Mountain Biking Trails - Himara Region

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS IN THE MYSTERIOUS SOUTH HIMARË

B AN

IA

AL

3

04

Himara Municipality

08

Overview Map

10

The Most Scenic Trails “Beach to rock and back” “The secret submarine bunker” “Between heaven and sea” “In the shadow of Mount Cikës” “Away from the hustle, and back in time” “Down to the coast and vlimbing back to Himara” “One of the best” “The hidden circle” “In two days from the mountains hospitalityo the easy going of the seaside” “The hidden village in the valley”

50

Guest House Information

4

HIMARA MUNICIPALITY

“THE RIVIERA” Himara Municipality, or “the Riviera,” as it is also known, is mentioned in ancient manuscripts by Herodotus and Thucydides.

Roman legions came down on the coast, commanded by Julius Caesar, whose name has remained in this area to this day—in the “Coast of Caesar” or “Gorge of Caesar,” for example. Historical sources from Byzantine authors Procopius, Cantacuzino, Anna Komnene, and others, as well as Ottoman authors from the beginning of the fourteenth century, indicate that the Province of Himare originally consisted of fifty-three villages and its boundaries laid within the Vlora-Tepelena-Butrint triangle.

According to the Ottoman cadastral registry from 1432, the Himara coastal area was dense with settlements, many of which have disappeared due to wars, epidemics, and changing political fortunes. These settlements varied in size from a meager ten to twelve dwellings in Kamati, to Himara village, which at its peak had 134 homes. According to another historic register, the villages of Dukati, Palas, Vuno, Himara, Pilur, Kudhes, Qeparo, Borsh, Kokni, and Lukova, have all existed since the thirteenth century, if not earlier.

5

A major factor in the difficulty of identifying the histories of these villages is how often they were burned. The village of St. Basil burned in 1693, as did Nivice, at the hands of the Ottomans.

Over the centuries is evident that the people of Himara have been outspoken in their attempts for freedom and independence from foreign control. There are many documents that recount the continuity of their resistance over the centuries, from the early fifteenth century until the declaration of independence in 1912.

Himara Municipality lies along the coastline of Ionian Sea, starting from Llogora in the north up to Nivice village, near Saranda. It is 50 km off Sarande city and 70 km away from Vlore city. Himare is one of the Albanian regions that together with Mirdite and Sule areas, near Ionian shores, have never been in the hands of any foreign invaders, in the course of entire history. Himare city and its 2400 year old castle is a symbol of resistance in the Laberia region.

6

HIMARA MUNICIPALITY

Municipality of Himara, or “the Riviera,” as it is also known, is mentioned in ancient manuscripts by Herodotus and Thucydides.

Roman legions came down on the coast, commanded by Julius Caesar, whose name has remained in this area to this day—in the “Coast of Caesar” or “Gorge of Caesar,” for example. Historical sources from Byzantine authors Procopius, Cantacuzino, Anna Komnene, and others, as well as Ottoman authors from the beginning of the fourteenth century, indicate that the Province of Himare originally consisted of fifty-three villages and its boundaries laid within the Vlora-Tepelena-Butrint triangle.

According to the Ottoman cadastral registry from 1432, the Himara coastal area was dense with settlements, many of which have disappeared due to wars, epidemics, and changing political fortunes. These settlements varied in size from a meager ten to twelve dwellings in Kamati, to Himara village, which at its peak had 134 homes. According to another historic register, the villages of Dukati, Palas, Vuno, Himara, Pilur, Kudhes, Qeparo, Borsh, Kokni, and Lukova, have all existed since the thirteenth century, if not earlier.

