Valamara
2,373 m
Albania
Also known as Валамара, Βαλαμάρα, +1Also known as
Валамара · Βαλαμάρα · Maja e Valamarës
- Elevation
- 2,373 m
- Prominence
- 1,526 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Jun
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: YDS class 1 (Petter Bjørstad, prominent-mountains.no) · difficult (Outdooractive overall rating) (Outdooractive)
A straightforward walk of about 1,000 m from the remote mountain hamlet of Grabova e Sipërme (about 1,365 m): a valley path east, a side valley to about 1,900 m, then open grass slopes to a gentle summit ridge with views over Valamara's glacial lakes. The real challenge is the long gravel-road drive in.
About 57% 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
- 56% approximate geometry
- DIN time up 4.76 h vs published 2.0 h (+138%)
- Hotel Grabova → Side valley turn (about 1,900 m): bridge (snap_failed; one off-graph gap, 3.7 km)
- Side valley turn (about 1,900 m) → Valamara summit ridge: dem (snap_failed, 1.6 km)
- Valamara summit ridge → Valamara: dem (snap_failed, 0.2 km)
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 5.5 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,144 m
- −128 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 2,374 m
- Time Up
- 4h 46m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 24m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Start at Hotel Grabova (Grabova guesthouse), a few hundred metres above the village of Grabova e Sipërme at about 1,365 m. Follow the good path east up the valley on the left (north) side of the river; there are springs along the way. Cross the first creek that comes down from the left and follow the path as it climbs more steeply into a small, distinct side valley. At about 1,900 m (roughly 50 minutes for a fast party) the path cuts back and climbs up to the left; you can also head straight up the slope and meet it higher up. It gains the broad grass slope that sweeps down from the summit ridge, which is reached at about 2,367 m. The highest point (2,373 m) is at the far eastern end of the ridge. The terrain is easy throughout and there is mobile coverage on most of the route. Published times vary: about 2 hours up from the hotel according to the local host and SummitPost (1 h 35 min for Bjørstad's fast party), around 5 hours for the round trip according to Albania Travel Guide, and 6–7 hours according to Outdooractive. Descend the same way, or combine the summit with the glacial lakes, including Black Lake (Liqeni i Zi), on a longer loop. The slopes are south- and west-facing and exposed to the sun; start early in summer.
Start
Hotel Grabova1,357 m
- Daily minibus from Gramsh (departing from the hospital at 13:00) to Lenie, returning at 06:30; then about 1.5 hours on foot to Grabova e Sipërme. Jeep taxis can be arranged in Gramsh or through Hotel Grabova.
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hotel Grabova → Valamara | 5.5 | 1,144 | 128 | 4h 46m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Hotel Grabova1,357 m
Guesthouse above the village of Grabova e Sipërme; road access by gravel/4WD track
- Feature: Side valley turn (about 1,900 m)1,897 m
Path cuts back up to the left (north) out of the small valley
- Shoulder: Valamara summit ridge2,356 m
- Summit: Valamara2,373 m
Key Passages
- Creek crossing into the side valley
- Grass slopes to the summit ridge
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 62%Overview
A broad, grassy ultra-prominent massif (2,373 m) in eastern Albania between Gramsh and Lake Ohrid, ringed by glacial lakes. The summit is an easy walk of about 1,000 m from the remote hamlet of Grabova e Sipërme; getting there is the harder part.
Valamara rises where the municipalities of Gramsh, Pogradec and Korçë meet, separating the Devoll valley and Gramsh to the west from the Shkumbin and Lake Ohrid watersheds to the east. With about 1,526 m of prominence it is one of Europe's ultra-prominent peaks, yet it sees few visitors. The massif is built of ultrabasic rock and carries clear traces of past glaciation, including seven glacial lakes above 1,600 m; the summit area is a rounded, bare ridge with three humps.
The normal ascent starts at Hotel Grabova, a guesthouse above the village of Grabova e Sipërme (about 1,365 m), reached on a long gravel road from Gramsh. From there a valley path and open grass slopes lead to the summit ridge in about two hours for a fit walker. There is no technical difficulty, and mobile coverage reaches most of the route.
Beech and pine forests cover the lower slopes, with summer pastures higher up. The massif is a population hotspot for the critically endangered Balkan lynx. Longer outings link the summit with the lakes, for example a 24 km loop from Lenie via Grabova, the summit and Black Lake (Liqeni i Zi), or an approach from Strelcë on the south-east side.
Climbing Notes
Any reasonably fit hill walker can manage the 1,000 m ascent from Grabova; allow 5–7 hours for the round trip at a relaxed pace, longer if you add the lakes. The main logistics are the approach and accommodation: drive from Gramsh (about two hours on gravel; some sources say a normal car can cope, others recommend 4WD), arrange a jeep taxi in Gramsh or through Hotel Grabova, or take the daily minibus to Lenie and walk about 1.5 hours to Grabova. Stay the night at Hotel Grabova and start early, as the open slopes get hot in summer. Carry enough water, sun protection and an offline map; waymarking is sparse.
History
No first ascent is recorded. When Petter Bjørstad climbed it in October 2007, the guest book at Hotel Grabova (first entry 26 May 2004) showed organised Swedish groups climbing the peak in two consecutive years.
Season
Best Jun- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Possible
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best
- October: Good
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; snow-covered and access road difficult
- Feb
- Winter conditions
- Mar
- Winter conditions
- Apr
- Snow likely on the upper slopes
- May
- Lingering snow possible high up; check conditions locally
- Jun
- Green pastures; start early to avoid the heat
- Jul
- Hot on the open slopes; afternoon thunderstorms possible
- Aug
- Hot on the open slopes; afternoon thunderstorms possible
- Sep
- Stable weather and cooler temperatures
- Oct
- Often fine in early October; shorter days and first snow later in the month
- Nov
- Early winter conditions likely
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Hotel Grabova (guesthouse above Grabova e Sipërme) provides rooms and meals; contact the owner in advance, as it is remote and may not be staffed when you arrive.
- Fees
- Jeep taxi from Gramsh to Grabova e Sipërme and back cost about 6,000 lek according to Albania Travel Guide
- Getting There
Gramsh
Tirana International Airport (TIA); Ohrid (OHD) in North Macedonia is closer to the eastern side
- Car: from Elbasan south to Gramsh, then about 40 km of mostly gravel road to Grabova e Sipërme (about two hours); 4WD recommended, although some report a normal car managing in dry conditions
- Public transport: one daily minibus from Gramsh to Lenie (departing from the hospital at 13:00, returning from Lenie at 06:30), then about 1.5 hours on foot to Grabova e Sipërme
- Jeep taxi from the Refati restaurant in Gramsh or arranged through Hotel Grabova
- South-east approach: from the Gramsh–Maliq road a 3 km gravel road leads to Strelcë; from there it is just over 10 km to the glacial lakes below the summit
Hazards
- Remoteness
- Weather
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,367 m
Hotel GrabovaHotelStaffed