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For the trail · alpventurer.com/mount-nemercke

Mount Nemercke, beautiful hike with scenic views

Mount Nemercke · Albania

Time
Around 10 hours
Difficulty
Hard
Water
No water sources; carry about 2.5 litres
Parking
Free

In short

This hike from near Skore in southern Albania climbs Mount Nemërçkë to Maja e Papingut, at 2,482 m. The route is 12.3 km and takes around 10 hours, with 1,550 m of ascent. There are no water sources, so carry about 2.5 litres; the guide advises against this steep hike for inexperienced hikers.

The route

Distance
12.3 km
Ascent
+1,550 m
Descent
−1,564 m
High point
2,482 m
Lowest point
894 m

A Skore: 40.10661, 20.39101▲ Maja e Papingut (Maja e Dritës): 40.12370, 20.43199

Elevation profile of Mount Nemercke, beautiful hike with scenic viewsStarts at 915 m, climbs 1,550 m in total to a high point of 2,445 m after 5.6 km, and finishes at 894 m; 12.3 km in all.1,000 m2,000 m0 km2 km4 km6 km8 km10 km12 kmSkoreMaja e Papingut (Maja e Dritës) · 2,445 m

Walking time, without breaks

  • Relaxed12 h 20 min
  • Average9 h 50 min
  • Fast7 h 50 min

How steep

  • Under 8% 1.3 km
  • 8 to 15% 2.7 km
  • 15 to 25% 2.6 km
  • Over 25% 5.6 km

In two parts

  • Up to Maja e Papingut (Maja e Dritës) 5.6 km · +1,530 m
  • Back down to Skore 6.7 km · −1,562 m

What to pack

Every hike

  • Water: about 3.5 litres (half a litre an hour), all of it: no water on the way
  • 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

Snow and ice

  • Microspikes or crampons, as the snow needs
  • Gaiters
  • Insulated jacket and spare gloves
  • A hot drink in a flask
  • Check the avalanche bulletin before you go

The guide

Mount Nemercke (Nemërçkë) has one of the most scenic views that I’ve ever seen. Nemercka (Nemërçka) Mountain is a mountain range located in Southern Albania between Përmet and Gjirokastër, which goes near the border between Albania and Greece. With an elevation of 2’482 m/alt, the highest peak in this mountain range is Maja e Papingut (Maja e Dritës). After Gramos mountain, It is the second-highest peak in Southern Albania. Other peaks in Nemercke are Maja e Gatakut 2,269 m/alt, Maja e Qesarit 2,253 m/alt, and Maja e Poliçanit 2,138 m/alt.

There are two ways how to climb Mount Nemercke. The first one is from Skore, Gjirokastër, and the other one is from Përmet. The one from Përmet is longer and more difficult. Below you will find the description of the one from Skore.

How to get there

The starting point for this hike is near the village of Skore.

The distance from Gjirokastra to Skore is 45 km, and it takes about 2 hours and a half as the road in most places is unpaved, and in my opinion, it is not doable with a small car. So, you need a 4wheel drive for this road. From Gjirokastra, you take the road to Sarandë, and after around 15 km, you leave the motorway and turn to Libohovë. This road is 35km up to the starting point of the trail. Most of this road is unpaved. After Skore, you will drive for around 4km and turn for the Nemërçka mountain hike starting point. We parked the car in the road and started the hike from the ‘main road.’

About the Mount Nemercke hike

As mentioned above, the trail from Skore is shorter than the trail from Përmet. The trail itself is not that long but steep all the time. First, you will start in a forest until you reach the first mountain hut (1’500 m/alt). After that, you just need to follow the ridge until you reach 1’900 m/alt, and you can see the peak. You just continue for 500 meters ascent more, and BINGO, you are on top of this beautiful mountain. From the top, you will see some magnificent views of Mount Nemerçkë. Please be careful on top to stay at least 3m far from the ridge, due to a lot of snow ‘balconies.’ After reaching the top, it’s a beautiful experience to walk along the ridge.

A lone hiker crosses a broad snowfield below rocky ridges on Mount Nemercke in Albania
It took us around 10 hours in total because of the snow. I would highly recommend taking ice axe and crampons in the winter. I wouldn’t recommend this mountain for inexperienced hikers!

There aren’t any water sources, so please take around 2.5 liters of water.

Points of interest:

Starting point: Skore, Gjirokastër

Starting altitude: 890 m/alt

Highest altitude: 2’482 m/alt

Elevation gain: 1’550 m