7

Radhimë

8

Mazhar cë shi hu l. S

GJIRI I DUKATIT

s

m . VAL-DERRIT # 982

Orikum

Izvo ri

m . SKILLAVIKUT # 1485

Dukat Fushe J 8 Du

Dukat Fshat J 8

ti

ka

m . KOLLOVOÇKES # 1227

Tragjas

I LI MA NG LU ES AR

PASHA LIMANI

Gumenicë

D l. a uk tit

Pirg 8

m . SHENDELLIUT # 1499

J 8

m . ÇIK

#2

Palasë

D J 8

D

E

T I

Overview Map 0

1

2

4

6

8 Kilometers

J O

N

Ploçë

Matohasanaj

ë

Vermik m . KENDREVICES # 2122

Shales

nç

a

M l. h ad

KES

ica

Shush

s

Salari

Bë

Brataj

në thi ok

E ET S AL E M RIB G

Matogjin Bashaj kth Ramicë Smo ina m l. S

gu J Tërbaç 8

Dhëmblan

m . TURTURIT # 1971

Velçë

Lepenicë

s l. josë V

Vajzë

Gjorm

Lap Vjos 9 a Martalloz

Sinanaj

Bolenë

Vranisht

J 8

Nivicë Kozica

Gusmar

m . MUREVE # 1700

Kallarat J 8

2045 m . THATE #

Kuç J 8

ë

r Ço

Br od

an i

Ilias Vuno J 8

e

r

Pilur J 8

L ug

Fterrë adha Lang

i

GJIRI I SPILES

Kudhës J 8

Kudhës

Himarë

Ma dia

u

Çorraj l. Qepar oit

Dhërmi

m . PAPADHISE # 1481

m . MBLERZES # 1096

m . VRRIUT # 540

GJIRI I PALERMOS

Qeparo Borsh JFushë J 8 8 a er Ft

Qazim Pali m . LUGJIT

1048 #

The Most Scenic Trails

10

“Beach to rock and back”

(Himare- Monastery ruin east - Himare fshat - Himare)

Starting from the center of Himare this circle-tour follows first some short asphalt road into the valley behind Himare. When the road changes into a 4x4 dirt track it crosses an often dried out riverbed, and starts to climb through curvy and increasingly rocky terrain towards the mountains. Along the track some old bunkers guard the valley, and who turns the head back gets rewarded with a combined view of the valley, Himare, the Ioninan sea and some greek islands. Once the highest point of this tour is reached, the biker finds the ruins of a church as well as a beautiful old house.

After that the tour descends again on a 4x4 track all downhill with some stunning views of the sea and the village of Himare nestled on a hilltop. Once arrived in old Himare (worth a visit) it’s a straightforward and speedy asphalt finish down to modern Himare and the sea.

10 km

9 km

8 km

7 km

6 km

5 km

4 km

1 km

Gravel Road

3 km

Elevation

0 km

2 km

Asphalt

376 m 300 m 200 m 100 m 1.7 m

Distance

m.Skularit # 517

30 0

Jali 100

0

kepi Lerës

±

Hima 300 150 0

300

600

900 Meters

11

TOTAL TIME

TOTAL DISTANCE

TOTAL CLIMB

1.5H

11Km

410m

DIFFICULTY EASY

Thematic groups: CULTURAL MONUMENTS, COMMUNIST LEGACY, SCENIC VIEWS

arë

Kostane

q.Kishes

D

5 00

1

J 8

Pilur

616

fusha e Vanovës

# m.Gones 700

20 0

# m.Klushit 703

600

#

# m.Radulit

400

1 Maji fusha e Vumlosë

Sera !

k.Cakoit

#

12

“Beach to rock and back”

13

14

The Most Scenic Trails

“The secret submarine bunker” (Himare - Palermo military zone – Himare)

This easy tour combines some highly interesting communist legacy with beautiful views of the Ionian sea. It starts in village of Himare and leads over the modern asphalt road southwards along the coast. After some kilometers it reaches the peninsula of “Porto Palermo”, which was a restricted military zone with a naval base during the communist period. Today widely accessible, a gravel road leads all around the peninsula and back to the asphalt road towards Himare. At the beginning peninsula there`s a small detour to the left worth doing: It leads you to the limits of the naval base in a secluded bay, and to the entrance of a huge former submarine bunker under the peninsula. Back to the main track around the peninsula with great views of the sea & its islands, you reach the seaside entrance of the submarine bunker.

Leave your bike and go the final meters to explore this highly interesting piece of history. Back on the bike the gravel climbs the hill and comes back to the asphalt, where the modern road takes you back to Himare. !

Thematic groups: COMMUNIST LEGACY, SCENIC VIEWS

2

Himarë

Polam

k.Ulliri i Hollë !

k.Ulliri i Hollë

kepi Masunit

±

200

0

200

400

600 Meters

!

