Zeza Canyon Alpine Loop

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Zeza Canyon Alpine Loop

Summary: The Ishmi River Canyon - or probably better known as Zeza canyon - winds its way between Kruja and Gomnit mountains. There are two bridges over the Ishmi River - one at the entrance to the canyon, and one in the middle of it - showing the importance of the old trading route. In ancient times, part of the track used to be paved with big cobblestones.Today, the trail is falling into disrepair as the villages behind the mountain are more easily reached by new roads.

Zeza canyon is wild and dramatic, as it zigzags between the mountains. We had visited it before, following Endrit's trail (which also can be used to find the road to the trailhead). This time, we climbed the eastern wall of the canyon, crossed it to the other side, and returned back for a ballon hike through the Zeza Canyon.

This hike opened dramatic views towards Kruja mountain, and over the canyon, from close range. These give the hike a truly alpine feeling.

The hike generally follows existing trails, though they tend to be barely visible on the upper north end of Gomnit (between waypoint 6 and 8)

When reaching the crest of the eastern wall, the drops to the east appear almost vertical - simply continue a few meters along the crest and a steep but very manageable path will lead down.

Warning: At the waypoint 14-Difficult the trail is badly eroded, with a sheer drop on one side. The conditions are quite hazardous as the ground is clay, not rock. We suggest to alter the route as follows:

Either, from waypoint 12-Tree, continue east (down) until you hit the road.Follow the road downwards (north) until waypoint 20-A. Find your way down to houses near the river, there should be some wide trail. From waypoint 20-B, a good trail should lead back in Zeza canyon, and meet our trail at waypoint 15-Fork.

Alternatively, just 20 Meter or so before you reach waypoint 13-Path (you already can see a wide earth path, which shortly after deteriorates so badly), a smaller path crosses your way. We believe this new path has been developed to avoid the hazardous stretch, and that it will join the regular trail a few hundred meters on.

See image Nr 5 with the routes.

Maximum altitude:	810 meter
Minimum altitude:	223 meter
Cumulative height:	684 meter
Cumulative length:	10.4 kilometer
Difficulty	moderate (see comment)
Time:	5 hours mimum
Date of this record	April 2013
Download GPS info:	Zeza Alpine Loop

General location and approach: Zeza canyon is between Gomnit and Kruja mountains, about half an hour drive from Tirana.

Approach to Zeza Canyon, near the village of Kurcaj

Zeza canyon seen from the east, Qafe Shtame road

A similar view, in better weather. Left in the distance Dajti Mountain, to the right the twin summits of Brar Mountain, then Gomnit Mountain. On the right, Zeza Canyon

The same view, showing some route information. The red dots follow the trail we took. It starts on the right at the bottom of the canyon, becomes invisible until it emerges on the Gomnit mountin, crosses the eastern wall of Zeza Canyon, moves down past the difficult part (marked with a yellow !), and winds its way around the rocks back into the canyon. To avoid the hazardous spot, you may take the yellow path, or try to circumvent it higher up.

The bridge at the entrance of the canyon

The path into the canyon starts with a little drama

The second bridge. From here the loop starts, and you will come back here to leave the canyon the same way you came.

Gaining height. The second bridge is visible below, in the spot of sun

Near the highpoint of the hike. The view towards Kruja Mountain is dramatic

Close to crossing the eastern wall of Zeza Canyon. In the background Kavaise

Primula elatior. In German: Himmelsschlüsselchen - or key to heaven. In English: Oxlip

On the ridge. A steel cable has been fixed to the village below, most probably to let cut timber slide down in an orderly way. Do not try to descend here but continue for a few meters along the ridge, when the a visible pass leads down the cliffs.

View from the ridge to Mali me Gropa and Bovila Lake

View south (and up) the ridge we just crossed. The field looked like a golf course

Grassy fields, with Kruja Mountain on the left and Kavaise on the right.

Back in the canyon, still high above the river.

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 when viewing it in Google Earth, which you need to have installed on your computer. The 3D perspective allows a good preview of gradients, steepness, possible views and is generally helpful when planning a trip.