Maja Popluks / Popljuces (2569m) from Gropa te Bukura: Circular hike via Qafa Lugut Valit

A mountain with more than one name: Popluks, Paplukes, Popljuces... people can't agree! Let's stick with Popluks!

With 2569m it's only a mere meter lower than Radohima (one of our favourite mountains in the Albanian Alps) but often overshadowed by Jezerca (2694m), located less than two kilometres to the north. The mountain is barely visible from either valley, but appears very prominent when climbing Qafa e Pejes or Qafa e Valbones.

The only appealing ascend route starts from Gropa te Bukura ("the beautiful bowl"), see separate trail (Theth - Gropa te Bukura) that links to this track.
The route is circular starting from the "camp grounds" in the bowl, going up the valley between Jezerca and Popluks and returning on the talus field of Qafa e Lugut Valit, the saddle that connects Popluks with Maja e Alijes. It takes by calculation (for average fitness levels) 5:30h return, or around 3:15h to reach the summit (one way).
By mid of June we encountered lots of snow, which makes the ascent more difficult while the descend becomes a lot easier (one could easily ski down).
As Lugut Valit is very gravely you may want to avoid this route after all snow is gone. Instead of turning west you could also come down to Rragam (south east). This way serves as an alternative approach but is not recommended for filled with scree.

The mountain offers beautiful views in all directions but is often overlooked by hikers who too often only aim at Jezerca.

5th highest mountain of the Albanian Alps, also known as Accursed Mountains, Projkletije or Bjeshket e Namuna.

Zbulo offers guided and self guided walks to single summits, tailor-made walking holidays and multi day trekking tours in Montenegro, Albania and parts of Kosovo. Visit our website for more information and get in touch if you have any questions: welcome@zbulo.org