# 15

TOTAL DISTANCE

TOTAL CLIMB

1.5h

16km

330m

Distance 400

300

m

200

100

0

gj i r q.Leres D

l

l

g a

j

2

i

2

i n r a

m

124

i i t

2

iip a le rm o

s

15.3 km

14 km

# 541

10 km

8 km

0

6 km

2 km

50

Gravel Road

4 km

Asphalt

m m m m m m 0 km

Elevation

100 90 70 50 30 10

DIFFICULTY EASY

12 km

#

TOTAL TIME

16

“The secret submarine bunker”

17

The Most Scenic Trails

18

“Between heaven and sea”

(Himare- Pilur - back via offroad on upper section to Himare)

22 km

10 km

Distance

20 km

Gravel Road

15 km

Asphalt

m m m m m

5 km

700 500 300 100 0

0 km

Elevation

This trail brings you from Himare up to the traditional mountain village of Pilur, nestling between heaven and earth, or at least sea and mountains. The modern asphalt road takes you south out of Himare, and then a signposted turnoff to the left starts the road up the mountain. Over a mix of broken asphalt and dirt road the climb takes you up to the village of Pilur. Here a scenic view of both mountains and sea, peaceful village life, various sights (Monastery in a small forest, Communist monument) and a bar with the occasional fresh food await you. Once you’re ready to leave Pilur, an alternative road on the upper half back down to Himare follows some great offroad sections.

Himarë k.Cakoit

0

!

1 Maji

Sera 10 0

200

kepi Masunit

300

k.Ulliri i Hollë !

k.Ulliri i Hollë !

±

400

200

0

400 Polam

800

1,200 Meters

400

19

TOTAL TIME TOTAL DISTANCE 2.75h

TOTAL CLIMB 950m

22km

DIFFICULTY Medium

Thematic groups: COMMUNIST LEGACY, SCENIC VIEWS

J 8

#

11 0 0

Pilur

# m.Çipit 10

7 00

00

900

800

s fu ha e n Va ë ov s

m.Klushit # 703

# m.Gones

50 0

3 #

m.Radulit 600

ha

s fu e m Vu lo

# m.Pinaçes

q.Kishes D

616

së

20

“Between heaven and sea”

21

The Most Scenic Trails

22

“In the shadow of mount Cikës” (Vranisht-Terbac-Lapidar-Vranisht)

From the village of Vranisht this very diverse and relaxing tour brings you in a circle back to your starting point. Always #above you lingers the majestic peak of Mount Cikes. The tour starts out of the village and first takes you over an old path – part 4x4 part foot-trail, including some rocky sections – to the village of Terbac, which clings to the slopes of the high mountains in its back. On the way the path lead you through wooded areas and via a bridge over a small canyon with deep-blue water, but now we follow the road from Terbac down to the main valley. There you soon pass a so called “Lapidari” located in a small park, one of the thousands of monuments erected in communist times all over the country, often in scenic locations. This one is actually one of the biggest in whole Albania. After the Lapidari #the valleys main old asphalt road – in adventurous condition, just as we like it for biking – brings you back to Vranisht.

Thematic groups: CULTURAL MONUMENTS, SCENIC VIEW, COMMUNIST LEGACY Shu shic a

Sinovakaj

Ledhe

# m.Kusareve 297 B

200

q.Pellumbit D

Brataj

331

r

a fus m ys ha hn e je s

Bramysh 60 0

Likudhe

800

Gryka

900

10 00

m.Rrethi I

1300

# Papadhise 471

4

3 00

120 0

0

110

8

J Tërbaç Lekaj

5 00

±

Pirgu 700500

250

0

500

1,000

1,500 Meters

4

23

#

TOTAL TIME

TOTAL DISTANCE

TOTAL CLIMB

19km

450m

Asphalt

m m m m m m

#

Gravel Road

331

19.3 km

18 km

Shushica

16 km

14 km

12 km

10 km

Distance

Hor q.Limita D

8 km

6 km

4 km

#

2 km

404 380 340 300 260 221.6

#

0 km

Elevation

2.75h

DIFFICULTY Medium

Hor

# # #

# m.Qores

Sheshe

Â4 Lenga Vurgjith

# m.Gjate 380

Vranisht J 8

400

24

“In the shadow of mount Cikës”

