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For the trail · alpventurer.com/maja-e-kollates

Maja e Kollatës, the stunning views of the Valbona Valley

Maja e Kollatës · Montenegro

Difficulty
Hard
Season
Summer
Water
Valbona River is the last source; carry around 3–4 litres

In short

Maja e Kollatës is a 2,556 m peak on the Albania-Montenegro border, reached on this hard hike from Valbona Valley. The route is 17 km, with 1,581 m of ascent and 1,720 m of descent. The Valbona River is the last water source, so carry around 3-4 litres; the guide recommends hiking in summer.

The route

Distance
17.0 km
Ascent
+1,581 m
Descent
−1,720 m
High point
2,556 m
Lowest point
930 m

A Jezerca Guest House: 42.46799, 19.88878B Finish: 42.45281, 19.89229▲ Maja e Kollatës: 42.48443, 19.89589

Elevation profile of Maja e Kollatës, the stunning views of the Valbona ValleyStarts at 1,514 m, climbs 1,581 m in total to a high point of 2,461 m after 5.5 km, and finishes at 930 m; 13.5 km in all.1,000 m2,000 m0 km2 km4 km6 km8 km10 km12 kmJezerca Guest HouseMaja e Kollatës · 2,461 mFinish

Walking time, without breaks

  • Relaxed13 h 35 min
  • Average10 h 50 min
  • Fast8 h 40 min

How steep

  • Under 8% 2.7 km
  • 8 to 15% 3.4 km
  • 15 to 25% 4.1 km
  • Over 25% 3.3 km

In two parts

  • Up to Maja e Kollatës 5.5 km · +1,065 m
  • Down to the finish 8.0 km · −1,610 m

What to pack

Every hike

  • Water: about 3.5 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

The guide

Hiking to Kollata peak (Maja e Kollatës) is one of the most beautiful and challenging hikes in the Accursed Mountains. The peak is located in the border between Montenegro and Albania and it is part of Kolata massif. The elevation of this peak is 2’556 m/alt. There are several paths to go to Kollata peak, but I will explain the one from Valbona National Park.

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.

Where to sleep and eat

In Valbona Valley there are a lot of Guest Houses, which are cheap, traditional, cozy and they serve you very delicious food. During the summer, the Guesthouses are usually full of tourists, so make sure to book them early.

About the Valbona to Maja e Kollatës hike

Maja e Kollates

The starting point for this trail is in front of Jezerca Guest House, near the trail which leads you to Rosi peak. First of all, you will cross the Valbona River, which is the last water source for this hike. After this, you will follow the path to a small Valley. On the left side, you will see Maja e Thatë peak (2’406 m/alt), one of the most difficult mountain peaks to climb in the Accursed Mountains. You follow the path which leads you to a rocky hill, where you need to use your hands to climb, clearly, this is the most difficult part. However, after this, you will be at the top of Kolata massif. There you can climb the Maja e Kollatës peak (2’556 m/alt), Kollata e keqe (also known as Zla Kolata 2’534 m/alt) and Kollata e mirë (also known as Dobra Kolata 2’528 m/alt).

A hiker overlooks the Valbona Valley from a rocky ridge beneath a clear blue sky

After you reach the Maja e Kollatës peak, you can continue straight to a part called the Balcony. Surely the most beautiful part of the trail, where you can enjoy the stunning views of the Valbona Valley. I think there is the best view of this valley comparatively to all other peaks. The terrain is rocky and in some places slippery, for this reason, this peak is usually climbed during the summer. It is climbed very rarely during the winter. Total distance is 17 km.

In general, it is a  difficult hike. The main thing to remember is that there isn’t any water source on this trail, so make sure you have enough water, and take around 3-4 liters.

Points of interest:

Starting point: Valbona Valley, Albania

Starting altitude: 975 m/alt

Highest altitude: 2’556 m/alt

Elevation gain: 1’581 m/alt