Curraj i Epërm - Theth (Trail) Albanian Alps

Kommentarer  (10)

• 
  Drilon Neli 29 maj 2022

   

  One of the best trails in Albanian Alps.
  Scenic

• 
  thomasvanzijl 19 maj 2023

  Hi Julian,
  
  Thank you for posting this route! I was wondering since i am planning to walk this route, are there any signs, and indicators on the route? How technical is it? What is the condition? I cannot find the route on the maps, like or outdoreactive. Hope to get in contact.
  
  Kind regards,
  Thomas

• 
  Julian Ruçi 22 maj 2023

  Hi Thomas,
  
  I did this Trail accompanied by a guide who knew this area well. In fact, I can't say with complete certainty if this is the Classic Path, but due to the swollen streams from the rains, we were “forced” to follow this trajectory. if you download it and follow it in Offline Mode it may help you.
  
  Part 1) Curraj - Derzas Pass This part of the path is relatively difficult, especially the walk in the forest and the climb towards the pass, because it is not a very Popular Trail and it is not very trodden, and considering that the Trail Marks may even be missing... ( not too sure)
  
  Part 2) Derza's Neck - Theth The rest of the Trail after climbing the pass becomes simpler, the trail is marked.
  
  Note: since I've only done this trail 1 time and about 3 years ago, it's hard for me to remember the Trail in details…

• 
  gbuli 3 nov. 2024

  Thanks for uploading this trail. We did it yesterday and it was exactly as described in the comments.

• 
  gbuli 3 nov. 2024

   

  Jag har följt den här leden  verifierade  Läs mer

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  Thanks for uploading this trail. We did it yesterday and it was exactly as described in the comments.

• 
  Julian Ruçi 3 nov. 2024

  Hope you enjoyed it. It is one of the most beautiful trails in the Albanian Alps.
  Greetings
  :)

• 
  njeri123 25 juli 2025

   

  Jag har följt den här leden  Läs mer

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  I would strongly advise against taking this route.
  After 8 hours of hiking, we had to turn back at the final slope because continuing was simply impossible. The trail is completely overgrown with thorns and bushes just after the church, making progress extremely difficult.
  
  Although the path later improves and becomes quite scenic, this is misleading. You're then forced through tall grass, which leads to a not entirely safe climbing section. At some point, you find yourself walking through dense jungle with no path at all. Due to the fallen leaves, it's very difficult to move forward.
  
  Although everyone back home advised us to go via Qereq, we were unfortunately convinced by a local to take this route instead. That was a big mistake. Locals often tell fairy tales about how they made it to Theth via this path in 4–5 hours. Even if you were running, it wouldn’t be possible.
  
  It’s best not to tell anyone where you're planning to hike. Locals talk a lot and may have used this trail 30 years ago, when it was still maintained. Including return and breaks, we ended up hiking for 14 hours – and we are experienced and very fit hikers.
  
  We didn’t see a single person during that entire time. It ruined our entire multi-day hiking plan, as we had intended to continue from Theth to Valbona.
  
  Since no one uses this trail anymore, there’s also a risk of encountering bears. Later, we discovered that this path is no longer even marked on hiking maps.
  
  Definitely take the route via Qereq and don’t listen to locals trying to show off while putting you in danger!

• 
  Julian Ruçi 27 juli 2025

  Hello,
  
  If you take a closer look at the trail details, you’ll see that the distance is quite long considering the mountainous terrain, and the trail itself is clearly marked as difficult.
  
  It’s important to point out that this route is not very popular — Curraj i Epërm is one of the most isolated villages in the Albanian Alps (possibly the most isolated).
  As I mentioned earlier, the first part of the trail is particularly challenging. We had to deviate several times to avoid streams that formed after recent rainfall, and the trail markings are not as clear as they are on more well-known routes.
  
  This trail was first recorded five years ago, and since it’s rarely used, it has become increasingly difficult over time. My recorded hiking time reflects the pace of someone with significant experience in off-trail hiking and navigating less-trodden paths. The person who organized this hike is a local from Qereç-Mulaj — someone deeply familiar with the terrain and the Albanian Alps.
  
  If you’re from Albania, it’s unfortunate that you’re not better informed about this region. If you’re not Albanian, please understand that this is not a walk in a well-maintained Dolomites park — Albania simply doesn’t have the same level of hiking infrastructure as some other European countries.
  
  I’m sorry to hear you had a difficult experience,
  but your review feels rushed and shaped by a lack of information and insufficient preparation.

• 
  njeri123 28 juli 2025

  Hi,
  Thank you very much for your response. Apart from the overgrown sections with bushes and thorns, the beginning of the trail is actually the easiest part. That makes sense, of course, since the fields at the beginning near Curraj i Epërm are still partly cultivated.
  
  The claim that the trail was only recorded five years ago cannot be accurate — this was the old path to Theth. However, only people from the region are aware of that. Once people started using the route via Qereç, this path was no longer used. I’m not referring to hikers, but to locals who had to use this trail. This has also been mentioned in the comments here.
  
  At the foot of Mount Bosh, it is no longer possible to get through. All hiking trails — even demanding ones — are marked on official maps. For example, 30 years ago people used to go from Lekbibaj towards Hasaj to reach Curraj i Epërm. That path no longer exists today and is no longer shown on any maps.
  
  I am very familiar with the Albanian mountains and have years of experience in multi-day alpine hiking around the world. To dismiss my concerns as “lack of preparation” comes across as unprofessional and unfortunately confirms the impression I had. In this sport, concerns should always be taken seriously, especially since people can be put at risk in an area with no network coverage.

• 
  Julian Ruçi 29 juli 2025

  I would like to emphasize that I truly appreciate your comments regarding the trail.
  
  Firstly:
  The trail has been clearly described as very challenging in the description.
  
  Secondly:
  This trail was recorded on Wikiloc five years ago, and there haven’t been other records since. However, it’s important to note that the trail has been used for centuries by the local villagers.
  
  Thirdly:
  As I’ve mentioned before, during this crossing we were guided by the late Ndoc Mulaj. My intuition, confirmed by others, tells me that there was no better connoisseur of the area than Ndoc himself, a true son of Curraj.
  
  Fourthly:
  I cannot speak with full certainty about the current condition of the trail after five years, so your comments are helpful in that regard.
  
  Finally:
  The purpose of recording this trail was never to put anyone at risk or in extreme conditions. Our aim was to document and preserve a traditional route that was once followed by the local community. By recording it electronically, we hoped to leave a historical and cultural trace so that the heritage of free movement in this region would not be lost.
  
  Safety will always be a priority.

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