Accursed Mountains circuit – 4 days of stunning views

· updated · 3 min read
Satellite map of the Accursed Mountains circuit linking Valbona, Vusanje and Theth
Accursed Mountains circuit, Albania
Distance
64.6 km
Time
4 days
Ascent
+3,983 m
Descent
−3,815 m
High point
2,524 m
Difficulty
Moderate

The route

Accursed Mountains circuit, on the map

From my own GPX track. Move along the elevation profile or along the line on the map: both show the same point.

Distance64.6km
Time4 days
Ascent+3,983m
Descent−3,815m
High point2,524m
DifficultyModerate

Walking time at your paceAn estimate without breaks, worked out from the distance and the climb.

  • Relaxed36 h 15 min
  • Average29 h
  • Fast23 h 10 min

Elevation

Elevation profile of Accursed Mountains circuit – 4 days of stunning viewsStarts at 940 m, climbs 3,983 m in total to a high point of 2,433 m after 7.4 km, and finishes at 1,108 m; 53.4 km in all.1,000 m2,000 m0 km10 km20 km30 km40 km50 kmValbonaFinish

How steep

  • 24.9 kmUnder 8%
  • 10.5 km8 to 15%
  • 9.0 km15 to 25%
  • 9.1 kmOver 25%

In two parts

Download the GPXPrint for the trailDirections to the start

Embed this map

Paste this into your page or post (in WordPress: a Custom HTML block). The map stays up to date with the guide, and the link under it leads your readers to the full guide.

What to pack19 things, for a summit, a long day, nights on the way

Every hike

For the summit

For a long day

Nights on the way

The light for photographs

Today at Rosi Peak: sunrise 06:19, sunset 16:29.

Today at Rosi Peak: sunrise 06:19, sunset 16:29.

At Rosi Peak, 2,433 m, in local time (Europe/Tirane), with an open horizon: the mountains around can hide the sun sooner.

In short

This four-day, 64.6 km circuit passes through Valbona, Vusanje and Theth in Albania and Montenegro. The moderate route gains 3,983 m and reaches 2,524 m. The hiking season runs from mid-May to mid-November.

I think this is one of the best circuits of the Accursed Mountains. It is a pass-through three beautiful valleys, Valbona, Vusanje, and Theth Valley, and two countries between Montenegro to Albania. Check out the details of the Accursed Mountains circuit:

Day 1: Hike from Valbona to Vusanje via Rosi Pass (Rosi peak)

Valbona to Vusanje is one of the best trails of the Accursed Mountains. Regardless of the fact that it is not very popular (like Valbona to Theth), I think it is more beautiful. This hike is not only a pass from a village to another village, but it is also a pass-through two beautiful Valleys, Valbona Valley to Vusanje Valley, and it is a pass from the country of Montenegro to Albania. When you reach Rosi Pass, if you have energy, I would highly suggest going to the Rosi peak 2’524. The view from the top is breathtaking:

View from Rosi Peak across rugged Accursed Mountains valleys beneath a cloudy sky

Read more about this trail here.

Points of interest: 

Starting altitude: 938 m/alt
Highest altitude: 2’524 m/alt
Elevation gain: 1’605 m

Day 1: Valbona – Maja e Rosit – Rosi Pass – Vusanje17.0 km · +1,567 m · −1,185 m · 2,433 m high · about 9 h 45 min walking
Elevation
Elevation profile of Accursed Mountains circuit – 4 days of stunning viewsStarts at 940 m, climbs 1,567 m in total to a high point of 2,433 m after 8.0 km, and finishes at 1,321 m; 14.0 km in all.1,000 m2,000 m0 km2 km4 km6 km8 km10 km12 kmValbonaRosi Peak · 2,433 mFinish
Download the GPXDirections to the start

Day 2: Hike from Vusanje to Theth via Peja Pass

A hiker sits on a rocky ledge above Theth Valley and its forested mountains beneath cloudy skies

In my opinion, this is the most beautiful day. This hike is not only a pass from a village to another village, but it is also a pass-through two beautiful Valleys, Vusanje Valley to Theth Valley, and it is a pass from the country of Montenegro to Albania. So, you have the chance to cross the border with a view!

The best landscape is from Peja Pass 1’865 m/alt. From there you can see the beautiful Valley of Theth.

Points of interest: 

Starting altitude: 790 m/alt
Highest altitude: 1’865 m/alt
Elevation gain: 1’092 m

Day 1: Vusanje – Qafa e Pejës – Theth18.1 km · +566 m · −1,080 m · 1,723 m high · about 6 h 35 min walking
Elevation
Elevation profile of Accursed Mountains circuit – 4 days of stunning viewsStarts at 1,297 m, climbs 566 m in total to a high point of 1,721 m after 6.0 km, and finishes at 783 m; 15.1 km in all.1,000 m1,500 m0 km2 km4 km6 km8 km10 km12 km14 kmValbonaRosi Peak · 1,721 mFinish
Download the GPXDirections to the start

Day 3: Hike around Theth National Park

Turquoise water rushes through a rocky gorge framed by green foliage at Grunas Waterfall in Theth

Theth National Park is one of the most isolated places in Albania and offers access to the most pristine landscape along with a rich history of the highlands that lay uninfluenced by outsiders for centuries. What you will find is a small community that lives off the land, surrounded by magnificent mountains. Read more here.

Day 3: Theth – Grunas Waterfall – Blue Eye Kappre10.3 km · +510 m · −641 m · 820 m high · about 4 h 15 min walking
Elevation
Elevation profile of Accursed Mountains circuit – 4 days of stunning viewsStarts at 739 m, climbs 510 m in total to a high point of 820 m after 2.1 km, and finishes at 608 m; 10.3 km in all.600 m800 m0 km1 km2 km3 km4 km5 km6 km7 km8 km9 km10 kmValbonaRosi Peak · 820 mFinish
Download the GPXDirections to the start

Day 4: Hike from Theth National Park to Valbona Valley

A hiker overlooks the green Valbona Valley and rugged peaks beneath a cloudy sky

Theth to Valbona is one of the most beautiful and popular hikes in the Accursed Mountains (Prokletije). During this hike, you will enjoy the views of the Theth Valley and Valbona Valley. This hike is a moderate one, and the path is open from the middle of May until the middle of November. The highest peak of this trail is Qafa e Valbones (Valbona pass) and the altitude is around 1’795 m/alt. You can read more here.

Points of interest: 

Starting altitude: 800 m/alt
Highest altitude: 1’795 m/alt
Elevation gain: 900 m

Day 4: Theth – Vabona Pass – Valbonë13.1 km · +1,142 m · −840 m · 1,948 m high · about 7 h 10 min walking
Elevation
Elevation profile of Accursed Mountains circuit – 4 days of stunning viewsStarts at 806 m, climbs 1,142 m in total to a high point of 1,948 m after 6.1 km, and finishes at 1,108 m; 13.1 km in all.1,000 m1,500 m2,000 m0 km2 km4 km6 km8 km10 km12 kmValbonaRosi Peak · 1,948 mFinish
Download the GPXDirections to the start

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