![\"Spot](\"https:\/\/www.alananna.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Spot-the-Dipper.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/a><\/figure><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nWe then packed away the tents for the last time. They were a little damp but there wasn’t much we could do about that. We sent Anna a check-in, although it was a little slow to send under the cover of the trees. We then set off towards Plav. After an initial steep climb up from the lake it was virtually downhill for 9 miles. Today we were also back on the official Peaks of the Balkans Trail all the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is this a race?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We overtook a trio of hikers with small day-packs and were soon in a race! Our packs were the lightest they had been but still substantial in comparison and it slowed us down a little on the steeper sections where they would catch us a little. I think they were trying their best to do so. We therefore got faster and faster and even jogged a little here and there! The miles flew by through the forest and we eventually left them behind. We did stop in some clearings to admire the views and have a quick drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nEventually, we emerged out of the forest into grassy farmland and a while later after more descending we came to a 4WD track where a guy with a land-rover was waiting.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a>We said hello and continued along the track where a woman invited us into cottage Gavacovi? for drinks and cake. She didn\u2019t speak any English but the blueberry juice was delicious and just what we needed and there was a large selection of cake that we tried too. She gave us some chocolates too. <\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a>As we sat there, the trio of hikers that had been chasing us went past – they were in the land-rover with the guide. So, not only had they been carrying next to nothing. But they were only doing short sections and were then getting ferried from place to place by land-rover. We\u2019d beaten them anyway and were now sat there in the sunshine chilling with blueberry juice and cake. As we paid and left we were handed half a pear each too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Into Plav<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
From here it was an easy descent into Plav with just a few little ups and a little river crossing. Soon the town of Plav and the lake came into view. It looked very inviting. There were lizards scurrying through the undergrowth all along this trail and plenty of views to keep it interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nThere were haystacks in people\u2019s gardens and people working in the fields on the outskirts and then shops and building works galore. It had been almost nine miles downhill today and we had maintained a decent pace without any issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n