Papingu
2,482 m
Albania
Also known as Mount Nemërçkë, Maja e Papingut, +5Also known as
Mount Nemërçkë · Maja e Papingut · Νεμέρτσικα · Maja e Drites · Папингу · Nemërçka · Maja e Dritës
- Elevation
- 2,482 m
- Prominence
- 1,792 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Sep–Oct
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: T2 (hikr.org (Nit Gashi, March 2021))
The shortest way up the highest peak of Nemërçka: from the end of a track above the Skore–Sopik road in the Pogon/Zagoria area (about 1,070 m), a path climbs the long, open western slope past shepherds' huts to the summit ridge and Maja e Papingut (2,482 m). About 1,400 m of ascent and 4.8 km one way; 4–5 hours up, about half that down.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 7.6 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,430 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,484 m
- Time Up
- 5h 43m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 49m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Drive from Gjirokastër via Libohovë and the Gryka e Selckës gorge to Poliçan, then about 10 km on towards Sopik, through the village of Skore. Beyond Skore a sharp left turn leads up a track to the trailhead at the foot of a large talus field (about 1,050–1,070 m). The road from Gjirokastër is rough; a 4WD is advisable. From the trailhead a well-trodden path climbs the open western slope, avoiding most of the talus, past shepherds' huts at about 1,600 m. The west side is a long, steady grass and stone slope with no real difficulty in summer; the summit ridge is broad, but the east side drops in cliffs of about 2,000 m to the Vjosa valley. In spring the ridge carries large cornices over the east face: keep well back from the edge. Descend the same way, in about half the ascent time. There is no water on the route. In winter and spring snow covers the slope from about 1,800 m and crampons and an ice axe make the ascent safer; avalanches are frequent on the western slope. Sheepdogs at the summer pastures can be aggressive. A longer variant starts lower (about 890 m) on the Skore–Sopik road and follows a marked path north to the ridge before turning south-east along the crest.
Start
Papingu trailhead1,054 m
- None to the trailhead. Gjirokastër has buses from Tirana; from there a 4WD transfer to Poliçan or Skore is needed.
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Papingu trailhead → Maja e Papingut | 7.6 | 1,430 | 0 | 5h 43m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Papingu trailhead1,054 m
Foot of a large talus field, reached by a track from the Skore–Sopik road east of Skore; elevation approximate
- Summit: Maja e Papingut2,482 m
Key Passages
- Finding the trailhead at the foot of the talus field
- Long, steady western slope
- Summit ridge above the 2,000 m east face; cornices in spring
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 65%Overview
The highest point (2,482 m) of the Nemërçka massif and of southern Albania, a limestone ridge that falls about 2,000 m in cliffs to the Vjosa valley near Përmet. From the gentle Zagoria side it is a long but straightforward day hike; from Përmet a two-day climb of 2,300 m.
Maja e Papingut (formerly Maja e Dritës) crowns Nemërçka, a heavily karstified limestone anticline about 20 km long running from Qafa e Dhëmbelit to the Greek border between Gjirokastër and Përmet. With about 1,797 m of prominence it is one of Albania's three most prominent peaks and an ultra. Neighbouring tops along the crest include Maja e Gatakut (about 2,260 m) and Maja e Qesarit (2,253 m).
The mountain is strongly asymmetric. The western slope towards the Zagoria and Pogon valleys is long, open and grassy, grazed by sheep in summer; the eastern side drops almost vertically from the ridge to the Vjosa, which flows at about 200 m below the summit, with glacial cirques above 1,700 m. Seen from the Vjosa valley it is one of the most alpine-looking mountains in Albania outside the north.
The usual ascent climbs the west slope from a trailhead above Skore: about 1,400 m and 4–5 hours up, without technical difficulty in summer. The approach roads are the harder part. From Gjinkar near Përmet a much longer route gains about 2,300 m and is normally split over two days. Snow covers the ridge from November to April, with cornices over the east face and frequent avalanches on the western slope.
Climbing Notes
In summer and early autumn the west-side route is a long, steady hike (T2–T3) requiring good fitness for 1,400 m of ascent and 7–8 hours return, and about 2.5 litres of water, as there is none on the route. Start early in summer to avoid the heat on the shadeless slope. Keep away from the edge of the east face, especially when cornices are present.
From November to May, snow lies on the upper slopes: bring crampons and an ice axe and assess avalanche conditions on the western slope. Stay overnight in a guesthouse in Poliçan or the Zagoria villages, or in Gjirokastër, and allow for slow driving on rough roads; a 4WD is advisable. The two-day route from Gjinkar (Përmet) is best done with a local guide, who can also arrange a mule for camping gear.
History
The name Papingu shares its origin with the Greek village of Papingo in Zagori; it combines the Albanian negative particle pa with peng ('pledge, hostage'), from Latin pignus. No reliable record of the first ascent was found.
Season
Best Sep–Oct- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Good
- June: Best
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Best (best window)
- November: Possible
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Deep snow; winter mountaineering only
- Feb
- Deep snow; avalanche risk on the west slope
- Mar
- Snow from about 1,800 m; crampons and ice axe; winter ascents recorded
- Apr
- Snow on the upper slopes; cornices on the ridge
- May
- Snow on the upper ridge early in the month; crampons useful
- Jun
- Good conditions; shepherds and dogs on the pastures
- Jul
- Hot, shadeless slope; start at dawn
- Aug
- Hot, shadeless slope; start at dawn
- Sep
- Good conditions, clearer air
- Oct
- Cool and often clear
- Nov
- First snow; strong cold winds
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- No huts. Guesthouses in Poliçan (e.g. Gavrilli Guesthouse) and other Zagoria/Pogon villages; hotels in Gjirokastër and Përmet.
- Rules
- The southern end of the massif lies on the Greek border; stay on the Albanian side unless crossing at an official border point
- Getting There
Gjirokastër; Përmet for the east side
Tirana International Airport (TIA); Ioannina (IOA) in Greece is closer
- By car: Gjirokastër – Libohovë – Gryka e Selckës gorge – Poliçan, then about 10 km towards Sopik via Skore; the road is rough and a 4WD is advisable
- East side: from Përmet towards Badelonjë, cross the Vjosa on a steel bridge and follow the river to Gjinkar; the footbridge from Petran is not suitable for vehicles
- Buses run from Tirana to Gjirokastër and Përmet; there is no public transport to the trailheads
Hazards
- Avalanche
- Cornices
- Exposure
- Weather
- Remoteness