25

The Most Scenic Trails

26

“Away from the hustle, and back in time” (Himare - Pilur – Kuc - Corraj – Borsh – Himare)

# m.Çukës

Rad

58.7 km

# 1480

0 1 40

r Ço

re

q.Derrases

D

40 km

30 km

Distance

50 km bregu Shkulkesë

1 500

10 km

20 km

726 m 600 m 400 m 200 m 2m

0 km

Elevation

This long day tour (or alternatively relaxed two day-tour) starts from the seaside town of Himare. After climbing to the mountain village of Pilur, a wild 4x4 road takes you into the valley behind the coastline mountains. Here in the Vlora-valley, also called valley “Shushice” after the river which flows through it, you find yourself in a world very diverse to the coastline. It’s a world of tradition, of life rooted strongly in nature, and great hospitality.

If the tour is split into two days, for the night the village of Kuc is recommended, which offers various home-stays with local families. After Kuc a long rocky 4x4 downhill road takes you back to the coastline and the village of Borsh with its olive groves. From there it’s a relaxing ride over a perfect modern asphalt all along the coast back to Himare.

Asphalt Gravel Road

616

100 0 130

Sh

arat e gjata

5 Brati ¬

400

Grabova

# m.Çipit m.Lepjetes

# 1199

# m.Mullirit Pajame

0

D

# m.Kalilodherit

1

2

3 Km

#

sheshi i vajit

# 414

0.5

fa q ja it Bu n a

q.Mixores m.Gjashtës

m.Shtrunga e Bitrit

616

# m.G

Pilur

D

# m.Nikziut 640 q.Gjonitaves Bletes

1

q.Kishes

640

D

D

q.Shkalles Sheshi i Lumas Rrethit

fusha e Vanovës

Kunjova

±

6 00

Fushe

# m.Helliut #

Bodovishta

q.Mbretes 640

Hekal

Zelishta

616

D

m.Gunese # 542

D

q.Groshezit

Rreza-Borshe Millokopi

m.Mehmetit

#

us hi

ca

# m.Valthit

8

#

Kuç J

0

m.Shëndëllis

640

5 J 8

Kostane

27

TOTAL TIME TOTAL DISTANCE 7h

60km

TOTAL CLIMB DIFFICULTY Medium Difficult 2550m

Thematic groups: NATURE, TRADITION, FOOD, SCENIC VIEWS 5 ¬

far

bregu i Gravilit

së

300

it aq

far

90 0

10

it

11 00 1 200

30

h ors

a J

e ka gry

# m.Gjinikes 1397

8

Borsh

eB

Fte r

800

ha fus

700

Çorraj

# m.Gjorokullit

#

# m.Korbit # m.Gjivlashit 593

m.Çukës

Qeparo Fushë

Qeparo Fshat

500

# m.Karasit Kudhës

ae fush

J 8

Qep

aroit

8

J Kudhësi

5 ¬

100

0

# m.VRRIUT 547 # m.Pinaçes

# m.Palermos 103

#

i s iri gj rmo e l pa

# m.Gjembit 541

m.Qytezës

D

q.Leres Sera

Polam k.Ulliri i Hollë

1 Maji k.Cakoit

k.Ulliri i Hollë !

!

# m.Klushit 703

fusha e Vumlosë

#

kepi Masunit

124

124

0

200

m.Radulit

!

Gones

#

m.Kolezës

124

D

D

q.Kukumit q.Suqes

28

“Away from the hustle, and back in time�

29

The Most Scenic Trails

30

“Down to the coast and vlimbing back to Himara” (Pilur - Kudhes – Qeparo – Pilur)

This round trip will bring you over all variations of terrain, from dirt to rocks to asphalt, and from mountains to sea and back again. Good fresh air always included! Starting from the village of Pilur the trail goes offroad and then on an old asphalt (so expect some bumps ;-) road to the village of Kudhes with its interesting sights. After that it gets wild over an old shepherds trail towards the village of upper Qeparo, so expect also some pushing sections. But the scenic view and peace of nature more than reward you for that. After the village of upper Qeparo – considered as one of the most beautiful in all Albania – a curvy road takes you down to sea and along the coast towards Himare. The final of this tour demands you again: Climbing up back to the starting point in Pilur with already some distance in your legs is rather sporty, but that’s what you want and it’s what makes you proud.

