Zla Kolata: Climbing the Highest Peak of Montenegro

Çerem to Valbona Hike: A Complete Guide to Climbing Zla Kolata, the Highest Peak of Montenegro

The Çerem to Valbona stage is one of the most spectacular days on the Peaks of the Balkans trail — a route that takes hikers over Zla Kolata (2,534 m), the highest peak in Montenegro, before descending into the remarkable Valbona Valley in Albania. It is a long and demanding day, but for strong hikers it offers the most rewarding summit experience on the entire trail.
The route begins in Çerem, a remote shepherd village in the Albanian highlands that can only be reached via a mountain 4WD track. From here, the single-track trail climbs steadily through summer pastures and thinning forests toward Bori Pass, the first marked border-crossing point between Albania and Montenegro. Most of the hike remains on the Albanian side, with only a short crossing into Montenegro on the way to the summit.

The final ascent to Zla Kolata follows grassy slopes up to a broad saddle directly on the unmarked Albania–Montenegro border. Near the top, hikers encounter a short and relatively easy hands-on scrambling section with moderate exposure on the right side, but without particularly dangerous terrain. The summit itself is a broad expanse of rocky karst limestone with sparse vegetation, characteristic of the high Accursed Mountains, and it often remains snow-covered until early summer.

From the summit, hikers are rewarded with one of the finest panoramas in the region. On a clear day, you can gaze across to Maja Jezercë (2,694 m), the highest peak of the entire Accursed Mountains, and east toward Gjeravica, the highest mountain in Kosovo, while the lush valley of Valbona Valley stretches out to the south. From this single summit, it is possible to see the highest peaks of all three countries connected by the Peaks of the Balkans trail.

After reaching the summit, the route descends along the same mix of grassy and limestone terrain before entering fragrant pine forests and continuing down toward Valbona — a famous mountain village surrounded by mesmerizing peaks, known for its boutique guesthouses, the turquoise Valbona River, and its status as one of the most beloved destinations on the Peaks of the Balkans trail.
At approximately 21 km in length with around 1,820 m of ascent, this is a long and strenuous stage, with steep sections that make it one of the more challenging days on the route. However, standing on Montenegro’s highest peak makes the effort unforgettable. Because the trail crosses an international border, hikers must apply in advance for border-crossing permits. The summit can also be climbed from the Montenegrin side as a day hike from Vusanje, a village near the town of Gusinje.

Plan your hike: Highest Peaks of 4 Countries (includes Zla Kolata) · Guided Peaks of the Balkans · Self-Guided Peaks of the Balkans