Ostrovica

Many visit the long time popular village Voskopoja for it's churches and fresh air. If you should undertake this trip from Korca consider spending one more day climbing dramatic Ostrovica and get a feeling what fresh air really means at it's peak at 2383m.

The hike starts at the upper center of Marjan, roughly 20km away from Voskopoja. The road that previously connected Marjan with Vithkuq is due to lack of maintenance now rendered impassable - even for 4wd cars. As the same is true for the connection to the Elbasan-Gramsh-Maliq road the valley is a big dead end and one has to return to Voskopoja.

Right after you leave the village on the road leading to the west you turn up (WP01) and follow the path of the sheep along the riverbed.
Make sure you cross the small stream (WP02) at the scattered metal pipes that once supplied water to the village. Keep following the sometimes more or less visible paths, stay on the most frequently used and head to the west.
Don't aim for the entrance of the canyon but the group of trees further up on the northern slope, once you get closer a small trail becomes visible that passes them. It was difficult to find the trail head of this path located above a ruined summer pasture (only stone walls left), maybe you can find a better connection (WP04).
At some points the path looks as small that you start to doubt to be right, don't worry and keep ascending until you reach the river (WP07), the only water source of this hike.

Climb to a table like rock on a small plateau and stay on the path in a riverbed that eventually turns south towards the higher peak. You can stay on sheep trails up to WP08 and then continue along the ridge.
Be aware that it becomes very narrow (1.50m) and exposed (steep drops) so pay attention and be careful (WP9). This part can be avoided by walking up on very steep gravel fields directly to the summit (WP10) but one would also miss out on best and very dramatic views of the craggy rock slates of the southern cliffs of Ostrovica!

On the top marvel about the views towards Tomorri (2416m), on a clear day you can see the mountains along the border with Greece, like Gramosh (2523m), and near Permet Nemercka's highest peak Papingut (2485m). The Kapinova valley separating you from Tomorri range (and leading towards Corovoda) is also a pleasure for the eyes.
14km long Ostrovica is formed like a J or hook and one can see several menacing peaks in the south as well as the tooth like last peak, still at above 2000m.
I kept following the ridge to scout if a traverse of the whole mountain would be possible but cut that part of the GPS track as it's quite hazardous.

From the summit you can see the trail to the lower northern peak, descend straight down to the saddle on the steep grassy slopes. Avoid gravel and you will be fine. At the base of peak you can pick up a little trail and follow it to the lowest point where you cross the mule trail (WP11) that you later descend on. Hike trail-less to the peak (WP12), use the big cairns as your waypoints.

From the peak return until you hit again the old mule path or tackle another steep descend where I put the note on the map.
On your descend you could visit the shepherds. They come as far as from Vlora and stay up to 6 month here (March-September), the way is more visible and meets the recorded track at around 1820m.
Arriving on a crossing (WP14) you can continue straight and walk the longer route or shortcut by turning to the NE. These paths are all used for by mules, means the gradient is easier and the trail wider compared to the ascend route.
Next to a ruined Stan (WP15) I did a mistake, you should try to rather continue towards the river and cross it as early as possible. Keep going down until you hit the old road and walk back on it to the village.

Estimated walking time is 9:30h, accordingly to the formula a return hike to the highest peak only would take around 7:30h - it's worth investing these two more hours.