Asphalt

Gravel Road

Elevation

711.3 m 600 m 400 m 200 m 8m

Bodovishta

Distance

37.6 km

30 km

20 km

10 km

arat e gjata

0 km

#

Kudhës

J 8

500

400

600

# m.Pinaçes

900

q.Kishes

D

640

# m.Çipit m.Lepjetes

D

q.Gjonitaves 640

1 000

110 0

faqja Buna i

# 1199

D

sheshi i vajit

±

# m.Gones

J 8

640

0.5 0.25 0

0.5

1

# m.Radulit

m.Klushit # 703

Pilur

t

q.Mixores

616

fusha e Vanovës

D

q.Shkalles

# m.Kolezës

00

1.5 Km

fusha e Vumlosë

8

700

# m.Qy

6 Sera

31

TOTAL TIME

TOTAL DISTANCE

TOTAL CLIMB

4.25h

42km

1700m

DIFFICULTY Medium

Thematic groups: CULTURAL MONUMENTS, NATURE, TRADITION #

# Qeparo Fshat

6 ¬

# m.Karasit

Qeparo Fushë 1 0 30

3 00

ae fush

aroit Qep

8

J Kudhësi

1 00

200

124

D

D

q.Kukumit q.Suqes 124

6 ¬

m.VRRIUT # 547

m.Palermos # 103 0

i s r i o i g j r m l e a p

m.Gjembit # 541

ytezës

D

q.Leres Polam

124

gjiri i lamanit

32

“Along the old main road through the backlands, and back along

the coast before the final climb‌�

33

The Most Scenic Trails

34

“One of the best” (Pilur-Kuc-Pilur)

#

D

Starting in Pilur, this great 4x4 track takes you into the coasts wild hinterland, the valley of the river “Shushice” and its remote mountain villages. Initially a rather rough and rocky road, it becomes increasingly a more diverse dirt track with great variations. A final part of old asphalt brings you to the mountain village of Kuc with its great view of valley & mountains. Enjoy a coffee or even a plate of local cheese outside the village bar! Back on the same trail as you came, about half the journey back to Pilur you can see far below the waters of the Mediterranean sea. Back in Pilur this very diverse and in all parts cycleable trail (although in some short steep & rocky parts non-experts will have to push the bike) comes to an end. Smile and get another coffee together with the friendly locals!

Thematic groups: NATURE, FOOD, TRADITION

JKuç 8

D

q.Groshezit

hica

D

m.Gunese 542

Hekal 4 00

Fushe Brati

#

±

Rreza-Borshe

300

0

m.Helliut 300

616

q.Mbretes

#

Shu s

Grabova 600

900 Meters

7 ¬

640

#

#

#

35

TOTAL TIME

TOTAL DISTANCE

TOTAL CLIMB

3.5h

35km

1400m

Gravel Road

h Kud

30 km 31 km

Distance

300

25 km

Bodovishta

20 km

15 km

10 km

5 km

e at ar ta a gj

0 km

Elevation

726.4 m 600 m 500 m 400 m 336 m

DIFFICULTY Medium Difficult

200

ës i

#

t

500 60 0

7 D

616

900

m.Çipit

70

0

1

100

#

640

Pilur 100 0

#

D

0

m.Gones

e ha fus vës o Van

80

q.Shkalles

#

q.Kishes

m.Lepjetes 1199

J 8

36

“One of the best”

37

The Most Scenic Trails

38

“The hidden circle”

(Kuc – Corraj - Borsh – Ftere – Kuc)

From the mountain village of Kuc this full day tour takes you through a secluded mountain valley down to the Mediterranean sea and back again. You will lose altitude, and you will ride it back up again… Joy and performance the same day. From Kuc this 4x4 dirt track takes you through the small village of Corraj down to the village of Borsh on the seaside. Enjoy some fresh fish and get energy for your climb back up to Kuc! Once on the road back, which follows the other side of the valley you came down, you will soon encounter the old castle of Borsh strategically located on a hilltop. Worth a short visit, the road later takes you up through the village of Ftere midway in the valley and over some rather # rocky sections back to Kuc. You made it, be proud and have a glass or two of local “Raki”! #

