Maja e Ostrovicë
2,383 m
Albania
Also known as Mali i OstrovicësAlso known as
Mali i Ostrovicës
- Elevation
- 2,383 m
- Prominence
- 1,273 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: Difficult (Wikiloc track rating (Palmtreeproduction, 2012))
A long, steep day from the remote hamlet of Marjan (about 1,210 m) on the Korçë side: cattle trails and meadows with a river crossing lead west to the base of the summit pyramid at about 2,000 m, then the north-east ridge and steep grass on its south side climb directly to the main summit. About 12.4 km and 1,100 m of ascent on a loop; 4–5 hours up.
About 100% of this line is approximate (no mapped trail; drawn from the terrain). Check it against a map before relying on it.
Why? 5 check notes
- 100% approximate geometry
- ascent 1470 m vs net gain 1166 m (+26%)
- low confidence 0.4
- Marjan → Maja e Ostrovicë: dem (snap_failed, 6.9 km)
- unresolved waypoints: Base of the summit pyramid
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 6.9 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,470 m
- −304 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 2,383 m
- Time Up
- 6h 22m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 4h 49m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Marjan lies at the end of about 20 km of gravel road from Voskopojë, passable only with an off-road vehicle. From the hamlet, keep left at a fork towards the river canyon and follow cattle trails and meadows west through scattered trees, with water at the river, towards the long, jagged ridge of Ostrovicë. From the base of the summit pyramid, at about 2,000 m, the north-east ridge leads directly to the summit; the 2012 party often climbed the steep grassy slopes on its left (south) side. Further left, a less steep but considerably more exposed line known as Ric's Ridge (published by the Albanian outfitter Zbulo) needs more nerve. Parts of the main ridge are difficult to traverse without climbing gear. The 2012 party descended by the very steep north ridge and returned to Marjan on a figure-of-eight through meadows and cattle trails. Allow a full day (8–9 hours with stops). Carry a GPS track: there are no waymarks.
Start
Marjan1,217 m
- None. Furgons run from Korçë to Voskopojë; from there an off-road vehicle is needed for the 20 km to Marjan.
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marjan → Maja e Ostrovicë | 6.9 | 1,470 | 304 | 6h 22m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Marjan1,217 m
End of the gravel road from Voskopojë (off-road vehicle); elevation from the GPS track's low point
- Summit: Maja e Ostrovicë2,383 m
Key Passages
- North-east ridge of the summit pyramid and the steep grass on its south side
- Very steep north ridge on the descent
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 40%Overview
A jagged limestone ridge about 14 km long on the border of Korçë and Skrapar in south-east Albania, rising to about 2,383 m. Its southern summit is an easy hike from the TAP pipeline road; the main summit is a long, steep and remote day from the hamlet of Marjan.
Ostrovicë is a massif of Mesozoic limestone and flysch between the Çemericë valley (Devoll basin) to the east and the Çorovodë valley (Osum basin) to the west, on the boundary between Korçë and Skrapar. Unlike the rounded, loaf-shaped mountains common in southern Albania, it forms a single long, jagged ridge running north to south for about 14 km, with steep slopes, glacial and karst forms on the crest and alpine pastures below. Villages around its foot include Mazrek, Faqekuq, Çemericë, Gjonbabas and Lekas.
The highest point lies roughly in the middle of the ridge at about 2,383 m; the southern summit, Maja e Faqekuqit, is about 2,352 m, and a northern top about 2,347 m. Sources disagree about the names and heights of the tops. The ridge between them is rough, and parts are difficult to cross without climbing gear.
The construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline brought an asphalt road from Korçë via Vithkuq and Shtyllë to about 1,800 m, the highest paved road in Albania. From its end a 4WD track leads to Qafa e Martës, from where the southern summit is just over an hour's walk. The main summit is usually climbed from Marjan on the east side, 4–5 hours away on foot, after a long off-road drive from Voskopojë.
Climbing Notes
For the main summit, plan a full day (8–9 hours) with about 1,100 m of ascent on pathless meadows and a steep, exposed final ridge; a GPS track and a head for heights are essential, and an off-road vehicle is needed to reach Marjan. Vithkuq, with guesthouses, restaurants and a shop, is the best base for the southern approach; Voskopojë or Korçë for Marjan.
The southern summit, Maja e Faqekuqit, is a much easier half-day walk from Qafa e Martës (about 3 hours, 7 km and 520 m of ascent per Albania Travel Guide). Snow lingers on the ridge into spring; outside summer, the steep slopes need crampons and an ice axe.
History
A monument at Qafa e Martës commemorates a 1913 battle between local Albanians and Greek forces. The Trans Adriatic Pipeline passes beneath the southern summit; its construction brought an asphalt road from Korçë high onto the mountain.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Good
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; access roads snowbound
- Feb
- Winter
- Mar
- Snow
- Apr
- Snow on the ridge
- May
- Snow patches on the steep upper slopes
- Jun
- Good; afternoon storms possible
- Jul
- Most reliable conditions and access
- Aug
- Most reliable conditions and access
- Sep
- Good conditions; end-of-September ascent recorded
- Oct
- Shorter days, colder; first snow possible
- Nov
- Wet and snowy
- Dec
- Winter
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- No huts. Guesthouses in Vithkuq and Shtyllë (south-east), Voskopojë (east) and Çorovodë (west); a mountain guesthouse was reported under construction on the Skrapar side.
- Getting There
Korçë; Çorovodë on the Skrapar side
Tirana International Airport (TIA); Ohrid (OHD) in North Macedonia
- South-east: asphalt road from Korçë via Vithkuq and Shtyllë to about 1,800 m, then about 6 km of 4WD track to Qafa e Martës
- East: about 20 km of gravel road from Voskopojë to Marjan (off-road vehicle needed)
- West/south: asphalt from Çorovodë to Potom, then off-road via Backë to Qafa e Martës (8 km)
Hazards
- Exposure
- Remoteness
- Weather