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For the trail · alpventurer.com/jezerca-lakes-valbona

Jezerca lakes from Valbona, a challenging off-trail hike

Jezerca lakes from Valbona · Albania

Difficulty
Challenging
Water
Last water source in Kukaj village

In short

This challenging off-trail hike goes from Valbona in Albania to the Jezerca lakes. The post gives a distance of 10 km and a high point of 2,150 m at the pass; the last water source is in Kukaj village.

The route

Distance
10.0 km
Ascent
+1,188 m
Descent
−392 m
High point
2,150 m
Lowest point
902 m

A Valbona: 42.45036, 19.88818B Jezerca lakes: 42.46836, 19.81713▲ The pass (the pyramid): 42.47331, 19.83743

Elevation profile of Jezerca lakes from Valbona, a challenging off-trail hikeStarts at 902 m, climbs 1,188 m in total to a high point of 1,986 m after 7.0 km, and finishes at 1,698 m; 9.5 km in all.1,000 m1,500 m2,000 m0 km1 km2 km3 km4 km5 km6 km7 km8 km9 kmValbonaThe pass (the pyramid) · 1,986 mJezerca lakes

Walking time, without breaks

  • Relaxed7 h 30 min
  • Average6 h
  • Fast4 h 50 min

How steep

  • Under 8% 2.5 km
  • 8 to 15% 2.5 km
  • 15 to 25% 2.6 km
  • Over 25% 1.9 km

In two parts

  • Up to The pass (the pyramid) 7.0 km · +1,085 m
  • Down to Jezerca lakes 2.5 km · −369 m

What to pack

Every hike

  • Water: about 2.5 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

Water and sun

  • Swimsuit and a quick-dry towel, if you fancy a dip

The guide

Jezerca lakes (also called as Buni i Jezercës) is an amazing outdoor destination located near the highest peak of the Accursed Mountains (Prokletije), Maja Jezercë. The easiest way to go to the lakes is from Vusanje in Montenegro. But, if you want an off-trail adventure, then you definitely should try going from Valbona Valley National Park in Albania.

A hiker stands in a turquoise lake beneath the rocky peaks and green slopes of the Jezerca Lakes

How to get to Valbona Valley National Park

Valbona Valley is 22 km from the city called Bajram Curri. Reaching Bajram Curri from Tirana takes around four hours. The bus station in Tirana is in front of Asllan Rusi Sports Center. 

Another way to reach Bajram Curri is from Prishtina, Kosovo. First, you go from Prishtina Main Bus Station to Gjakova Bus station and then from Gjakova take the bus to Bajram Curri.

About the Jezerca lakes hike

A hiker above a turquoise lake beneath the rocky peaks of the Jezerca Lakes in Albania
The hike to Jezerca lakes starts from the Valbona National Park, near the school. You take the path to Kukaj village, where you can find the last water source. Then the trail runs through boulders and meadows, eventually entering the beech forest until you reach a small grassy plateau with a mountain hut. From here the hike becomes steeper and the ascent to the northwest leads to the pass at 2150m altitude. After you reach the pass (also called the pyramid) turn left, and start descending into an off-trail. Total distance from the pyramid to Jezerca lakes is around 3 km, and the elevation loss is around 390 m. The total distance from Valbona to the lakes is 10 km.

Points of interest:

Starting point: Valbona Valley National Park.

Starting altitude: 901 m/alt

Elevation gain: 1’188 m

Elevation loss: 392 m