The Pashtrik Traverse

Pashtrik is the "third" high mountain near Kukes (next to Gjallica and Koritnik - see separate trails). The other two are higher, but the views from Pashtrik are as dramatic. The upper reaches of Pashtrik are more rocky than those of the other two.

Pashtrik is more often climbed from the Kosovo side; there is a shrine on the summit. The last 150 elevation-meter to the summit are marked with white dots and red circles, presumably owing to the activities of a Kosovo mountain club.

You may climb to the summit and back on the same trail. We included a traverse across the "second summit " - the part of Pashtrik that is most visible from Krume. There might be various ways to return - but which ever way you take (if you take it in early summer), the meadows are strewn with wildflowers.

For a climb from Albania, it is best to start from Kishaj, in Has district.   This trail, for which a 4WD is recommended but not stricyly necessary, leads from Krume to the villages of Cahan, Mujaj and Kishaj, at an altitude of about 1000 meter. The area has some touristic potential. A campground is under construction (we hope that construction will continue) in Mujaj, and the plateau provides many possibilities for hikes in the forests and, of course, the beautiful mountain of Pashtrik.  Note that the location shown in google earth as Kishaj is Mujaj

The area used to be mined during the Kosovo crisis of 1999. The last incident happened in 2003. Since, minesweeping operations were underway, and have handed over the area back to the community many years ago. There are many trails, from herds as well as men, on and across the mountain and we personally felt safe.

When you hike Pashtrik, you should park your car in the village of Cahan or Kishaj and notify someone - as our car was broken into while left unattended.

For more detail, visit:  http://www.palmtreeproduction.com/Hikes%20and%20Climbs/Albania%20Climbs/Pashtrik/Pashtrik%20Gallery.html  .  

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Note that the location shown in google earth as Kishaj is Mujaj.