The Accursed Mountains are one of Europe's last true wildernesses, straddling the borders of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. Jagged limestone peaks, deep glacial valleys and turquoise alpine lakes make this range a bucket-list destination for adventurous hikers.

The terrain is dramatic and untamed — sheer rock walls, karst plateaus and U-shaped valleys carved by glaciers during the last Ice Age. In summer, wildflower meadows and remote shepherd villages give the mountains a timeless feel, while heavy winter snowfall cuts off many valleys for months. It remains one of the few mountain ranges in Europe not yet fully explored, adding to its raw, remote appeal.

How to reach the summit

• Valbona or Theth (Albania) — part of the Peaks of the Balkans trail, several days, demanding
• Rugova Canyon (Kosovo) — moderate route through dramatic gorge scenery

Practical information

• Maja Jezercë (2,694 m) is the highest point of the entire Dinaric Alps range
• The 192 km Peaks of the Balkans Trail loops through all three countries in about 10 days
• Three national parks protect the range — in Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro
• Some trails cross international borders, so carry your passport

The name Accursed Mountains comes from local legends — one tells of the devil carving the jagged peaks in a single day of mischief, another of a woman who cursed the range after failing to find water for her thirsty children.