Maja e Poplukës 2569 m/alt, impressive hiking trip

The guide

Maja e Poplukës is a hard mountain route from Valbonë Valley in the Accursed Mountains, Albania. The recorded route covers 16.3 km with 1,620 m of ascent to 2,569 m, and my route notes allow around 10 h to reach the summit.

Also known as Maja e Popluks, Papluka and Popljuces, the peak is barely visible from either valley but comes into view when climbing Qafa e Pejes or Qafa e Valbones. For me, the views in every direction make it worth the effort, though hikers often overlook it for nearby Maja Jezercë. I recorded this route in April 2018 with one hiking companion.

Points of interest for Maja e Poplukës

• Starting point: Fusha e Gjes, Valbonë Valley
• Starting altitude: 949 m
• Summit and highest point: Maja e Poplukës, 2,569 m
• Distance: 16.3 km
• Elevation gain: 1,620 m
• Recorded elevation loss: 1,569 m
• Time to the summit: around 10 h, around 11 h in winter
• Recorded moving time: 5 h 45 min
• Difficulty: Hard
• Trail type: Out and back
• Parking: Free, with plenty of space
• Water: Last spring water source at Te Simoni
• Food and accommodation: Te Simoni bar on the route; guesthouses in Valbonë Valley
• Season: All year for suitably experienced climbers; winter requires crampons and an ice axe

How to get to Valbonë and Fusha e Gjes

Valbonë Valley is 22 km from Bajram Curri. Reaching Bajram Curri from Tirana takes around 4 h. The bus station in Tirana is in front of Asllan Rusi Sports Center.

You can also travel from Prishtina, Kosovo. Take a bus from Prishtina Main Bus Station to Gjakova Bus Station, then another bus from Gjakova to Bajram Curri.

Fusha e Gjes is accessible by a normal car, and there is plenty of free parking. If you have a 4×4, you can continue to Rrogam and shorten the walk.

About the Maja e Poplukës hike

The route starts in Valbonë Valley, passes through Rrogam and climbs towards Maja e Poplukës over rocky terrain. There are some red and white trail markings, but I would recommend using GPS for navigation.

Fusha e Gjes to Rrogam and Te Simoni

Start at Fusha e Gjes and follow the route through the small village of Rrogam. You then reach Te Simoni, a small bar and the last water source in spring.

The junction for Theth and Popluka

After Te Simoni, continue until you reach a small sign. The left path goes towards Theth on the Valbonë to Theth route. Take the right path for Popluka.

Continuing towards Maja e Poplukës

Further along, make sure you do not confuse the route to Popluka with the trail towards Maja Jezercë. Check your position with GPS rather than relying only on the markings.

The climb has a large elevation gain, steep sections and technical terrain. My route notes allow around 10 h to reach the summit, increasing to around 11 h in winter.

Water, food and accommodation in Valbonë

Te Simoni is the last water source in spring. I would suggest carrying 3 to 4 liters of water in summer.

Valbonë Valley has many inexpensive, traditional guesthouses serving very good food. They are usually busy in summer, so book early if you plan to stay overnight.

When to climb Maja e Poplukës

I recorded this route in April. Maja e Poplukës can be climbed throughout the year, but that does not mean conditions are suitable for every hiker.

Winter is for experienced mountaineers, with crampons and an ice axe required. Some sections are especially dangerous in winter, and crampons or an ice axe may also be needed in places at other times of year.

Maja e Poplukës difficulty and safety

This is a hard climb, not a straightforward valley walk. There is rocky terrain throughout the route, so I would suggest bringing a helmet.

• Use GPS alongside the red and white trail markings.
• Take the right path after Te Simoni, not the left path towards Theth.
• Do not confuse the Popluka route with the route to Maja Jezercë.
• Be prepared for terrain that may require crampons and an ice axe, even outside winter.

More hikes in Albania

• Maja Jezercë
• Maja e Boshit
• Gashi River from Begaj in Tropojë