The hike is doable in both directions. Many hikers do Theth to Valbona instead \u2014 the ascent out of Theth is steep but the descent to Valbona is gentler in summer. In winter conditions, the direction of travel matters less than knowing which trail to take at the pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Why the Descent from Valbona Pass Is Dangerous in Winter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Every hiking app \u2014 Komoot, Wikiloc, Maps.me \u2014 shows the same route. In summer, it is the correct one: a traverse heading north-northwest from the pass, down through switchbacks, across a longer horizontal section, and then to the valley meadow near Simoni Caf\u00e9 at the bottom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The problem is the first section of that descent. When it is covered in snow, this traverse becomes a steep, icy face with an angle that is extremely difficult to control if you slip. Without crampons or an ice axe, a fall here is very hard to arrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is where accidents have happened. This is where the only fatal accident on the Peaks of the Balkans trail occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We sat down with Mentor Vokshi<\/strong><\/a>, one of the most experienced guides on the Valbona Theth hike, to map out exactly what to do depending on the conditions you find at the pass. Below is what he explained \u2014 matched to GPS trails on Google Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When to use:<\/strong> The pass and the face below are clear of snow. Typically mid-July through October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the trail shown on all mapping apps. It leaves the pass heading north-northwest, follows a slightly inclined traverse, drops through switchbacks under a large rock, crosses a long horizontal section, and descends to the valley near Simoni Caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In dry conditions, it is safe and well-marked. In snow and ice \u2014 particularly on that initial traverse \u2014 it becomes genuinely dangerous. The slope angle means a slip without the right gear is very difficult to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not use this trail if there is significant snow on the face below the pass.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n When to use:<\/strong> The entire area is under heavy snow, including the saddle itself. Typically April through mid-May, and after major late-season snowfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the summer trail is buried, experienced guides take a completely different line. This route leaves the pass heading roughly northeast and descends directly through a steep, narrow gully \u2014 straight down to the flat section at the bottom of the mountain, bypassing the dangerous traversing section entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “This trail requires a lot of experience with snow and ice. You need, at minimum, an ice axe. Crampons would be even better. And B1 boots as a minimum \u2014 B2 if you have them.”<\/em> \u2014 Mentor Vokshi<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The gully is steep. On a guided Valbona to Theth hike, the guide uses an ice axe to cut steps into the snow so clients can place their feet safely. This is not a comfort \u2014 it is a genuine safety advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As snow begins to melt, exposed rock in the upper gully creates a rockfall risk. That is when the third trail becomes the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When to use:<\/strong> Snow is present but melting \u2014 typically late May into June. The upper gully of the winter route is now partially clear and exposed to small stone falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the most nuanced of the three. It starts on the summer trail from the pass and diverges at a clearly marked split point \u2014 there is a signpost on a small pine tree \u2014 where the trail turns right. From there it descends through a low-angle meadow (usually still snow-covered, but without the steep exposure), and then rejoins the winter gully route lower down, following it the rest of the way to the valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the safest of the winter options, but it still requires care. Even soft snow on the meadow section can be slippery without proper footwear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mentor was direct:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Don’t underestimate the whole thing. The minimum for self-guided hikers in winter conditions is an ice axe. Without it, you are putting your life in danger. Crampons are better. B2 boots are better. The more prepared you are, the safer you are.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Minimum gear for winter or spring conditions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you do not have winter mountaineering experience or cannot assess snow conditions yourself, the honest advice is: hire a local guide for this stage.<\/strong> The rest of the Peaks of the Balkans trail you may be perfectly capable of doing alone. The Valbona Pass descent in spring conditions is a different situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mentor made one point clearly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “You can never fully tell people what they can do and what they should do. Self-evaluation is the most important thing. We can give advice, we can show the map, we can provide the GPS. But if they don’t feel safe, they should contact the company or a guide.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Ask yourself before you set off:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the answer to any of these is no, and you are hiking in May or early June, talk to us before you go. We can tell you current conditions on the pass and advise on the right trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BNA<\/a> runs the full Peaks of the Balkans as both guided and self-guided tours. Every self-guided client receives a pre-departure briefing covering current trail conditions, including the Valbona Pass descent. Our guides have led this section in every condition imaginable \u2014 early April full snow to late June melt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10 Days Peaks of the Balkans \u2014 Self-Guided<\/strong><\/a> | 10 Days Peaks of the Balkans \u2014 Guided<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Questions about timing or conditions? Email us at info@bnadventure.com<\/a> \u2014 we check conditions on the trail throughout the season and will give you an honest answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This article is based on a Peaks of the Balkans Podcast episode recorded with Mentor Vokshi, lead guide, April 2026. Listen to the full episode here \u2192<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The GPS tracks for all three trails shown in this article are available to download below. The maps were produced using Google Earth and plotted by Mentor Vokshi based on his direct experience guiding this section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThree Trails, Three Conditions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Trail 1 \u2014 Normal Summer Trail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Valbona](\"https:\/\/bnadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-24-at-13.06.22-1024x739.png\")
\n\n\n\nTrail 2 \u2014 Winter Route: Full Snow Conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Theth](\"https:\/\/bnadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-24-at-13.14.47-1024x739.png\")
\n\n\n\nTrail 3 \u2014 Winter Route: Melting Snow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Theth](\"https:\/\/bnadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-24-at-13.07.04-1024x739.png\")
\n\n\n\nWhat Gear You Need for the Valbona Theth Hike in Winter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nSelf-Evaluation: The Most Important Skill on This Hike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nPlan Your Peaks of the Balkans Hike with BNA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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