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For the trail · alpventurer.com/accursed-mountains-circuit

Accursed Mountains circuit – 4 days of stunning views

Accursed Mountains circuit · Albania

Time
4 days
Difficulty
Moderate
Season
Middle of May to middle of November
Parking
Free

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.

The route

Distance
64.6 km
Ascent
+3,983 m
Descent
−3,815 m
High point
2,524 m
Lowest point
488 m

A Valbona: 42.45043, 19.88848B Finish: 42.42595, 19.87062▲ Rosi Peak: 42.47936, 19.85042

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

Walking time, without breaks

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

How steep

  • Under 8% 24.9 km
  • 8 to 15% 10.5 km
  • 15 to 25% 9.0 km
  • Over 25% 9.1 km

In two parts

  • Up to Rosi Peak 7.4 km · +1,492 m
  • Down to the finish 46.0 km · −3,572 m

What to pack

Every hike

  • Water: about 4 litres (half a litre an hour)
  • Rain jacket
  • A warm layer (fleece or light down)
  • Sun cap, sunglasses and sun cream
  • Boots or trail shoes with good grip
  • Phone with the map offline, and a power bank
  • Small first aid kit
  • Headlamp, in case it gets late
  • Some cash and your ID

For the summit

  • Hat and gloves: it is colder and windier at the top
  • Walking poles, for the way down

For a long day

  • Lunch, and a snack for every two hours
  • Salty snacks or electrolytes
  • Blister plasters

Nights on the way

  • Sleeping bag liner (a sleeping bag where the hut has none)
  • Dry clothes for the evening
  • Toothbrush, small towel and earplugs
  • Cash for huts and guesthouses
  • Your bookings

The guide

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 - Vusanje

Distance
17.0 km
Ascent
+1,567 m
Descent
−1,185 m
High point
2,433 m
Lowest point
939 m

A Valbona: 42.45043, 19.88848B Finish: 42.48954, 19.81531▲ High point: 42.47936, 19.85042

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

Walking time, without breaks

  • Relaxed12 h 10 min
  • Average9 h 45 min
  • Fast7 h 45 min

How steep

  • Under 8% 2.9 km
  • 8 to 15% 3.5 km
  • 15 to 25% 4.2 km
  • Over 25% 3.3 km

In two parts

  • Up to the high point 8.0 km · +1,494 m
  • Down to the finish 6.0 km · −1,182 m

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 - Theth

Distance
18.1 km
Ascent
+566 m
Descent
−1,080 m
High point
1,723 m
Lowest point
783 m

A Valbona: 42.48749, 19.80072B Finish: 42.39289, 19.77778▲ High point: 42.45184, 19.76907

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

Walking time, without breaks

  • Relaxed8 h 10 min
  • Average6 h 35 min
  • Fast5 h 15 min

How steep

  • Under 8% 8.5 km
  • 8 to 15% 2.0 km
  • 15 to 25% 3.0 km
  • Over 25% 1.5 km

In two parts

  • Up to the high point 6.0 km · +484 m
  • Down to the finish 9.1 km · −1,018 m

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 Kappre

Distance
10.3 km
Ascent
+510 m
Descent
−641 m
High point
820 m
Lowest point
488 m

A Valbona: 42.38919, 19.78125B Finish: 42.36454, 19.74639▲ High point: 42.37746, 19.79471

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

Walking time, without breaks

  • Relaxed5 h 20 min
  • Average4 h 15 min
  • Fast3 h 25 min

How steep

  • Under 8% 6.2 km
  • 8 to 15% 2.6 km
  • 15 to 25% 0.9 km
  • Over 25% 0.7 km

In two parts

  • Up to the high point 2.1 km · +173 m
  • Down to the finish 8.3 km · −560 m

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 - Valbonë

Distance
13.1 km
Ascent
+1,142 m
Descent
−840 m
High point
1,948 m
Lowest point
806 m

A Valbona: 42.39778, 19.77208B Finish: 42.42595, 19.87062▲ High point: 42.40388, 19.81813

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

Walking time, without breaks

  • Relaxed8 h 55 min
  • Average7 h 10 min
  • Fast5 h 40 min

How steep

  • Under 8% 5.3 km
  • 8 to 15% 3.0 km
  • 15 to 25% 1.9 km
  • Over 25% 2.9 km

In two parts

  • Up to the high point 6.1 km · +1,144 m
  • Down to the finish 7.1 km · −840 m

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