D

Thematic groups: CULTURAL MONUMENTS, NATURE, FOOD, SCENIC VIEWS 140 0

0

15 0

ha e Pogës

m.Gjashnikashit fus # 1511 t

Lugu

D

i zh q.Vejzes # ro D ali m 1200

Br o

ni

rre Ço

# m.Papadhise 1480

D

q.Derrases 616

70 0

80 0

8

J Kuç

90

0 1 00 0

# # m.G 139 # m.Shëndëllisë 11 00

0

1

ar at e gja ta

a hic us Sh

±

kuq

br e gu i Gr a vilit

# m.Çukës

1

li pyl

M

13 0 0

da

pylli pirgut

# m.Thomadheshit

bregu Shkulkesë

# m.Gjatë

pylli guri i cjapit

fusha e Papa dhise

# m.Kodrës

2

3 Km

39

TOTAL DISTANCE

TOTAL CLIMB

5.25h

41km

2200m Asphalt

D

q.Berdes 439 400

39 km

# m.Luftës q.Dar Plakes

D

# m.Gargullit 1215

Temikut faqja Bregu i

30 km

#

Fterrë

Langadh

1055

# m.Gostilës

8 ¬

a

ia

M ad

Ftera

Çirsa 2 00

Çorraj

Qazim Pa

ara arf ef qit

# m.Gjorokullit

# m.Çukës

m.Korbit

rs e Bo

1 00

a fush

J Borsh 8

30

ka gry

Gjinikes

# m.Gargullit

1055

Distance

500

q

97

D

m.Guri Çokës

300

Gravel Road

#

#

10 km

0 60#

DIFFICULTY Medium Difficult

#

20 km

642.8 m 600 m 400 m 200 m 30.4 m

0 km

Elevation

TOTAL TIME

40

“The hidden circle”

41

#

The Most Scenic Trails

42

D

“In two days from the mountains hospitality to the easy going of the seaside”

(Vranisht - Terbac - Kallarat - Kuc(sleep) - Pilur - Kudhes # Qeparo – Himare)

#

!

!

This two-day tour brings you from one world to another, both of # them very attractive. Starting in the remote mountain village of Vranisht, the trail first takes you offroad to the even more remote village of Terbac, before a longer section of old asphalt road – close to zero traffic – takes you all along this hinterland# valley to the village of Kuc. In this village with its great views of valley & mountains, tradition and hospitable home stays with families, we recommend the break for the night. Next day you follow the trail just a short section back, before a very diverse 4x4 road takes # # you to the village of Pilur, giving you fresh air & the first view of # the Mediterranean sea far below. A final detour over the villages of Kudhes and Qeparo take you to the small coastal town of Hi# # # mare, with its #relaxed seaside life. Welcome to the other world!

D

D

Asphalt

#

Gravel Road

#

#

#

D

# #

q.Soses

m.Koços Rreza-Borshe

70 km

ve

gje

Kunjova

ip

Bolenë

a

es u nit

#

#

m.Markovës

pylli i

m.Konxheli

Hor q.Limita

am

# 297 y sh

D

Shushica #

9 ¬

331

Sheshi i Rrethit Lumas

m.Gjashtës 414

Kallarat

J 8

m.Kogit

# majat e Zeza #

q.Zeze

60 0

331

Sheshe

331

#

njes

#

m.Qores Lenga

Bramysh Likudhe

#

m.Drerave

Hor

q.Pellumbit m.Kusareve

Br

m.Bolenes 445

fusha e Mesaplik ut

D

Ledhe fu sh a e

m.Zogut

n

J 8

#

Lekaj

s pë i li

#

m.Fjerit

2

S

3 Km 1 600

E T E M0

SO

#

q.Lugat Panjes

ja faq nit ma A llo

90 0

331 # m.Mblerzes 1095 !

