Maja e Tomorrit
2,384 m
Albania
Also known as Томор, Tomorr, +5Also known as
Томор · Tomorr · Τομόρ · Mount Tomorr · mont Tomorr · Томорр · Varr i Abas Aliut
- Elevation
- 2,384 m
- Prominence
- 363 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Jun
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: moderate (Albania Travel Guide) · average level (Berat City Tours)
The pilgrims' ascent of Tomorr's southern summit (about 2,380 m), crowned by the Bektashi shrine of Abbas Ali. From the Kulmak tekke at about 1,600 m, a steep gravel road with tight switchbacks and shortcut paths climbs about 800 m to the summit; descents often use a path across scree. Technically easy, but exposed to sun and weather.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 6.9 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +819 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,384 m
- Time Up
- 3h 35m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 32m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Drive from Berat to Poliçan and on up the asphalt road through Ujanik to Kulmak Pass and the Bektashi tekke of Abaz Ali (Teqeja e Abaz Aliut, about 1,600 m), about 17 km from Poliçan. Park here. A longer start is possible from the upper part of Ujanik village. From the tekke, follow the gravel road that winds up the mountain in steep, tight switchbacks (gradient up to about 16%), using footpaths to cut corners. On the way you pass the stone said by Bektashis to bear the hoofprint of Abbas Ali's horse. The road ends at the summit, where a statue of Abbas Ali and the twelve-sided shrine (tyrbe), rebuilt in 2008, stand inside a stone wall. On clear days the view extends over the Trebeshinë–Dhëmbel–Nemërçkë chain to the south, the Kulmak massif next door and, reportedly, the Italian coast. Albania Travel Guide gives about 13 km and 6 hours for the round trip with 950 m of ascent; Berat City Tours gives about 5 hours from the tekke. Many descend by a path across a scree field rather than the road. Vehicles also drive to the summit, so expect traffic, especially during the pilgrimage of 20–25 August.
Start
Teqeja e Abaz Aliut1,565 m
- No public transport to the Kulmak tekke is documented; arrange a driver or tour from Berat.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Teqeja e Abaz Aliut → Mount Tomorr | 6.9 | 819 | 0 | 3h 35m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Teqeja e Abaz Aliut1,565 m
Bektashi tekke at Kulmak; end of the asphalt road from Poliçan
- Summit: Mount Tomorr2,384 m
Abbas Ali tyrbe and statue
Key Passages
- Switchbacks of the summit road
- Scree field on the descent path
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 60%Overview
The southern summit of Tomorr (about 2,380 m), Albania's holy mountain above Berat, crowned by the Bektashi shrine of Abbas Ali. A gravel road and pilgrim paths climb about 800 m from the Kulmak tekke; it is the highest point in Albania you can drive to.
Tomorr is a 20 km limestone ridge between Berat and the Osum valley, and one of the most recognisable mountains in Albania. Its southern summit, Maja e Tomorrit, is slightly lower than the remote northern high point, Maja e Partizanit (2,416 m), about 10 km away along a difficult ridge, but it is by far the more visited. On top stands the tyrbe (shrine) of Abbas Ali, a small twelve-sided building in a stone enclosure, together with a statue of the saint; the Bektashi tekke of Kulmak lies below on the south-eastern side.
The mountain is sacred to Albanians of several faiths. Christians climb it around the Feast of the Assumption (15 August), and Bektashi pilgrims gather for five days from 20 to 25 August, when animal sacrifices are made and thousands make the ascent. In folk belief the mountain is Baba Tomor, an old giant with a white beard guarded by four eagles.
A steep gravel road with tight switchbacks leads from the Kulmak tekke to the summit, so hikers share the upper mountain with vehicles. The walk itself is technically easy, about 800 m of ascent from the tekke, and the summit view stretches over most of central and southern Albania. The area lies in Tomorr National Park, Albania's first, declared in 1956.
Climbing Notes
Any reasonably fit walker can manage the ascent: allow 5–6 hours for the round trip from the Kulmak tekke (about 13 km and 950 m of ascent per Albania Travel Guide). The gravel road is steep and sun-exposed, and there is no water above the tekke, so carry plenty and start early in summer. Expect snow on the upper mountain until late spring; the summit road can be closed by snow at any time in winter. Avoid 20–25 August if you want a quiet walk, or go then to see the pilgrimage. Basic guesthouses and camping are available at Kulmak Pass and in Ujanik. Those who prefer can drive to the summit (4WD advised on the final gravel section).
History
Known to the Illyrians as Tomaros and to Byzantine authors as Tmoros, the mountain has long been a sacred site. The Abbas Ali tyrbe on the southern summit is traditionally dated to 1620 and was built or rebuilt in the 1880s; a dervish house below it (1908–09) was burned in 1914, and the Kulmak tekke was founded in 1916. In 1967 the communist regime destroyed both the tyrbe and the tekke and ended the pilgrimages, citing military needs. The tekke was rebuilt in 1992 and the tyrbe in 2008, and the pilgrimage has grown every year since.
Season
Best Jun- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Possible
- May: Good
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best
- October: Good
- November: Possible
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Snow; summit road usually blocked
- Feb
- Snow; summit road usually blocked
- Mar
- Snow on the upper mountain
- Apr
- Snow on the upper mountain until late spring
- May
- Late snow possible near the summit
- Jul
- Hot and exposed; start early
- Aug
- Christian pilgrimage around 15 August; Bektashi pilgrimage 20–25 August, very busy
- Oct
- Shorter days; first snow possible
- Nov
- Snow possible; road may close
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- No mountain huts. A modest guesthouse and camping spots at Kulmak Pass, and several guesthouses and campsites in Ujanik village.
- Rules
- Religious site: the summit tyrbe and the Kulmak tekke are Bektashi shrines; dress and behave respectfully
- Tomorr National Park: protected-area rules apply
- Getting There
Berat (Poliçan is the nearest small town)
Tirana International Airport (TIA)
- Car: Berat to Poliçan, then an asphalt road via Ujanik to Kulmak Pass and the tekke (about 17 km from Poliçan); from there a gravel road continues about 800 m higher to the summit (4WD advised)
- No public transport to Kulmak; drivers and guided trips can be arranged in Berat
Hazards
- Weather