Mali i Çikës
2,045 m
Albania
Also known as Чика, Maja e Çikës, +6Also known as
Чика · Maja e Çikës · Μάγια ε Τσίκες · Pico de Çika · Monte Çika · Maja Çikës · Çika · Mal Çika
- Elevation
- 2,045 m
- Prominence
- 1,563 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- May–Jun
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: T2 (Outdooractive (Alpenverein Gebirgsverein, W. Drexler))
A long out-and-back ridge hike from the Llogara Pass (1,027 m) on the Vlorë–Himarë road: through pine forest to the shoulder of Maja e Qorres, then a sporadically marked traverse past Maja e Vallanderit and a scree field to a short, steep summit ridge. About 14.5 km and 1,450–1,550 m of ascent return; 7–8 hours.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 8.2 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,343 m
- −326 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 2,045 m
- Time Up
- 6h 10m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 4h 48m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Start at the yellow 'Maja e Çikës' signpost at the roadside on the Llogara Pass (about 1,030 m), next to the restaurants. The path zigzags up through sparse black pine and fir; ignore an older marking that branches left. Above the trees there are views over the Ionian Sea to Corfu. A rocky ridge, more zigzags and a level stretch on the left side of the ridge lead, after a short drop to a saddle, to a steep climb towards Maja e Qorres (2,018 m). On the east slope of Maja e Qorres, at about 1,890 m, the path forks: left to the Qorres summit, right into a hollow and along the ridge towards Çika. The path passes north of Maja e Vallanderit, crosses a large scree field and regains the ridge, then skirts a subsidiary top on its south-west side to a notch at the foot of the steep summit ridge. A large stone pyramid marks the secondary summit; a small notch separates it from the main summit (2,045 m), which carries a metal survey pole. Return the same way, optionally adding Maja e Qorres from the fork. The ridge beyond Qorres is much less used and only sporadically marked, but the path is clear. Cloud often forms over the ridge before midday from moist sea air, making route-finding hard on the broad upper slopes; start early. There is little or no water on the ridge.
Start
Qafa e Llogarasë1,028 m
- Buses between Vlorë and Himarë or Sarandë cross the Llogara Pass and can drop you at the pass.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qafa e Llogarasë → Maja e Çikës | 8.2 | 1,343 | 326 | 6h 10m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Qafa e Llogarasë1,028 m
Roadside parking on the SH8 or at the pass restaurants
- Shoulder: Maja e Qorres fork2,008 m
Left to the summit of Maja e Qorres (2,018 m), right towards Çika; elevation from EU-DEM
- Feature: Maja Vallanderit1,854 m
The path passes on its north side, then crosses a large scree field
- Summit: Maja e Çikës2,045 m
Key Passages
- Steep climb to the east shoulder of Maja e Qorres
- Large scree field north of Maja e Vallanderit
- Steep summit ridge and the notch between the secondary and main summits
Equipment
0/7 packedDownloads
Route confidence 70%Overview
The high point of the Ceraunian Mountains (2,045 m), a limestone ridge rising about 5 km from the Ionian Sea above the Albanian Riviera. A long, marked ridge hike from the Llogara Pass reaches it in a day, with sea views to Corfu most of the way.
Mali i Çikës is the highest and most rugged section of the Ceraunian Mountains in south-western Albania, a massif of Mesozoic limestone and dolomite that runs from the Llogara Pass south-east towards the Kudhës valley. Its summit, Maja e Çikës (2,045 m), has about 1,560 m of prominence, making it one of Europe's ultras. On the west a major fault drops in stepped escarpments to the Ionian Sea and the villages of the Upper Coast, from Palasë to Qeparo; the eastern slopes descend more gently to the Shushicë valley.
The usual ascent starts at the Llogara Pass (about 1,027 m) on the Vlorë–Himarë road, which saves most of the climb from sea level. A path climbs through black pine and fir to the open ridge, passes the shoulder of Maja e Qorres (2,018 m), and traverses a scree-covered karst ridge to the summit. It is a long walk rather than a climb: about 14.5 km and 1,450–1,550 m of ascent with all the ups and downs, taking 7–8 hours.
Above about 1,500–1,600 m the trees give way to low scrub and grassland, so most of the route is exposed to sun and wind. Water is scarce on the permeable limestone. Clouds often form over the ridge before midday, even on fine days, and the broad upper slopes are confusing in mist.
Climbing Notes
You need good fitness for a 7–8 hour day with around 1,500 m of cumulative ascent, but no climbing skills; the hardest ground is a large scree field and a short, steep summit ridge. Start at first light to beat the heat and the midday cloud, and carry at least 2–3 litres of water per person. A GPS track helps in mist, because marking beyond Maja e Qorres is sporadic.
The pass has restaurants and hotels, so most people stay overnight there or in Vlorë, Dhërmi or Himarë. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons; in midsummer it is very hot and hazy. In winter the ridge can carry snow, and the exposed upper slopes need crampons and an ice axe.
Season
Best May–Jun- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Possible
- April: Good
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best
- October: Best
- November: Possible
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Snow on the upper ridge; strong winds
- Feb
- Snow on the upper ridge
- Mar
- Snow patches; only for experienced parties with crampons
- Apr
- Snow lingering near the summit early in the month; check conditions
- May
- Good conditions, mild temperatures
- Jun
- Long days; start early before the heat
- Jul
- Very hot and hazy; little shade or water
- Aug
- Very hot and hazy; start at dawn
- Sep
- Good conditions, clearer views
- Oct
- Cooler and often clear; shorter days
- Nov
- Rain and possible first snow
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- There are no huts. Hotels and restaurants at the Llogara Pass, and accommodation in Vlorë, Dhërmi and Himarë.
- Rules
- The trailhead lies within Llogara National Park; stay on paths and do not light fires in the pine forest
- Getting There
Vlorë; Himarë and Dhërmi on the coast
Tirana International Airport (TIA); Corfu (CFU) with a ferry to Sarandë
- By car: SH8 from Vlorë (north, about 40 km) or Himarë (south) to the Llogara Pass; park at the roadside or at a restaurant
- By bus: buses from Tirana, Durrës or Vlorë to Himarë or Sarandë cross the pass and can drop you there
Hazards
- Weather
- Exposure
- Remoteness