Maja Arapit (Harapit / Arapi) from Theth: Circumnavigation of the great wall
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 13.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 4,334 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Difficult
- Elevation loss
- 4,334 ft
- Max elevation
- 6,376 ft
- TrailRank
-
65
4.7
- Min elevation
- 2,387 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 10 hours 31 minutes
- Coordinates
- 2958
- Uploaded
- November 29, 2012
- Recorded
- June 2012
near Theth, Shkodër (Albania)
Viewed 27740 times, downloaded 935 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
At the foot of the mountain many caves are located, including Albania's longest horizontal cave. Bulgarians explored it to a lenght of 2585m (while rising 346m) and the western trail passes their camp.
See the summitpost entry if you're interested in climbing Arapit.
The track was recorded when guiding a group around Arapit, starting from the Roza Rupa guesthouse. The trail can be shortened by staying at the closest guesthouse (Mirash Kometa) or camping near the trailhead which is a fresh water spring (see waypoints). One can also approach the starting point by car, thus saving more than 9km distance. Be aware that the western approach is difficult to locate, follow the old road and then cairns into the forest.
The western route is rated more difficult as locals discontinued using it, hence the trail is overgrown and half-destroyed - orientation is often difficult, I recommend taking a guide for this part.
The eastern route follows the marked and well trodded donkey path up to Qafa e Pejes at the rim of the plateau from where the summit of Arapit can be scaled (see sepearate track)
It's higly recommended to ascend on the steeper western trail and descend on the good path from Qaf Pejes.
On your way up you will pass two caves, the first one you can enter without special equipment but to advance further caving equipment is required. Near the entrance one will find the prepared camp spots and outdoor kitchen of the cavers.
Skip through the waypoints for more detailed description of the trail.
Expect walking times of around 10h.
Please be cautionous as the western route leads close to a cliff and is often slippery, the high karst plateau on the backside of Arapit (at around 2000m) is often hit be adverse weather conditions.
Waypoints
Cave
4,258 ft
1st cave
It's possible to enter but to advance into further one needs caving equipment. The entrance is a nice place to cool down in the icy breeze on a hot day.
Cave
4,630 ft
2nd cave
Quite a scramble to make it up to the entrance where a steep wall of sharp karst awaits you - rather to be avoided.
Campsite
0 ft
caver's camp
The annual caving expedition from Bulgaria created terraced camp spots and a big outdoor kitchen in the small stretch of vegetation next to the talus. It's possible for you to camp her but (often muddy) fresh water can only be found with the first cave.
Fountain
3,153 ft
drink water source
Year around water source with shady spots inviting you for a break nearby. Start looking for the western route here if you missed the old road further down. The marked trail from here will lead you to Qafa e Pejes.
Waypoint
4,872 ft
follow names carved in trees
Names of visitors in the 90s are you best guide in this terrain.
Waypoint
2,948 ft
last approachable point by car
This is the furthest point cars will take you, from you have to continue on a marked path through the debris / river bed created by seasonal heavy rain fall.
Waypoint
3,898 ft
leave forest
Leave the forest, cross the talus and ascend in the small stretch with vegetation.
Waypoint
4,491 ft
leave rock field
Leave the rock field and turn into the forest again.
Campsite
0 ft
meadow for camping
Plenty of terraced flat camping spots, water source is closeby.
Mountain hut
2,798 ft
Mirash Kometa (closest guesthouse)
Mirash Kometa offers accommodation closest to the trailhead.
Campsite
4,594 ft
overhang rock shelter
The overhang is visibly from afar due to it's colorful rocks. During adverse conditions one can look for shelter here or just stop for picnic.
Campsite
5,644 ft
Qafa e Pejes (highest point)
You reached the highest point, camping here is possibe though there's no clean fresh water source nearby. Keep in mind though that winds can blow over people here!
Waypoint
5,329 ft
rejoin trail, first good views
After you leave the forest try to find the trail, look for tramped down grass and enjoy the views back towards Theth and the Jezerca Massif.
Waypoint
5,781 ft
ruined walls (Rrethi i Vishnes)
The ruined walls of a former stan, a high altiude pasture. Note that this once was the highly frequented main connection between Kelmend and Theth.
Waypoint
5,174 ft
small clearing, turn up
There's no proper way here, fight the scrub!
Waypoint
0 ft
start descend
Start your descend, the route can be difficult to find though and is often pilled with snow until way into summer.
Waypoint
0 ft
tricky
Overgrowth increases watch your way carefully and stay away from the cliff.
Waypoint
5,648 ft
turn off for Maja e Arapit
The turn off for Maja e Arapit is signposted, see the separate trail for directions. Plan to spend 3h for the return walk.
Waypoint
0 ft
turn right
Turn off towards Arapit to cross the karst plateau, especially in late spring and early summer watch out for crevasses. The plateau is often snow covered till August. Orientation here can be difficult keep an eye on Arapit and look for the easiest trails, unfortunately there are no landmarks that help with navigation.
Waypoint
5,453 ft
upper trail / lower towards lake
The trail splits up, follow the lower one to pass the nearby lake (Liqeni i Pejes) or gain height on a softer gradient. The blocks in/near the lake remind me of Lego bricks.
Waypoint
6,207 ft
western Arapit pass (Gryka e Vishnes)
You made it to the western pass at almost 1900m. View to Jezerca & Popluks
Information point
5,587 ft
wooden cross, junction for Gropa te Bukura
At the junction with the wooden cross a signpost reads Gropa te Bukura / Jezerca. It's a 1.5km walk to the springs and shepherd huts and a bit further to the campgrounds. This location is the best starting point for hikes to Jezerca or Popluks.
Comments (3)
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Geografie
Albanie heeft een oppervlakte van +28.000 vierkante kilometer. In het noorden vormen de Alpen de grens met Kosovo In het westen ligt de
Adriatische zee, in het zuiden de Ionische zee en in het osten liggen de Ohrid meer en de Prespa meer, en Macedoni en Grikenland. Het land telt ruim 3.5 miljoen inwoners. De hoofdstad van Albanie is Tirana.
Landschap
Albanie heeft een prachtige natuur. Denk aan de majestueuze Maja e Karanfilave “Alpen “, de glooiende heuvels in het oosten Baba Tomorri en het ruwe berglandschap van de Mirdita. Ongeveer driekwart van Albanie is bergachtig, ruim 40% procent is bebost, In het noorden liggen de grote bergen waaronder het Malesia e Madhe, Kelmendi.
Het klimaat in Albanie
Albanie heeft voor het grootste deel een mediterraan klimaat met warme zomers en zachte winters. In het noorden is het kouder dan in het zuiden. Het klimaat in het noorden is enigszins vergelijkbaar met dat in Nederland, maar met koudere winters en warmere zomers. In de Alpen en Malesia heerst een hooggebergteklimaat en valt vaak sneeuw. Op Saranda, Dhermiu is het gemiddeld warmer dan in de rest van Albanie en valt minder neerslag. https://www.wikiloc.com/outdoor-trails/maja-arapit-harapit-arapi-from-theth-circumnavigation-of-the-great-wall-3666422#wp-3666424/photo-1676098
I have followed this trail verified View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
Did this trail early June, the instructions were very detailed and easy to follow. We camped the night approximately half way through the loop. We had to camp on snow and spent a lot of time walking on snow. Would recommend camping on either of the passes.
Hey
Please tell me, do I need a 4 by 4 in order to get to the guesthouse Hirash Kometa?
And further on to the last reachable point by car, as you indicated?
Thank you very much