id py lli

1

1695

e faqja hit kus

1 0.5 0

JE FI

m.Mesimerit

D D

us

hk

py

ut

lli

1400 1 500

#

10 00

m.Melishtit

110 0 120 0 1 30 0

Dh im

±

#

Vranisht

A faqja e

# 380

m.Rrethi I Papadhise

8

#

m.Bogonices

# 1672

m.Gjate

# 471

m

Vurgjith

Gryka 3 00

Tërbaç J

#

m.Kodimes Fusha e Gjormit

D

#

#

Sinovakaj

m.Mehmetit m.Hel

Bletes

Mesaplik

m.Çerjes

#

Hundexhepe

#

#

m.Mullirit

fu G jo sha rm e it

m ark ovë s

4

Shales

Ballaban

#

Pajame 00

m.Smokthines

# 466

Zelishta

py lli

em

hin

aja

Distance

80 km 83 km

lla jës km 60 lu

m.Spilarit

50 km

#

40 km

Mogila

30 km

im pyll

10 km

m.Myrçevet

ok t Sm

20 km

pyll i gr o p a e bakës

#

m m m m m

0 km

D

Elevation

bo ara de t e rit

726 600 400 200 3

m.Ksillorakut

#

m.K

43

#

# # #

#

TOTAL DISTANCE

TOTAL CLIMB

2 days

86km

2700m

D

TOTAL TIME

#

DIFFICULTY Medium Difficult

D

D

# # Thematic groups: NATURE, FOOD, TRADITION, SCENIC VIEWS # D

D

# #

#

cja ri i

lli

br

eg

Fterrë

q.Kuarth

at

m.Shëndëllisë

ar

#

D

Çorraj

b G re g ra u i vil it

ja t a

#

eg

D

D

616

439

Lan gad ha

m.Gunese

Ft er a

m.Gjinikës m.Gjinikes

# 1397

Bodovishta

105

q.Berdes

ia Mad

q.Groshezit q.Mbretes 640

a

pylli kuq

# 542

Fushe Brati

Ka la s

#

D

D

616

Hekal

Grabova

#

p pir ylli gu t

Çorre

q.Derrases

lliut

#

py

hk uS

J

gu

ë es ulk

8

Kuç

m.Guri Çokës

a Buz qj a t f a Kup ri e

1480

u Lug

m.Papadhise

i dan Bro

#

pit

# #

Çirsa

q.Shkalles D

7 00 800

640

8

ës ov Va n

m.Gones

J Ku dhë si

m.Pinaçes

#

ha

e

#

fu s

Pilur

#

J 8

m.Radulit

#

#

m.Karasit

8

Borsh J

Vu

fu sh aeQ

ha

e

500

Kostane

fu s

#

oit

J 8

m.VRRIUT

m.Qytezës

Qeparo Fushë

30

e p ar

# 547

10

Sera q.Kukumit m.Gjembit

1 Maji

D

# 541

Kumjes

124

2 00

k.Cakoit

Himarë

k.Ulliri i Hollë !

m.Skularit

# 517

q.Suqes 124

10 0

q.Leres D

!

Polam

D

Jorgos

e ja faq oit Zig

Kokor

# 593 # m.Korbit

Qeparo Fshat

9 ¬

los

# 703

m.Çukës

m.Kolezës

ë

m.Klushit

m

D

ndrea

faqja

B u na it

t aji hi es sh

Kudhës

616

#

e farfa

q.Kishes

#

640

m.Gjorokullit

gryka

m.Lepjetes m.Çipit

# 1199

q.Mixores

m.Shtrunga e Bitrit

iv

#

640

D

q.Gjonitaves D

#

m.Nikziut

ra qit

#

m.Kalilodherit

124

gj pal iri i er m o s

0

#

m.Palermos 103

44

“In two days from the mountains hospitality

to the easy going of the seaside�

45

The Most Scenic Trails

46

“The hidden village in the valley” (Pilur – Kudhes Monument – Pilur)

This half-day tour brings you over a great dirt track and an old asphalt road – always with scenic views – from Pilur to the village of Kudhes. Isolated in a mountain valley and surrounded by olive trees, the village of Kudhes has a unique layout, with all the houses – many of them historical ones - built along the main street winding up towards the mountain. Towards the top of the village you find a renovated village square with great views of the valley and various memories of the village`s past, including an old mill stone and a house dedicated to one of the communist parties congresses of the 1960s. After a relaxing break in the village the same trail – with the exception of now staying on asphalt for the whole route – a rather long but scenic climb brings you back to your starting point, the village of Pilur.

