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Albania

Also known as Radohima, Ραντοχίμα, +2

Radohima · Ραντοχίμα · Maja e Radohimës · Maja Radohimës

Elevation
2,568 m
Prominence
861 m
Difficulty
4/10
Alpine hike
Best Season
Jul–Sep
Routes
1

Routes

1
3D Preview

Approximate line — not for navigation

An automated check found that parts of this line could not be matched to mapped trails, so it may stray far from the real route. Use it for planning only, with a map and a guidebook.

Why? 8 check notes
  • danger scan: Qafa Shtegu i Dhenve → Maja Vukalit: straight line 2094 m (limit 200 m)
  • danger scan: Qafa Shtegu i Dhenve → Maja Vukalit: straight line: 63° over 25 m (> 55°, high-res DEM)
  • danger scan: Qafa Shtegu i Dhenve → Maja Vukalit: sustained 61° > 40° on a straight line
  • danger scan: Qafa Shtegu i Dhenve → Maja Vukalit: straight line dips 378 m below both ends
  • ascent 2088 m is 2.3× the net gain 902 m: the line probably detours down and back up (not a traverse)
  • 82% approximate geometry
  • low confidence 0.44
  • Qafa e Thorës → Qafa Shtegu i Dhenve: bridge (snap_failed; one off-graph gap, 2.2 km)
SACT4ScrambleNormal route

Sources differ: Class 2 with short scrambling steps (drdirtbag.com trip report (2026)) · Very difficult (Wikiloc track ratings (September 2020))

An unhutted day ascent from the Thorë Pass (Qafa e Thorës, about 1,650–1,700 m) on the Bogë–Theth road: a shepherds' path over the Sheep Path col (Qafa e Shtegut të Dhenve) into the karst hollows of Radohima at about 2,000 m, up to the Radohima saddle, then left up a steep limestone ridge with short scrambling steps to the summit. About 13 km and 1,100 m of ascent return; 7½–8 hours round trip.

Elevation Profile

approximate line
1,5001,7502,0002,2502,5002,7500 km2468Qafa Shtegu i DhenveRadohima saddle
Distance
≈ 9.5 km
one way
Ascent
≈ +2,088 m
−1,187 m lost on the way up
High Point
2,568 m
Time Up
≈ 10h 31m
DIN 33466
Time Down
≈ 9h 19m
DIN 33466 · same way back

Start at the Buni i Bajraktarit restaurant on the Thorë Pass (Qafa e Thorës), where the SH21 crosses from Bogë to the Theth valley. Climb a little, then drop to the Sheep Path col (Qafa e Shtegut të Dhenve), about 2 km from the start, where the Sheep Trail to Theth branches off. The classic shepherds' path continues north-west into the Radohima hollows, a chain of grassy and stony karst basins at about 2,000 m below the south face, passing Maja e Vukalit; there is a spring (Burim Uji on OSM) in the hollows. Marking is sparse and the dogs at the summer sheep pens can be aggressive. Two lines lead to the top. The harder one leaves the path to the left soon after Maja e Vukalit and climbs straight up steep slopes to the south-west ridge; the easier one follows the hollows to their end at the Radohima saddle (about 2,150 m) on the path that drops to Theth, then turns left up the ridge, about 30 minutes to the summit according to Wikipedia. The upper slopes are a maze of limestone ledges, slabs and short steps; the easiest line is walking with hands, but it is easy to stray onto much harder ground. Near a false summit the ridge narrows and a faint trail appears; a few small steps need scrambling before the summit, which has paint marks. Descend the same way. A variant starts lower on the Bogë side, at a signed turn-off about 1 km below the pass (sign: about 7 hours), and follows a gated track and woodland paths to join the route. Late-lying avalanche snow can fill the hollows into early summer. In winter the classic path is exposed to avalanches: a March 2022 party went instead via the col between Mark and Zagora into the hollows and up a very exposed 60–70° snow ridge, with a rock step about 30 m below the summit; they used crampons and ice axes throughout and recommend a rope.

Start

Qafa e Thorës1,666 m

  • Summer minibuses from Shkodër to Theth use the SH21 over the Thorë Pass; ask to be dropped at the pass.
  • Parking at the trailhead

Stages

DayStagekmm ascentm descentTime
1Qafa e Thorës → Maja e Radohimës9.52,0881,18710h 31m

Waypoints

  1. Parking:
    Qafa e Thorës1,666 m

    Parking at the Buni i Bajraktarit restaurant; the OSM saddle node gives 1,704 m, GPS tracks start at about 1,630–1,650 m

  2. Col:
    Qafa Shtegu i Dhenve1,997 m

    Sheep Path col, about 2 km from the pass; the Sheep Trail to Theth branches off

  3. Feature:
    Maja Vukalit2,057 m

    The path passes this top on its east side; the harder direct line branches left soon after

