Maja Brijas 2561m

Maja Brijas is located on the south side part of Valbona valley. On the map it is named Maja e Zhapores.
Hiking this summit is difficult in summer. The trailpoint, 1000m, is in Valbona valley, we started our hike very early on the morning at Hotel Margjeka. Initially there is a trail which goes inside Fagus forest just behind Bujtina Malaj. The trail is covered by leaves and it is not easy to follow it. Roughly at 1.4km we deviated on the left to the last water source. Then proceeded on south west side and went on the other side of the dry river. We left the forest after 3.8km, altitude 1790m and continued up through a path with grass. Actually after 3.7km there is no trail anymore, we just followed the GPS path. It is mandatory to have ICE ACE and CRAMPONS. We walked through parts where snow is always there. We reached Qafa e Brijasit (saddle) after 5.4km, altitude 2430m. Then we descended approx. 130m on the other side of the mountain. After the saddle there are small and medium stones which slowed down our hike, there are part where stones are small and when you try to go up the stones get down. We faced some difficulties 250m before reaching the summit, the ascend is difficult with small stones and very steep, we had to used our hands for approximately 100m. It should be easier to walk through such terrain in winter. During our way to the summit we came across with 11 Alpine goats. On the summit the view is beautiful having a clear view in Valbona valley and Curraj i Eperm.
We descended on west side, this part is very steep and dangerous only in one location. We wanted to reach the trail that goes to Qafa e Zhapores. At certain point we just turned left inside Fagus Forest which was very dense and reached the trail after 100meters. This trail is well marked.
Some data taken from Garmin fenix 7
Distance up to the summit 7.8km
Total distance 17km
Elevation gain 1870m
Elapsed time 12h30min
26 June 2022