Gravel Road

500 m

±

s

25.4 km

20 km

Distance

Va n

ov ë

900

15 km

#

# m.Gones

ha

e

80 0

fu s

Pilur

# m.Pinaçes 700

# m.Radulit

J 8

60 0

#m m.Klushit

3 00

e

Vu m

lo

së

# 703

ha

5 00

fu s

fa Bu qja na it

1 0 00

D

80 m

10 km

300 m 5 km

#

0 km

Elevation

711.3 m

4 00

Sera 0.5

0.25

0

0.5

1

1.5 Km

47

# # #

TOTAL TIME

TOTAL DISTANCE

TOTAL CLIMB

2.75h

26km

1300m

DIFFICULTY Medium

Thematic groups: CULTURAL MONUMENTS, SCENIC VIEW, COMMUNIST LEGACY

farfa

ra qit

#

ae

Kudhës

gryk

J 8

# m.Çukës

m.Kolezës

100

K ud hë si

# m.Karasit

200

30

# m.Qytezës

1¬0

m.VRRIUT # 547

48

“The hidden village in the valley”

49

50

Guest House Information

Terbaรง Mehmet Bojkoj: 0692689809 Maksin Mehmetaj: 069 3023523 Kostandin Gjinaj: 068 34 25077 Adnan Bajramaj: 068 25 32 574 Lefter Fatbardha Kapo: 069 43 98457 Vranisht Teki Kanani: 068 27 91524 Bastri Limoj: 068 27 95752 Serian Hasanaj: 069 95 63 031 Gjolek Mataj: 068 20 02 303 Pajtim Shkuri: 0682590874 Lavdie Veizaj: 0697403908 Faut Labaj: 0682568389 Ferdi Sino: 0683572509 Karafil Limaj: 0682927705 Muhamet Tartari: 0672506454 Kallarat Bejo Xhaferraj: 0683103392 Blerim Xhaferraj: 0682738865 Ergest Hoxhaj: 0686933348 Agim & Elisabeta Lamaj: 0685742562 Kuc Gramoz Balilaj: 0682912362 Sabri Balilaj: 0682827577 Xhezo Balili: 0693751452 Vuno Vasil Collalli: 0692073113

51

Dukat Fshat Sehit Behluli: 0695669742 Musah Bodaj: 0699350943 Osman Lako: 0693711578 Fazli Merkohitaj: 0682258272 Katina Ibro: 0694708091 Dhermi Fshat Bledi Elmazi: 0692648035 Kozma Kosani: 0692320661 Andrea Stramarku: 0695371558 Thoma Jonila: 068 39 54 318 Qeparo Fshat Theodhori Foto: 069 58 25 305 Jorgo Pali: 069 72 23 416 Borsh Bashkim Mati: 069 26 70 549 Jani Mici: 069 20 61 879 Kudhes Janaq Tata: 0686262596 Viktor Çani: 0694648206 Drita Çani: 0685041730 Pilur Jorgo Bala: 0692661150 Pavllo Bala: 0697773441 Jani Kongjini+ Andon: 0695792552 Kiço Knogjini: 0699578283 Kiço Kreku: 0697933811 Vasil Lapa: 0692141076 Kristo Cipa: 0692610859

52

53

54

Imprint

55

Imprint

Published by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Registered offices Bonn and Eschborn, Germany ‘Integrated Sustainable Development of the Southern Coastal Region‘ Rr. “Skenderbej” 21/1 T +355 42 230 414 https://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/294.html.

February 2016 Printed by Gent Grafik Address: L.Ali Demi, Rr. Idriz Dollaku., Tiranë – Albania www.gentgrafik.al Design and layout Enid Mero Photo credits Armand Habazaj unless otherwise stated Copyright with GIZ Text Tobi Gessler Identification of the trails Tobi Gessler & Enid Mero GIZ is responsible for the content of this publication.

On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Alternatively: German Federal Foreign Office To get more information about Albania Please visit: www.albania.al Download GPS tracks of this publication at www.mtb.al