Prokletije

Prokletije or (Albanian: Alpet Shqiptare or Bjeshkët e Nemuna), sometimes called the Albanian Alps or the Accursed Mountains are a range in Northeastern Albania and northwestern Kosovo.

Regions

The area covers parts of Shkodër and Tropoja districts in Northern Albania. The mountains themselves extend into neighboring Kosovo and Montenegro.

Towns and villages

The main city of the area is Bajram Curri.

Shkoder is in the coastal plain just west of the region.

The villages of Thethi, Valbonë and Kelmend are the main tourist destinations.

Parks

The areas around Thethi and Valbona constitute two separate Albanian National Parks: the Thethi National Park and Valbona Valley National Park respectively.

The greater region along the border of Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo is where the Balkan Peace Park may one day exist.

Mountains

Prokletije is the area where the highest mountains of Albania are.

Understand

The area has been extensively visited by Edith Durham who wrote an entire book about the region and its customs.

Visitor information kiosks

• 1 Valbona Tourism Development Center, Valbone Center, ☏ +355 67 276 4157. This is an info center equipped with useful brochures, there you can buy a hiking map, 2 multipurpose buildings, exterior cooking areas, sport courts, a water fountain and parking. 
• Kelmend & Shkrel Tourist Info Center, Tamare and Dedaj villages (Bajze-Vermosh Road (SH21)), ☏ +355 69 4724658, +355 68 2038823. (updated Aug 2020)

Get in

Theth

Theth Valley

To get to Bogë leave Shkodra in direction of Montenegro on the brand new highway and turn off at the signposted exit at a roundabout near the city of Koplik, the road onwards is narrow but paved to the center of 2 Bogë. . The pass (Qafa e Thorës 1685m) behind Bogë is closed by snow during the winter, often as early as November and well into May. Also at the beginning and end of the season the road is in a rough condition.

It's generally not advisable to undertake this journey on your own without a high clearance vehicle, in bad weather conditions 4wd can be handy. During summer there are various vehicles continuing to Theth and it's possible to hitch a ride. Public transport leaves from Shkodra in the morning, during the main season several minibuses a day, the trip takes around 3 hr.

Also several hiking trails allow to arrive in Theth on foot, look at wikiloc.org for more details under the search term "Thores".

Another way to reach Theth by road is via Kiri Valley. You leave Shkodra in direction of the Mesi Bridge following the asphalt road until you reach the village Prekal, from here one continues on a rough unpaved route through the Kiri Valley, crosses the pass (Qafa e Mali i Shoshit on above 1200m and reaches 3 Nicaj-Shosh. . Once you get to the bottom of the valley you arrived in Bregu i Lumit (the administrative center of Shala region), daily minibuses service the route from here to Shkodra. It's a short drive from here to Nderlysa and Theth.

Valbonë

Valbona scenic view

To get to the beautiful Valbonë valley you need to get first to Bajram Curri. To get there take breathtaking trip across Lake Koman on a ferry or drive to Gjakova (Kosovo) and cross back into Albania at Qafa e Morines. From Bajram Curri get on a minibus to Valbonë.

Kelmend

Kelmend region near Tamare

To reach Kelmend you leave Shkodra by following the highway North to the border crossing with Montenegro, called Hani i Hotit. After passing under the railway bridge turn off right and head for the village of Rapsh. A spectacular viewpoint into the Cemi Canyon awaits you on top of the plateau from where you descend on a newly paved road that snakes down to the bottom of the canyon. The first village you arrive at is Tamare, the local center with tourist info, restaurant, shops and hospital. At the entrance is the turn-off for Nikc and Vukel from where you start hiking to Theth.

Past Tamara lie Selca, Lepushe and Vermosh, the real highlights of the region. Many trails are marked, there is a free map and plenty of guesthouses to stay at. From Vermosh crossroads, the final stretch of the road lead to a border crossing with Montenegro near Gusinje (entire length of the road from Hani i Hotit to Gusinje is now paved, except a final 500-m stretch just before the border post on Albanian side).

Get around

Getting around is best with your own vehicle, or if you have more time, your own bicycle, or on foot. There is little public transportation, and on many routes this means just one minibus early in the morning.

