For the trail · alpventurer.com/shkelzen
Shkëlzen peak, Tropoja, Albania 2’404 m/alt
Shkëlzen peak · Albania
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Season
- Winter
- Water
- Water source near the start; carry 1.5–2 litres
- Parking
- Free
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.
The route
- Distance
- 14.0 km
- Ascent
- +1,567 m
- Descent
- −1,503 m
- High point
- 2,404 m
- Lowest point
- 837 m
A Hoxhaj: 42.42023, 20.13719B Finish: 42.42578, 20.13813▲ Shkëlzen peak: 42.45736, 20.12820
Walking time, without breaks
- Relaxed12 h 30 min
- Average10 h
- Fast8 h
How steep
- Under 8% 1.5 km
- 8 to 15% 3.2 km
- 15 to 25% 4.2 km
- Over 25% 4.3 km
In two parts
- Up to Shkëlzen peak 7.4 km · +1,540 m
- Down to the finish 5.8 km · −1,495 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
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
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.
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
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