Theth - Maja e Zorzit

Circular route from Theth to the Maja e Zorzit summit

This is the sister hike to the famous return route to Valbona, on the opposite side of the valley.

But whereas the route to Valbona can be somewhat lacking as it is mainly through forest with a single viewpoint at the summit, this circular loop of equivalent difficulty is much less frequented and, above all, offers numerous and varied views of the Theth Valley to the north, Shala to the south, and the Ukut massif and Bogë Valley to the west, as well as the Grunas waterfall to the east.

Allow at least 6 hours or so, including a few breaks.

The ascent does not present any particular technical challenges and allows everyone to set their own pace (note: the reverse route, however, involves a technical descent!).

The return descent route can easily be shortened or extended depending on your fitness level, as it runs close to the road, which remains quiet.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.93 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,269 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,269 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,633 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 722 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Start from the main car park in Theth and follow a short stretch of road to reach the start of the track.

(1) Take the track on the right.

(2) End of the Rruga Nik Gjonaj track. Continue along the path starting on the right, Red 4 (Maja e Zorgit).

(3) Continue along the track after the river.

(4) Cross the ridge. Cross a scree slope. Reach some ruins.

(5) Head left. Cross a dry riverbed.

(6) Cross another scree slope. At a large pine tree, first turn left then right. Cross a third scree slope. The ascent follows, still very well marked, particularly on the scree slopes (the next marker is visible from the previous one).

(7) Once at the pass, the path continues to the right behind a pine tree clinging to the rock. This is the only tricky section where it is not forbidden to use your hands.

(8) Once at the summit and the cross, the path continues with an initial, somewhat steep descent that quickly levels out.

(9) Cross a clearing and continue along the path.

(10) A fork in the path allows you to either head back down to Theth (to the right) or join the road pass.

The path soon rejoins a short stretch of road. A landslide means you’ll either have to do a bit of scrambling or go round it for about twenty metres to reach the road further down.

(11) The path soon leaves the road to the right. Continue the descent, crossing old stone enclosures facing the Theth valley before reaching the first buildings of the village.

(12) Here the path winds between fences, some old and others very recent, which sometimes obscure the markings, but the path remains easily identifiable.

(13) The second stretch of road passes the zip line before quickly branching off onto the path that runs alongside the river to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 755 m - Main car park at Theth - Kisha e Thethit (Église de Theth)
  2. 1 : km 0.2 - alt. 744 m - Start of the track
  3. 2 : km 1.47 - alt. 724 m - Start of the climb, to the right of the road
  4. 3 : km 1.8 - alt. 752 m - Exit the path, on the right, by the river
  5. 4 : km 2.59 - alt. 1,094 m - Ridge
  6. 5 : km 2.92 - alt. 1,181 m - Ruins
  7. 6 : km 3.76 - alt. 1,456 m - Scree slope
  8. 7 : km 4.05 - alt. 1,534 m - Pass
  9. 8 : km 4.41 - alt. 1,629 m - Maja e Zorzit summit (1,663 m)
  10. 9 : km 5.18 - alt. 1,411 m - Small clearing
  11. 10 : km 6.73 - alt. 1,475 m - Junction (right)
  12. 11 : km 7.57 - alt. 1,406 m - Exit from the road
  13. 12 : km 9.55 - alt. 945 m - Abandoned hamlet
  14. 13 : km 9.73 - alt. 865 m - Balcony Campsite
  15. S/E : km 10.93 - alt. 755 m - Main car park at Theth - Theth (Thethi)

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.