Dead End on Dajti

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Dead End on Dajti

Summary: There are many hikes and ways to climb up to the Dajti Plateau, and this is none of them. We thought we made out a trail on Google Earth, and almost made it, just to have to return in front of a 7 meter high vertical rock wall that was preventing access to the Dajti Plateau. On our return, we saw what could have been an alternative way, but of course we are not sure. Those with a lot of experience and lot of time on their hand may give it a try.

The trail leads through the wild north face of Dajti mountain, which has a difficult "architecture" but doesn't fail to inspire respect for the mountain. It was one of the more difficult trails we did in Albania, bordering a good scramble. Some (modest) mountaineering experience would come handy and good orientation skills are advised. Dor more details, also study the pictures.

Maximum altitude:	965 meter
Minimum altitude:	398 meter
Cumulative height:	622 meter
Cumulative length:	3.5 kilometers one way
Difficulty	very difficult
Time:	2-3 hours one way, if you don't get lost
Date of this record	April 2012
Download GPS info:	Dead End Dajti

General location and approach: The hike starts at the village of Tujanit, which is also the start of the considerbly easier hike to the Dajti Plateau and the Tirana River Gorge.

Other Information: Some short sections of the trail lead across slopy, rocky patches, which should are not advised to be done when wet.

View from Brrar Mountain towards Dajti North Face

...here with the approximate route, starting at Tujanit village. The yellow dot marks the spot where we had hoped to reach the next level up.

The same north face of Dajti Mountain in the evening light

The approximate path through the lower reaches - already several hundred above the valley floor

A short scramble. The right dot (on the right) indicates the route up the quarry, from Arber road. The green dot (in the middle) indicates the Tirana River Gorge route. The violet dot (left) indicates the route for this hike

View across Tirana Gorge towards Brrar Mountain

On our way up. In the background the Arber road, whose construction will change the valley forever

The upper reaches of our intended climb.We were planning to reach the upper ledge via the red dot. This was not possible as we were faced with a vertical rock wall, about 7 meters tall.

One of the steeper slopes on our way back

The westface of Dajti Mountain, up to the plateau.

GPS and trailmaps: The map and trailinformation is generated by www.wikiloc.org, based on GPS information collected from the actual hike. Waypoints can be downloaded to a GPS device from Wikiloc. If necessary, use GPSBabel to convert GPS data to different formats. For more hike descriptions by Palmtreetreeproduction, browse this website or visit Wikiloc and search for "Palmtreeproduction". You may also find nearby trails from other authors.

Google Earth: You may also view the trail in 3D by clicking on the respective marker in Google Earth. You need to have Google Earth installed on your computer.