Mali i Brarit is the source of endless delight. Mali i Brarit has been the mountain to which we returned most frequently, and which we enjoyed every time. From the west, Brar Mountain can be climbed from either Brar village or Priske e Vogël - or PeV in case you wondered. The normal route to the plateau and either of the...

When in Gjirokaster, Cajupi is right in your face, and the people of Gjirokaster get excited when talking about it - or hearing about your intention to make it to its summit. Still, we are not aware that Cajupi is climbed very often by visitors, though shepherds are going there regularly as evidenced by the many water holes on and...

A half-day hike to one of the most impressive water falls in Albania. Quite eerily, the water emerges straight out of the rock. Sotirë falls are in fact two falls: one coming from higher-up, and slim. The other straight out of the rock face, broad and wild. Naturally, the falls are biggest in spring, when the melting snow of...

Mali i Polisit, for all its bulk, is a rather inconspicious mountain. For once, many people will not even notice that it is there, as it consists mainly of a high, seemingly flat plateau. Those driving from Elbasan to Librazhd through the Shkumbin valley only see its lowest slopes. Mali i Polisit doesn't have a...

We found a trail from Rrëja e Velës to the main summit of Mali i Velës, the widely visible mountain behind Lezha town. We had climbed Mali i Velës before, from the village of Kalumet, from where a path leads to the weatherstation on the northern end of the main Velës Ridge (see separate trail). Then there was no time to...

The Ishmi River Canyon - or probably better known as Zeza canyon - winds its way between Kruja and Gomnit mountains. There are two bridges over the Ishmi River - one at the entrance to the canyon, and one in the middle of it - showing the importance of the old trading route. In ancient times, part of the track used to be paved...

I quote from the excellent guide book to Azerbaijan from Mark Elliott: "Like cows, mud vulcanoes constantly fart flammable gases.They also like throwing gobs of mud and streaming forth watery flows with a vigor that varies seasonally. This behaviour is gently amusing rather than life threatening. Mud vulcanoes are cold and have...

A short drive (about 14 kilometer) from Gilazi on the main road connecting Baku and Quba are the Candy Cane Mountains. The mountains have beautiful rose and white stripes and swirls, and are littered with small conical fossils. We had only a few minutes, but there is enough to see for a day excursion! For...

We were mentally prepared for some high-summit mountain hike, but not for the bad weather that engulfed Azerbaijan in mid-April. So we were left to exploring the village of Xinaliq - which at 2200 meter elevation requires a day of acclimatization anyway - and some easy hiking to some nearby sights. Xinaliq village is said...

This is a relatively short, easy hike using part of the very long Priske ridge. The hike is for those who don't need to climb the highest mountain tops, but still wish to enjoy some peaceful hiking along ridges with very good views into all directions. The hike along the ridge is very easy to follow. When descending, the trail...

This hike to a beautiful waterfall near Krrabë is proof that you can't have your cake and eat it. The waterfall is only there after a good heavy rain - or an entire season of rain! But then, the trails are muddy, and it will not be easy to cross all those little streams that are in your way, and which make up the waterfall....

The area west of Petrele (or west of the Tirana - Elbasan road) is not an area really known for its touristic attraction. Life is hard for the farmers everywhere except in the fertile valleys of the Zhulima Valley. The entire area is subject to heavy erosion, which makes it difficult to eak out a living. For the adventurous...

Mali i Shiragut - previously known as "Enver Hoxha Mountain" is the little brother of well known Tomorri. Shpiragut is seen prominently when approaching Berat, though the gaze of the visiting tourist is usually attracted to the much more dramatic Tomorri. But as so often, the best views are not to be had from the highest...

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...