Mali i Gurit
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 6.38 mi
- Elevation gain
- 2,546 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 2,546 ft
- Max elevation
- 5,974 ft
- TrailRank
-
49
5
- Min elevation
- 3,689 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 6 hours 37 minutes
- Coordinates
- 433
- Uploaded
- November 10, 2013
- Recorded
- November 2013
near Zabzun, Elbasan (Albania)
Viewed 2769 times, downloaded 70 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Mali i Gurit has been on our mind for quite some time. It is a prominent mountain seen from Librazhd. The road from Librazhd to Peshkopi - now being upgraded - leads past its foot at Fushë Studën.
Fushë Studën and Stebleve are central to the Jablanica - Shebenik National Park, though there is not yet much infrastructure. Some cabins have been under construction near Stebleve for the past several years, and Hotel Hasa in Studën has been renovated but is still very basic.
Mali i Gurit may not seem very high when in Fushe Studën, but it still is a respectable mountain. There are some logging roads that lead close to its summit, and there are some defunct military installations. It is possible to follow some roads for very short stretches, but most of the ascent is along narrow trails, sheep trails, or without trail.
We happened upon a very cold but clear day, and views were almost like never had before. One easily could make out the mountains from as far as Kukes (Gjallica Mountain) in the North, and Valamares and Tomorri in the South. And of course views reached from the Macedonia border in the East to Dajti Mountain in the West.
A special bonbon of the trip was our encounter with a horned viper, sometimes considered to be the most venomous snake in Europe. It didn't bother us, and we didn't bother it, and we departed leaving it motionless in the soon-to-be freezing night.
Note: We continued from the summit towards waypoint 12, which is what appears to be the summit when seen from Librazhd. This did add about two kilometers to the hike. Also, we had spent a long time enjoying the warm sun on the summit, so actual hiking time is much less than indicated by the trail information.
Fushë Studën and Stebleve are central to the Jablanica - Shebenik National Park, though there is not yet much infrastructure. Some cabins have been under construction near Stebleve for the past several years, and Hotel Hasa in Studën has been renovated but is still very basic.
Mali i Gurit may not seem very high when in Fushe Studën, but it still is a respectable mountain. There are some logging roads that lead close to its summit, and there are some defunct military installations. It is possible to follow some roads for very short stretches, but most of the ascent is along narrow trails, sheep trails, or without trail.
We happened upon a very cold but clear day, and views were almost like never had before. One easily could make out the mountains from as far as Kukes (Gjallica Mountain) in the North, and Valamares and Tomorri in the South. And of course views reached from the Macedonia border in the East to Dajti Mountain in the West.
A special bonbon of the trip was our encounter with a horned viper, sometimes considered to be the most venomous snake in Europe. It didn't bother us, and we didn't bother it, and we departed leaving it motionless in the soon-to-be freezing night.
Note: We continued from the summit towards waypoint 12, which is what appears to be the summit when seen from Librazhd. This did add about two kilometers to the hike. Also, we had spent a long time enjoying the warm sun on the summit, so actual hiking time is much less than indicated by the trail information.
Waypoints
Fountain
Intersection
3,757 ft
02-Fork
08-NOV-13 8:47:47
Mountain pass
Intersection
4,377 ft
05-Fork
08-NOV-13 14:29:33
Panorama
5,075 ft
06-picnic place
08-NOV-13 10:22:04
Intersection
5,292 ft
07-Intersection
go straight
Intersection
5,331 ft
08-Fork - turn left
08-NOV-13 10:40:43
Summit
5,951 ft
10-2nd summit
08-NOV-13 11:29:29
Summit
5,965 ft
11-3rd summit
08-NOV-13 12:36:09
Comments (15)
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Fortunately you saw it on time.
https://www.wikiloc.com/outdoor-trails/mali-i-gurit-5607055#wp-5607067/photo-2967723
I didn't!
I had already stepped over it, and Gabi who was behind me saw it then.... https://www.wikiloc.com/outdoor-trails/mali-i-gurit-5607055#wp-5607067/photo-2967723
I love the colours of this photo, and the details - like the string of sheep! https://www.wikiloc.com/outdoor-trails/mali-i-gurit-5607055#wp-5607059/photo-2967694
Great scene - it seems to capture the atmosphere so well. https://www.wikiloc.com/outdoor-trails/mali-i-gurit-5607055#wp-5607067/photo-2967725
Wow! https://www.wikiloc.com/outdoor-trails/mali-i-gurit-5607055#wp-5607067/photo-2967714
Not surprising you almost ran over it - it is camouflaged really well! https://www.wikiloc.com/outdoor-trails/mali-i-gurit-5607055#wp-5607067/photo-2967714
Can't believe how lucky you were not to step on it - phew! https://www.wikiloc.com/outdoor-trails/mali-i-gurit-5607055#wp-5607067/photo-2967723
Brilliant wildlife shot! https://www.wikiloc.com/outdoor-trails/mali-i-gurit-5607055#wp-5607067/photo-2967724
Thanks! https://www.wikiloc.com/outdoor-trails/mali-i-gurit-5607055#wp-5607067/photo-2967724
Very nice. Unfortunately I never saw one during my six hikes that I did in September/ October 2017.
I fear that the shepherds kill them. https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/mali-i-gurit-5607055/photo-2967654
Yes, many get killed though they are strictly protected. They are highly poisonous, but will not attack unless provoked. https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/mali-i-gurit-5607055/photo-2967654
Do they attac goats and sheeps? Did you hear about problems like that? https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/mali-i-gurit-5607055/photo-2967654
Not sure, but we met a shepherd (on another mountain) who had been bitten, and his face was as green as the grass. He was taken by horse to the valley. https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/mali-i-gurit-5607055/photo-2967654
Hope he survived. In Switzerland, where I live we have two poisonous snakes. Bu they are not very dangerous. In the year 1968 it was the last time that a Swiss died because of a swiss snake. https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/mali-i-gurit-5607055/photo-2967654
Very Beautiful