I am walking from Sarajevo to Skopje as part of a larger walk. I have now looked at the distribution of guesthouses to support a potential route and have a dilemma: should I take a relatively north-south route through Montenegro through Podgorica, and then northern Albania, or a more easterly route through Montenegro and then southwestern Kosovo (which is quite far from any likely conflict zones)?
I asked the manager of my youth hostel and she said she preferred Albania due to its many awesome sights. However I believe this route to Skopje will take considerably longer and I am pressed for time (I am considering buying a second hand bike and bike packing a substantial part of my walk to make up time).
If anybody has been to both regions (southwestern Kosovo and northern Albania) I would be keen to learn about the difference in terms of hospitality, friendliness toward foreigners, culture and scenery (I am interested in both the natural, agricultural and built landscapes of a country).
NB, I am already following and up-to-speed with the political situation in Albania, following travel guidance, and am ready to adjust my route if the situation deteriorates! So I am not missing any information about that, my decision at this point depends on other things (described above).
https://www.komoot.com/tour/1201367603?ref=aso&share_token=aw8H32W58y23...
https://www.komoot.com/tour/1201451251?ref=aso&share_token=a1fBMmYziI1h...
Post edited at 16:23
