Shkëlzen peak, Tropoja, Albania 2’404 m/alt

· updated · 2 min read
A hiker on snowy slopes of Shkëlzen peak above clouds in bright winter sunlight
Shkëlzen peak, Albania
Distance
14.0 km
Ascent
+1,567 m
Descent
−1,503 m
High point
2,404 m
Difficulty
Challenging
Season
Winter

The route

Shkëlzen 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.

Distance14.0km
Ascent+1,567m
Descent−1,503m
High point2,404m
DifficultyChallenging

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

  • Relaxed12 h 30 min
  • Average10 h
  • Fast8 h

Elevation

Elevation profile of Shkëlzen peak, Tropoja, Albania 2’404 m/altStarts at 837 m, climbs 1,567 m in total to a high point of 2,369 m after 7.4 km, and finishes at 888 m; 13.2 km in all.1,000 m1,500 m2,000 m2,500 m0 km2 km4 km6 km8 km10 km12 kmHoxhajShkëlzen peak · 2,369 mFinish

How steep

  • 1.5 kmUnder 8%
  • 3.2 km8 to 15%
  • 4.2 km15 to 25%
  • 4.3 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 pack19 things, for a summit, a long day, snow

Every hike

For the summit

For a long day

Snow and ice

The light for photographs

Today at Shkëlzen peak: sunrise 06:11, sunset 16:34.

Today at Shkëlzen peak: sunrise 06:11, sunset 16:34.

At Shkëlzen peak, 2,369 m, in local time (Europe/Tirane), with an open horizon: the mountains around can hide the sun sooner.

In short

This 14 km hike from Hoxhaj village in Tropoja climbs Shkëlzen peak to 2,404 m. The rocky section is described as the most difficult part; there is a water source near the start, and the post recommends carrying 1.5–2 litres.

If you will drive through the southwest part of Kosovo, you will see an amazing mountain range. There are two peaks that you can pick out in that range. The highest one is Gjeravica peak (2’656 m/alt) officially the highest peak in Kosovo,  and the rocky mountain called Shkëlzen (2’404 m/alt) which is located in the border between Kosovo and Albania.

The Shkëlzen for many years was a “Forbidden fruit” for people from Kosovo, who weren’t allowed to travel in Albania.

A hiker on snowy slopes of Shkëlzen peak above clouds in bright winter sunlight

How to get to Shkëlzen

The starting point for the Shkëlzen is from the village called Hoxhaj. This village is located in the old Tropoja. Hoxhaj is around 14 km from the border between Albania and Kosovo, Qafa e Morinës. There are two ways to get there. The first one is from Gjakova, the nearest city to the Kosovo side and the other is from Bajram Curri, the nearest town to Albania. If you want to sleep, there are two Guesthouses near Hoxhaj.

About the hike to Shkëlzen peak

A hiker on the snowy summit ridge of Shkëlzen peak at sunset, with mountain ranges stretching to the horizon

As mentioned before the starting point is from Hoxhaj village, and the starting elevation is 837 m/alt. In summertime the path is visible and you can follow the signs in the trail. First of all, you will go through a forest, and then you will continue to a rocky hill from elevation 1’800 m/alt to 2’200 m/alt, therefore this is the most difficult part of the trail. Finally, you will arrive at the top. From the top, you can enjoy the 360 degrees view of the Accursed mountains range from the west, and Sharr Mountains range from the east, you will surely love.

I would suggest climbing this peak during the wintertime for the reason that it is way more beautiful and probably a bit more difficult. You may need crampons and ice axe during the winter. The path isn’t so visible, so I would suggest following the map and GPX above. Total distance: 14 km.

At the beginning of the trail, you will have a water source, therefore take 1.5-2 liters of water.

Points of interest:
Starting point: Hoxhaj, Tropoje, Albania
Starting altitude: 837 m/alt
Highest altitude: 2’404 m/alt
Elevation gain: 1’567 m/alt

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