Along the Edge - Maja e Strakovecit

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Along the edge - Maja e Strakovecit

Summary: What looks like something from one side may look a different matter from the other side. Mali i Lunxherise is one of those two-faced mountains.

Lunxherise is the mountain range east of Gjirokastra. It looks not like much from Gjirokastra - more or less like a humangeous loaf of bread - but from the Zagoria valley it becomes a different matter. Seen from there, a lot of drama unfolds, with steep cliffs and deep ravines.

Maja e Strakovecit is the northern summit of the Lunxherise, spearated from the 14 kilometer distant main summit by the pass to Fushë e Cajupit. Fushë Cajupt is a vast grazing area. It is so productive that an asphalt road has been built to an altitude of 1300 Meter, giving convenient access to Strakovecit.

While not particularly strenuous, a hike to the summit of Strakovecit is a hike along the edge. We hiked it when clouds were swirling around the ridge, hiding the vertical drops and steep summit cliffs until we stepped on them. Perhaps, with different weather, the route may be considered more easy - or more intimidating, depending on your feel for heights.

At the top of the mountain, we were not sure about the true summit, and ventured out onto some cliffs. This can be fun - or not. It is not necessary anyway, as the true summit is on the top of the grassy ridge.

The views are extraordinary. Although measured at only 1956 Meter, Maja e Strakovecit offers sights of almost everything that may interest mountaineers in southern Albania. And, of course, into the broad valleys of Zagoria, the Gjirokastra plains, the cannabis-producing town of Lazarat and other points of interest.

Maximum altitude:	1956 meter
Minimum altitude:	1320 meter
Cumulative height:	683 meter
Cumulative length:	4 kilometer one way
Difficulty	moderate
Time:	3 hours one way or less
Date of this record	September 2012
Download GPS info:	Strakovecit

General location and approach: From the northern roundabout in Gjirokastra, head across the river and towards the other side of the valley. Follow the asphalt road to Cajupit

Other Information: Because of the good access road, and the not very long distance to the summit, the hike can be done easily from an overnight in Gjirokastra.

Maja e Strakovecit (the highpoint right on the ridge) seen from the ascent to Nemercke Mountain. The view goes across the Zagoria Valley

A zoom from Nemercke to Strakovecit. The hike follows the ridge, always close to the edge, from the pass on the left to the summit area. Photo courtesy of ZalaZ.org.

Maja e Strakovecit seen from the village of Limar, in the Zagoria Valley. Note the dog next to the door. Photo courtesy of Endrit Shima

Maja e Strakovecit seen from Gjirokastra

Maja e Strakovecit seen from the Gjirokastra - Tepelene road.

Maja e Strakovecit seen from the road leading to Fushë e Cajupit.

Shortly after having left the highpoint of the asphalt road leading to Cajupit.

On the ridge. View back to Fushë e Cajupit.

Reaching the waypoint camp - a rather flat area which is used in summer as a grazing camp.

Mount Kendervicës appearing from the clouds

Approaching WP3 - one of the many false summits.

Approaching the last false summit, with the cairn. The clouds giving way to the main summit.

The main summit in view. From here, the true summit appears to be somewhere in the rocks - but it is at the end of the grassy ridge.

Summit view across the Zagoria Valley. Papingut, the summit of Nemercke and second highest mountain in southern Albania, is the highpoint on the horizon line.

Summit view back to Fushë e Cajupit and the Lunxherise mountain. The last false summit (with cairn) on the right.

Summit view to Cikes, Qorres and Kendervices (from left to right, under the dots).

View from the secondary summit back to the main summit

Returning to thearea near the camp, now with good views in all directions

View towards the main summit of the Lunxherise

Maja e Strakovecit seen from Fushë e Cajupit

Even when only driving (on asphalt!) to the height of the pass, good views abound almost without getting out of your seat: Here Cika and Qorres

And through a gap in the range, Papingut, the summit of Nemercke

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 viewing it directly in Google Earth. You need to have Google Earth installed on your computer. Activate "wikiloc"in the "Gallery" menu in Google earth.