  4. Feature:
    Burim Uji1,969 m

    Spring in the Radohima hollows; flow not confirmed in late summer (not on route line)

  5. Col:
    Radohima saddle2,118 m

    Position and height inferred from the OSM path and EU-DEM; not a named map feature

  6. Summit:
    Maja e Radohimës2,568 m

Key Passages

  • Route-finding from the Sheep Path col into the Radohima hollows
  • Ledges, slabs and short steps on the upper slope; easy to stray onto harder ground
  • Narrow ridge with small scrambling steps from the false summit

Equipment

0/8 packed
Technical
Safety
Footwear
Clothing
Navigation
Other

Downloads

Route confidence 44%

Overview

A bare limestone massif in the Albanian Alps between Theth and the Bogë side of the Thorë Pass, topped by Maja e Radohimës (2,568 m). The ascent is a long, sparsely marked day on shepherds' paths and karst slopes, finishing with easy scrambling on the summit ridge.

Radohina (Maja e Radohimës, also spelled Radohima) is a dome-shaped massif of Mesozoic limestone and dolomite in the Accursed Mountains (Prokletije) of northern Albania. It rises between the Theth valley to the south-east and Cemi i Vuklit to the north-west, with steep slopes falling towards the Bogë meadows and the Theth basin. Neighbouring tops are almost as high: Maja e Thatë (2,541 m) to the south-west and Maja e Vishnjës (2,517 m) to the north-east. Glacial cirques lie to the north-east and south-west, and the upper mountain is almost bare rock.

The usual ascent starts at the Thorë Pass (Qafa e Thorës, about 1,650–1,700 m) on the Bogë–Theth road and follows shepherds' paths over the Sheep Path col into the Radohima hollows, a series of karst basins at about 2,000 m used for summer grazing. From the hollows, steep slopes of ledges, slabs and short steps lead to the summit ridge. Expect around 1,100 m of ascent, 13 km and 7½–8 hours for the round trip. There is no hut and marking is sparse below the summit.

The reward is a view straight down into the Theth valley and across the Albanian Alps. Compared with nearby Jezercë or the Theth–Valbona pass, the mountain sees few hikers; you are more likely to meet shepherds and their dogs than other walkers.

Climbing Notes

This is a demanding mountain hike with some scrambling: you need fitness for a 7–8 hour day with about 1,200 m of ascent, sure feet on steep, loose limestone, and the judgement to find the easiest line through ledges and steps. Load an offline map or GPS track before you go, because the lower path is barely marked and the hollows are confusing in cloud. Carry 2–3 litres of water; there is only one spring on the route.

Stay in Theth or Bogë and start early to avoid summer afternoon thunderstorms. Give the shepherds' pens and their dogs a wide berth. Before July, snow often lies in the hollows and on the upper slopes; bring crampons and an ice axe and be ready to turn back. Winter ascents are serious mountaineering on avalanche-prone ground and best done with a local guide.

History

A memorial to the Hungarian geologist and Albanologist Baron Franz Nopcsa (1877–1933), who explored these mountains in the early 20th century, stands at the Thorë Pass at the start of the route. No reliable record of the first ascent was found.


Season

Best Jul–Sep
  1. January: Not advisable
  2. February: Not advisable
  3. March: Not advisable
  4. April: Not advisable
  5. May: Possible
  6. June: Good
  7. July: Best (best window)
  8. August: Best (best window)
  9. September: Best (best window)
  10. October: Possible
  11. November: Not advisable
  12. December: Not advisable
Jan
Deep snow; avalanche-prone hollows; winter mountaineering only
Feb
Winter conditions
Mar
Winter conditions
Apr
Heavy spring snow
May
Extensive snow above about 1,800 m; crampons and ice axe needed
Jun
Old avalanche snow in the hollows; upper slopes clearing
Jul
Best months; afternoon thunderstorms
Aug
Best months; shepherds and flocks in the hollows
Sep
Stable weather, fewer people
Oct
First snow possible; Theth guesthouses start to close
Nov
Wet and snowy
Dec
Winter conditions

Access & Permits

Hut Booking
There are no mountain huts. Stay in guesthouses in Theth or Bogë; there are restaurants at the Thorë Pass.
Rules
  • The east side of the massif lies in Theth National Park (OSM boundary); stay on paths and camp discreetly
Getting There

Theth; Shkodër is the regional centre

Tirana International Airport (TIA); Podgorica (TGD) is similar distance

  • By car: from Shkodër via Koplik and Bogë on the SH21 to the Thorë Pass, about 2 hours; park at the Buni i Bajraktarit restaurant
  • By public transport: summer minibuses run from Shkodër to Theth over the Thorë Pass; ask to be dropped at the pass
  • From Theth: the Sheep Trail (Shtegu i Dhenve) and a steep path via the Radohima saddle connect the valley with the route

Hazards

  • Exposure
  • Rockfall
  • Avalanche
  • Weather
  • Remoteness