You would not necessarily associate Korbit Mountain with ice-crusted mountaineers dangling from taut ropes. For a starter, with about 540 meter altitude it is not of memorable height, especially as an easy 4WD road leads to the village of Shpatë at 360 meter. And then the path is wide most of the time, though you can build in as...

This is a long trail of almost 16 kilometer, requiring good orientation, river crossings (in winter), and other obstacles. But then, you will be rewarded with many experiences and some good (in)sights into what must be the most remote area west of Tirana. Our original route-finding experience extended to 18.3 kilometer and more...

January and February of 2013 were particularly rainy in Tirana, and it was difficult to catch a weekend with benign weather. At one of those, we "ticked" Mali i Fagut, a mountain that is not very visible from Tirana, as it hides behind the front range made up of Dajti Mountain, Priske Mountain and so on. For those who ventured...

After two months inactivity, caused by rain, work and travel, we finally got a nice sunny winter Sunday. We opted for a slow start - a ramble - in the hills on the west side of the Durishit Ridge. We always thought to do this or a similar when nobody had a really good idea. But this hike is a good idea! It opens up to the hiker...

We had to go to Bishkek for business, and took 4 days off for a trip around Lake Issyk-Kul. This in November, it was too late in the year, the days were too short and the weather too unstable to venture into the high mountains. But we still managed to see the magnificant scenery of Kyrgyzstan, the special colours of fall, many...

A short stroll or a 3 hour hike, depending on where you start. Unlike most other hikes in Albania, this has the options of having a drink or a meal at the trailhead or somewhere around. There are superb views across Tirana, the Lake and towards Dajti and the mountain chain east of Tirana. We got the idea of this hike from...

From the distance, Mali i Munellës looks like a giant tooth, like a molar sticking out of the gums. That is, of course, if you know where Munelle is, and from where to look for it. Munelle is the highest point of Lezhe Region. It sits between Fushe Arrëz and the new Autobahn connecting Rreshen and Kukes. As the highway runs...

What looks like something from one side may look a different matter from the other side. Mali i Lunxherise is one of those two-faced mountains. Lunxherise is the mountain range east of Gjirokastra. It looks not like much from Gjirokastra - more or less like a humangeous loaf of bread - but from the Zagoria valley it becomes...

Hardly anyone seems to know where Ostrovicë Mountain is. There is even wild disagreement on various maps as to its altitude or the highest point of its long summit ridge. From all the mountains in the south of Albania, Ostrovicë must rank among the most remote, certainly among the most beautiful, and also among the most...

The Shebenik-Jabllanica National Park is one of the largest National Parks in Albania. It is in a fairly remote corner along the border with Macedonia. The area has great touristic potential, but as of writing, infrastructure is minimal. There are some tourist huts being built in Stebleve, and we were told they will open in winter...

The town of Bulqize is not known for its hiking potential, but for its chromium mines. Mali e Lopës, the mountain that looms large south of Bulqize, has been mined for many decades. Mining is hard work and often hazardous, and while it provides jobs, the conditions and remuneration will remain an issue until properly regulated...

Tomorri is probably the best known mountain in Albania. It has religious significance, and there is a shrine on the (lower) south summit, also called Mali i Kurbanit or Mali i Babait. The south summit is separated from the higher north summit - called Cuka Partizan - by a 10 kilometer long ridge. The ridge is difficult and the...

Thethi is often referred to as the Chamonix of the Albanian Alps, and it is said that it receives up to 10,000 visitors a year. The upgrade of Albania by the Lonely Planet to a top destination in 2011 has certainly contributed to Thethibecoming a "boom" tourist destination. . While Thethi certainly is a top destination for...

A perennial favorite for many people in and an around Tirana. The hike starts at the south end of Priske Mountain (the mountain south to Dajti, or right from Dajti when seen from Tirana). It climbs the south-end of the mountain, which affords good views towards Pellumba Cave which also is a worthwhile outing. From the top...

Mali me Gropa (the mountain with holes) is a major mountain in the hinterland of Tirana. Behind Dajti mountain, there are few villages and travel is generally difficult. New asphalt roads around thehighlands made travel through the mountains unncessary, and the old dirt roads are falling into disrepair. Mali me Gropa is a...

We are not too sure about the correct name of this mountain, in the hinterland of Tirana. While it seems to be close to Tirana, it takes almost two hours to drive there. Mali i Snoijt can be seen - and it always visible as a distinct pyramid - from any part of the Martanesh area, and from mountains much farther away. The...

A hike to Maja e Bukanikut, the highpoint of the Mali i Shpatit (Shpat Mountain Range), From the summit of Bukanikut, one can see down to Elbasan and - depending on weather and visibility - the Adriatic Sea. Bukanik is for Elbasan what Dajti is for Tirana. It should be possible, in case no 4WD is available to reach the...

There might be as many Guri i Zi's (black rocks) in Albania as there are white rocks or red rocks. To our knowledge, this 'black rock' is the highest, topping out at way over 2000 Meter. Guri i Zi is one of the prominent highpoints on the western side of Shkumbin valley. Its striking formation is only recognized from...

Allamani mountain is not overly prominent, and more people climb it to look for minerals than simply enjoying its beauty and fresh air. There are many beautiful lakes on the plateau near the summit, inviting the visitor to stay longer. Allamani remains a great mountain, and the described combination of a 4WD track to some mines...

Mali e Dejes dominates the landscape between Burrel, Peshkopi, Puka and Rreshen. It is visible even from further afar, weather permitting, such as from Dajti Mountain and Mount Korab. Most likely, it is one of the most striking mountains of Albania, because of its good visibility and position. It has a steep eastern side, dropping...