Mali i Komjanit

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Mali i Komjanit

Summary: We were heading into the Gramsh - Grabove area, waiting what the weather would be like. As one year before, while the rest of Albania was nearing a heat stroke, Gramsh experienced major thunderstorms, rendering some of the more difficult access roads impassable.

We therefore had to reorganize, and decided to hike Mali i Komjanit.

Mali i Komjanit is, with about 1790 Meter altitude, not particularly high compared to its neighbors Valamares or - across the Devoll River valley - Tomorri mountain. But Mali i Komjanit stands out and manages to dominate, together with the hugely scenic Split Rock, the Grabove/Lenie area. On top of this, Komjanit offers very interesting hiking and because its somewhat central location, offers great views of the area. Another gem in this area is Lake Dushkut, usually well hidden from view.

Komjanit is a little deceiving, as a hike to its summit appears to be easier than it actually is. The summit is surprisingly rocky, with steep grassy patches and seemingly botttomless drops. Still, there is a faint trail for most of the hike, but be prepared for some airy scramble near the summit.

The Hike: The hike starts at Teqe Dushkut. The shrine that can be reached from the Gramsh-Grabove road by turning onto a little used dirt road, which is in remarkably good condition. From the Teqe, follow the road for a few hundred meter, until it transforms itself into a footpath. Pass under Komjanit mountain and head towards a clearing on the gentle north ridge of Komjanit. Then turn around and follow the ridge, through light forest towards the summit rocks. Where the rocks begin, the summit is still 100 Meter above you, which you reach with some light but sometimes exposed scrambling.

Maximum altitude:	1790 meter
Minimum altitude:	1234 meter
Cumulative height:	571 meter
Cumulative length:	4 kilometers
Difficulty	difficult
Time:	2.5 hours
Date of this record	July 2013
Download GPS info:	Mali i Komjanit

The Drive: The trail's coordinates start at the end of the asphalt road south of Gramsh. Continue on the road to Korca for a few hundred meters, then turn left at the signposts for Lenie and Grabove. The road is in reasonable condition (as of July 2013). At waypoint 04, a short excursion takes you to Teqe Dushkut. Even if you don't intend to hike Mali i Komjanit, the Teqe is a quick and worthwhile sidetrip. If you continue beyond the Teqe for a few hundred meters, you will get a view of Lake Dushkut below.

Continuing from waypoint 04 on the road to Grabove, the left fork at waypoint 06 takes you to Grabove siperme (upper Grabove) and the Split Rock. The right fork would take you to Grabove poshte (lower Grabove). The road to upper Grabove rapidly deteriorates, and requires a vehicle with good ground clearance. Even then, the road may not be possible when very wet. Soon the Split Rock comes in view. Our trail continues up to an altitude of 1300 Meter, near the Split Rock, which you can explore with caution. The road then continues to Grabove Siperme, which has a little hotel near the trailhead to Valamares mountain (see hike to Valamares summit).

The drive to Teqe Dushkut and waypoint 06 (the fork to Grabove poshte and Grabove siperme) is easy. The road from waypoint 06 to the Split Rock and on to Grabove siperme is difficult.

Maximum altitude:	1318 meter
Minimum altitude:	271 meter
Cumulative height:	1489 meter
Cumulative length:	26 kilometers
Difficulty	moderate
Time:	2 hours
Date of this record	July 2013
Download GPS info:	Split Rock and Teqe Dushkut

General location and approach: South of Gramsh - turning off the Gramsh-Korca road near the village of Bulçar.

Other Information: Most parts of Albania are very beautiful, but this part remains one of our favorite areas.

Mali i Komjanit and the Split Rock seen from Grabove Siperme. In the distance, Tomorri

The Split RocK and Mali i Komjanit in daylight, as seen from Grabove Siperme. The two sides of the Split Rock seem to have different names: Sh. Kopçit (on the left) and Sh. Nhaut (on the right).

Driving from Gramsh towards Grabove. Mali i Komjanit, though lower than the surrounding mountains, catches the attention.

Going south from Gramsh, in the morning light

In the west, Tomorri catches the first sunlight

Approaching the Split Rock. As the weather forecast was not favorable, we decided to forego higher mountains and stopped at the Split Rock this time...

...to turn our gaze towards Mali i Komjanit

Going back to the turn off towards the trailhead of Mali i Komjanit.

We had figured out the roads beforehand, but still couldn't quite decipher the road sign pointing towards Teqe Dushkut.

The excursion to Teqe Dushkut. Getting closer to Mali i Komjanit.

Much of the hike to the summit of Mali i Kojanit follows trails, through forests and meadows

With Valerian (German: Baldrian) along the way.

Climbing higher. Mali i Kojanit allows views towards its summit rocks

For the time being, the hike follows pleasant ridges, with spots of yellow foxglove

Life (Mountain Parsely) and death, nearby.

The hike up Mali i Komjanit gives glimpses to mountains that tend to hide from view. Here, Valamares in the distance.

Getting serious at the summit area of Komjanit. Still a 100 Meters climb to the summit.

Almost at the top. Liqeni Dushkut far below.

The last steps to the summit of Mali i Komjanit.

GPS and trailmaps: The map and trailinformation is generated by , 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 "view in Google Earth" when on Wikiloc. You need to have Google Earth installed on your computer.