Along the Edge - Maja e Strakovecit
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 2.47 mi
- Elevation gain
- 125 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 2,241 ft
- Max elevation
- 6,417 ft
- TrailRank
-
59
4.9
- Min elevation
- 4,331 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Time
- 3 hours 4 minutes
- Coordinates
- 464
- Uploaded
- October 3, 2012
- Recorded
- September 2012
near Labova e Madhe, Gjirokastër (Albania)
Viewed 8114 times, downloaded 148 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
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 a different matter. Seen from there, a lot of drama unfolds, with steep cliffs and deep ravines.
Maja e Strakovecit is the northern summit of the Lunxherise, spearated from the 14 kilometer distant main summit by the pass to Fushë e Cajupit. Fushë Cajupt is a vast grazing area. It is so productive that an asphalt road has been built to an altitude of 1300 Meter, giving convenient access to Strakovecit.
While not particularly strenuous, a hike to the summit of Strakovecit is a hike along the edge. We hiked it when clouds were swirling around the ridge, hiding the vertical drops and steep summit cliffs until we stepped on them. Perhaps, with different weather, the route may be considered more easy - or more intimidating, depending on your feel for heights.
At the top of the mountain, we were not sure about the true summit, and ventured out onto some cliffs. This can be fun - or not. It is not necessary anyway, as the true summit is on the top of the grassy ridge.
The views are extraordinary. Although measured at only 1956 Meter, Maja e Strakovecit offers sights of almost everything that may interest mountaineers in southern Albania. And, of course, into the broad valleys of Zagoria, the Gjirokastra plains, the cannabis-producing town of Lazarat and other points of interest.
Because of the good access road, and the not very long distance to the summit, the hike can be done easily from an overnight in Gjirokastra.
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 a different matter. Seen from there, a lot of drama unfolds, with steep cliffs and deep ravines.
Maja e Strakovecit is the northern summit of the Lunxherise, spearated from the 14 kilometer distant main summit by the pass to Fushë e Cajupit. Fushë Cajupt is a vast grazing area. It is so productive that an asphalt road has been built to an altitude of 1300 Meter, giving convenient access to Strakovecit.
While not particularly strenuous, a hike to the summit of Strakovecit is a hike along the edge. We hiked it when clouds were swirling around the ridge, hiding the vertical drops and steep summit cliffs until we stepped on them. Perhaps, with different weather, the route may be considered more easy - or more intimidating, depending on your feel for heights.
At the top of the mountain, we were not sure about the true summit, and ventured out onto some cliffs. This can be fun - or not. It is not necessary anyway, as the true summit is on the top of the grassy ridge.
The views are extraordinary. Although measured at only 1956 Meter, Maja e Strakovecit offers sights of almost everything that may interest mountaineers in southern Albania. And, of course, into the broad valleys of Zagoria, the Gjirokastra plains, the cannabis-producing town of Lazarat and other points of interest.
Because of the good access road, and the not very long distance to the summit, the hike can be done easily from an overnight in Gjirokastra.
Waypoints
Car park
4,331 ft
Waypoint
Summit
Campsite
Fountain
Comments (5)
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I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
Easily accessible trail with interest from start, big reward for modest effort. Views exceptional, even if only doing first half of ascent to camp.
I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Easy
Easy trail full of fantastic views. The road up to the pass near Cajupi Field is all asphalted and can be done with a small car following the road Gjirokaster - Erind - Rruga e Cajupit up to the pass where the trail starts. All trail is market with white-red-white color by me :) Be carefull of shepherd dogs before you reach the summit.
I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
I've done half of this trail with my 2 kids (9 and 11), Very nice views, easy path (although necessary to have good shoes due to the rocks), I could find very easily the start thanks to red/white markings (thanks to anyone did it!)
I have followed this trail verified View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
Excellent trail offering stunning views to all directions, easily accessible by car via a paved road.
When approaching, just pay attention in Erind and keep right, otherwise navigation might lead you through the village ending on a dirt road even challenging for 4WD. In the mountains basically just follow the mountain ridge.
Bring good hiking boots and a decent wind breaker!
Beautiful easy hike with great views. Not much of a trail, just follow along the ridge to get amazing views of the mountains.
If you get the app to give you directions to the trail head, Google maps will take you way past the start of the hike - it’s one of the last switch backs on the road, and you pull off by a water reservoir on the right.