as the days went on, our guide Uta was truly a mountaineering legend, and our group was a wonderful mix of people from all walks of life. Highly recommended!

This trip to the Sharr Mountains was truly something special, and I couldn't recommend it more if you're looking for an off-the-beaten-track adventure. The mountains are incredibly beautiful, with trails winding through endless wildflower meadows and some of the most stunning views I've ever seen. Every day felt like walking through a postcard. Uta is simply the best guide you could hope for. With her impressive mountaineering experience and genuine love for her home mountains, she guided us with so much care, warmth, and passion. The guesthouses are simple, but that's part of the charm. The hospitality was so genuine, with wonderful home-cooked dinners shared around long tables outside, with great conversations and the mountains all around us. And, as always, the group was full of kind, adventurous, like-minded people. The combination of the incredible scenery, the wonderful company, and Uta's guidance made this a trip I'll never forget.

Uta was an inspirational guide to the Sharr mountains. We had an excellent group and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This hiking trip is a truly magical adventure. As you criss-cross between the borders of Kosovo and North Macedonia, you’ll rarely see another soul, meaning this untouched wilderness is all yours to drink in and explore. We had an amazing guide, Uta, who is an absolute mountaineering beast. She expertly guided us on trails that sometimes looked like they weren’t even there, taking us through fields of flowers, stream crossings, zigzags up peaks, and to hidden mountain lakes and waterfalls. She’s got some serious mountains under her belt, including Everest, so you know you’re in good hands. She also handled all the logistics so smoothly and with a smile, meaning our group of about 15 really never had to worry about anything. The scenery is just incredible in the Sharr Mountains, and every day brought us something new. I’d say the first day is probably the hardest because you’ll do a fair bit of hiking just straight up the mountain, but the rest of the climbs are a bit more gentle or involve zig zagging up. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll be tired at the end of the day, but we had a couple newbie multi-day hikers on the trip, and they were able to complete all the hikes (blisters and all). The accommodations were simple, clean, and comfortable, and honestly cooked us some amazing homestyle meals. I’m vegetarian, and I never went hungry on this trip. The hearty vegetarian stew at the historic Ljuboten Mountain Hut after the first day of hiking was one of our favorite dishes of the entire trip (including the meat eaters!). It also helped that after every day of hiking, wherever we stayed offered up cold beers for around 2 euros. We made some great memories playing cards at tables outside as the sun set and we polished off a Peja or Zlaten Dab. The Balkans truly feel like an undiscovered gem, but I have a feeling it won’t stay that way for long. So if you’re on the fence about the trip, I’d just go for it sooner rather than later. From the incredible friends I made to the stunning hiking we tackled, I’m seriously going to remember this trip for a long time!

Wonderful trip with wonderful people! Amazing trip, beautiful scenery and lots of laughter thanks to a great group. Uta is a fantastic guide who made this trip even better, everything was well organized. Beautiful and great accommodation - sometimes rather basic but always clean, with great food, and at fantastic spots!

A truly stunning part of the world with very few people in it! Walks were varied and accommodation too, giving a real insight into Albanian villages.

I had an amazing time on this trip. The hiking and routes were brilliant and stunning every day. The food was great & the accommodation each night was always very clean and comfortable. Uta was the perfect guide with bags of knowledge & a great sense of humour. We had a great team spirit in a group of like minded people.