Kalabak peak, a fairytale hike along the colorful trail

· updated · 2 min read
Rolling green hills and distant mountain ranges around Kalabak peak beneath a bright blue summer sky
Kalabak peak, Albania
Distance
23.0 km
Ascent
+1,058 m
Descent
−1,050 m
High point
2,174 m
Season
All seasonsespecially early summer
Water
One water source along the trailtake around 3 litres

The route

Kalabak peak, 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.

Distance23.0km
Ascent+1,058m
Descent−1,050m
High point2,174m

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

  • Relaxed10 h 40 min
  • Average8 h 35 min
  • Fast6 h 50 min

Elevation

Elevation profile of Kalabak peak, a fairytale hike along the colorful trailStarts at 1,335 m, climbs 1,058 m in total to a high point of 2,127 m after 11.4 km, and finishes at 1,334 m; 22.0 km in all.1,500 m2,000 m0 km5 km10 km15 km20 kmShishtavecKalabak peak · 2,127 m

How steep

  • 10.5 kmUnder 8%
  • 6.3 km8 to 15%
  • 4.7 km15 to 25%
  • 0.5 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 pack14 things, for a summit, a long day

Every hike

For the summit

For a long day

The light for photographs

Today at Kalabak peak: sunrise 06:08, sunset 16:33.

Today at Kalabak peak: sunrise 06:08, sunset 16:33.

At Kalabak peak, 2,127 m, in local time (Europe/Tirane), with an open horizon: the mountains around can hide the sun sooner.

In short

Kalabak is a 2,174 m peak on the Albania-Kosovo border, reached from Shishtavec on a 23 km hike with 1,058 m of ascent. The route is suitable in all seasons, especially early summer. There is one water source along the trail, so take around 3 litres.

Kalabak peak trail is part of the Sharr Mountains and High Scardus trail and it is one of the most beautiful and colorful hikes around. Located right in the border between Kosovo and Albania, this trail links the village of Shishtavec and Caje in Albania. It is around 2200 years old, and during the Roman empire, it was called Scardus. The name Scardus comes from Latin which means colorful.

A hiker sits on a rocky ridge above rolling green hills near Kalabak peak under a cloud-filled blue sky

How to get there

The starting point for this trail is near the village of Shishtavec in Albania. Shishtavec is 32 km from the city of Kukës, Albania, and 60 km from Prizren, Kosovo. Once you reach the first exit from the highway, take right, along the beautiful canyon. Close to Shishtavec, you can find Brekije village as well, where you can find the starting point for a more challenging but equally beautiful hike, as the one to Mount Gjallica (2489 m/alt), which is called the Balcony of Northern Albania.

About the Kalabak peak hike

Rolling green hills and distant mountain ranges around Kalabak peak beneath a bright blue summer sky

HIking to Kalabak peak is fantastic and very beautiful. Walking through beautiful alpine meadows may look like you are into a real Teletubbies land. You start from Shishtavec going up, and then along the border between Kosovo and Albania. When you reach around 2000 meters, you will be able to see very beautiful views and enjoy one of the best hikes around.

When you reach Kalabak, you can continue walking, and arrive at the village of Caje, or if you want a loop hike, go back to Shishtavec.

Rolling green hills and distant mountain ridges around Kalabak peak beneath a bright blue sky

This trail is beautiful during all the seasons, especially in early summer, because of a lot of flowers. There is only one water source along the trail, so take around 3 liters of water.

During all the trail you will have signs, and the path is very visible if you follow the normal route. On my way back, I went through the village of Bafa, and a very dense forest was there without any normal trail. I wouldn’t suggest taking that path!  The distance of this trail is around 23 km.

Points of interest:
Starting point: Shishtavec, Albania
Starting altitude: 1’058 m/alt
Highest altitude: 2’174 m/alt
Elevation gain: 1’058 m/alt

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Granit Temaj

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