The mountain pass which separates Thethi from Rrogami is only passable on foot. It is a challenging hike over a poorly marked trail. Parts of the trail are a bit sparse. The best way to find your way over that pass (Qafe e Valbonës) is with a local guide. The trail begins at the very end of the village of Rrogam. The trail is rather light, and seems to disappear at some points. If you are on a tight schedule, a guide is recommended. There are some English and Italian speaking residents in this area, but it is really best to speak Albanian. If walking on foot does not sound appealing, a horse or donkey can likely be arranged with one of the villagers for an appropriate fee (5,000 lek). If you have time to spare, the trail can be found through a bit of detective work (following donkey dung, etc.) and with enough time, you too can practice the art of trailblazing.a

Topographic maps

Albanian topographic maps are hard to find. Topographic maps in scales 1:25,000, 1:50,000 or smaller are published by Institutin Topografik të Ushtrisë (ITU) and for sale from East View Geospatial, omnimap, or chartsandmaps.com. Soviet maps from the 1950s can be downloaded from mapstor for $1 per sheet (with discounts for bulk orders). Border areas (including this area) were also mapped by the US army National Imagery and Mapping Agency in the 1990s and archived by the University of Texas or for sale by East View Geospatial. Similar border areas are also covered on Yugoslav maps available from mapstor (scale 1:25,000). Some trails are also drawn on OpenStreetMap, in particular the more popular ones.

Itineraries

A good itinerary would include the Fierzë-Komani ferry on lake Komani. You could get from Shkoder to Bajram Curri by way of this ferry, then visit the Valbonë valley, and either (for experienced and well-equipped hikers) get over the mountain pass to Thethi (asphalted road starts from Boge downwards to Koplik as of 2010), and go back to Shkoder from there (this loop would probably take an absolute minimum of 4 days, and a more likely duration of 6 or 7 days), or from the Valbonë Valley get back to Bajram Curri and continue east towards Tropoja or Kosovo.

An emerging destination is Razëm village. Follow the Shkodër-Koplik road, turn to the right on Rr. e Komisariatit and then turn left for Razëm at Dedaj. The road is in good condition (2011). The first of the only two alpine resorts in the Albanian Alps in Albania is located here, equipped from saunas and indoor swimming pools to ski courses!

See

Valbonë Valley in Autumn

Stunning scenery and grand vistas, a unique and difficult way of life, and traditional Albanian houses and villagers.

• Lock-in tower (Thethi) has been restored. The lock-in tower is especially of interest because it is one of the last remaining examples in Albania. The lock in tower was used to protect the male members of a family while they were under blood feud. Blood feuds were virtually extinguished during the communist times, however, the lawlessness of the 1990s saw a rather sharp rise in the number of killings.  :The New York Times has a series of articles about the Kanun, Lekë Dukagjini, and the blood feuds. Tourists and foreigners are generally immune from these (and even protected, unless you flip over someone's table!).
• Grunas Waterfall in Valbone and spectacular Valbona River
• 1 Logu i Bjeshkeve (Miss Albanian Alps), Lepushe, Kelmend (from Gusinje, MNE enter Albania and turn left towards Lepushe and Predeleci Pass). The annual beauty pageant of the Alps takes place on the 2nd Saturday of August in Kelmend region and features traditional costumes and regional delicacies. (updated Aug 2020)

Do

Hike those amazing mountains! The very little traffic in those remote areas makes it nice to hike even on the roads. Go fishing in the Valbonë river. The rapids near Dragobia seem to be a popular place. If you can, talk to people. In the summer, visit one of the hundreds of caves of Razem village.

Eat

Mountain Café

Try buying local foods from people in villages (this may be tricky without speaking Albanian!) You might get locally made cheese such as Kelmend-based Mishavin, Velecik, delicious home-baked bread, pickles, wild pomegranates, cranberries, blueberries, grape jam and various composts, natural honey, chestnuts, mountain tea, local plums, apples, and Kallmet Wine.

Try mazë, a dish made from butter, corn flour and sheep cheese. Taste roasted ram known as fërlik, wild bird based dishes, and freshly baked trout. Locals also bake wild animals such as boars, goats, and rabbits.

The restaurant of the hotel "Margjeka" (located up in the valley about 500 m before the minibuses end) serves huge portions of self-slaughtered meat.

Some of the area's specialties are being internationally recognized for being locally grown by the Slow Food Foundation

1. Flija: This layered pancake dish is particularly popular in mountainous areas. It's made by pouring thin layers of batter onto a heated stone or metal surface and stacking them one on top of the other as they cook.
2. Pite me Mish: A type of savory pie filled with meat, vegetables, and herbs, often cooked in a wood-fired oven for added flavor.
3. Grilled Meat: Grilling is a common cooking method in the mountains, and you'll often find skewers of marinated meat cooking over open flames. Lamb, goat, and pork are popular choices.
4. Kerpudha te Mbushura: Stuffed mushrooms are a delicious appetizer or side dish made by filling mushroom caps with a mixture of cheese, herbs, and breadcrumbs, then baking them until golden brown.
5. Mish i Zgare: Grilled meat dishes are prevalent in mountainous regions, often seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and herbs, and cooked over an open flame for a smoky flavor.
6. Mountain Herbs and Greens: Wild herbs and greens are often foraged in the mountains and used in cooking. These might include mountain thyme, wild mint, dandelion greens, and more, adding unique flavors to dishes.
7. Pickled Vegetables: Pickling is a traditional method of preserving vegetables, and pickled vegetables such as cucumbers, peppers, and cabbage are often served as a side dish or appetizer.
8. Traditional Dairy Products: Mountainous regions are known for their dairy products, including cheeses like feta and kajmak, as well as yogurt and buttermilk, which are often served alongside meals or used in cooking.

These are just a few examples of the delicious dishes you might encounter while dining in the mountains of Albania. The cuisine is hearty, flavorful, and often incorporates fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Drink

Turkish coffee, home-made raki (plum alcohol), and locally made wine.

Sleep

Apart from the hotels in nearby cities like Bajram Curri and Shkoder, there are a number of traditional village guesthouses that are becoming increasingly popular with international tourists. It is easy to find people willing to accommodate you or let you camp in their garden. Among those who speak English or Italian and are accustomed to foreign tourists, a price of around €20 is common, and includes breakfast and dinner. Sometimes locals don't mention paying until you are leaving in the morning, which is not the best moment to bargain the price. So be sure you make everything clear when you arrive.

In addition to homestays, there are also a number of hostels and guesthouses in the villages of Albanian Alps.

• 1 Natyral Razma Resort, Razem, ☏ +355 68 6045457, +355 68 6045455. The only alpine resort in the area. Offers sauna, indoor swimming pools, internet, local tours and ski courses. $95. 

Connect

There is cellular phone coverage in the Thethi area but not in Valbone. In the latter mobile devices must be hanged onto a tree to receive signal! (2011)

Stay safe

Don't get lost in the mountains. This is a sparsely-inhabited area and the trails are not marked and signage is sparse. A GPS is highly recommended, and a simple base map is available through the Bunker Trails project.

Supposedly, there are bear and wolves in the area, so rough camping is not recommended for the timid. If you do decide to camp, be sure to employ proper bear bag techniques or bears might follow the scent of that dry sausage hidden under your pillow.

This area has witnessed disturbing violent conflict due to extreme poverty and isolation. While Albania as a whole was virtually sealed until 1991, this area was isolated to an even greater extend because of the condition of access roads.

Following the chaos of 1997, it took the Albanian police many years to regain control of the entire country, and it is known to be one of the strongholds of resistance to law and order.

The main tourist attractions are safe to visit, but ask locals which areas to avoid.

Go next

• Puka- Another beautiful destination in Albania, known for its natural landscapes and outdoor activities.

Explore the stunning natural beauty of Puka through hiking trails that lead to scenic spots like the Puka Plateau and the surrounding mountains. The area is known for its lush forests,rivers,and pristine landscapes. Discover the rich cultural heritage of Puka by visiting historical sites such as churches,mosques,and traditional villages. Don't miss the chance to interact with locals and learn about their traditions and way of life.

• Shkodra
• Tropojë