Radohimes (2570m) Circle - The mountain marathon

If there would be something like an Albanian mountain marathon, this could be it! With almost 34km lenght is resembles the route that the messenger Pheidippides ran 490 B.C in ancient Greece. The only difference, it took him two days!

Radohima appears from the valley bottom as a half moon shaped dome and it's peak is indeed a narrow ridge with steep walls to the North and South. This is the typical shape of many of the highest peaks in the Albanians Alps (like Jezerca or Gryka te Hapta) and is called in German Karlinge or described as a pyramidial peak in English, one of the most famous such mountains is the Matterhorn.
The peak separates two Karst plateaus that are surrounded by mountains often rising above 2400m. On the south it's Gropa e Radohimes, where Bulgarian Cavers possibly discovered Albania's deepest cave, the other lowers towards the Cem-Nikc Valley and features a small lake.

From the peak most of the major peaks of Prokletije are visible, views reach from Theth and Kelmend to Montenegro and Kosovo in the distance and on good days even as far as the Sar range, Durmitor and Albania's highest mountain at the border with Macedonia, Mt Korab.
As you might have noticed already, we simply love that mountain ;)

The walk was completed in June with lots of snow present, the route may change in later summer. The trail starts and finshes as Roza Rupa's guesthouse, it can be greatly shortened by car transfers on both sides. The first part follows the car road, see our other Qafa Thores trail if you like to avoid the drive way, and shortcuts over beautiful meadows with views to Okol and Qafa Pejes (where you will descend) to the North and Maja e Alijes to the NE.

Once you arrive at the Buni i Thores look for the marked turn off, the small lake to the left names this area as Liqeni i Thores. Arriving on the small saddle your views gaze over the valley of Gropa e Portes. The path is clearly visible and if you stick to the right leads you past a summer pasture to a small pond. Aim for the ridge right away or make your way up to Shtegu i Dhenve first. Follow the ridge and enjoy the briliant views, the pass above you at 2225m should be visible by now. It's a bit of an up & down but the scenery a lot nicer than the second trail into Gropa e Radohimes. Once you arrive at the rim make your way down, there's no clear path, watch your step as the kartic rock can be razor sharp. Traverse the valley and take new aim at the saddle East of the summit.
This part is steep and tricky, I got lost for a moment in the thick fog and started to climb the sheer wall, please do it better and aim for the saddle. After making your way to the summit return to this point and descend in the terraced canyon. Once you arrive at its mouth circle around Arapit, you could actually use the Western Arapit route but it's very steep, orientation difficult and the views on the extension well worth the detour; the good path from Qafa e Pejes makes up for the time-loss.

The rest of the track is straight-forward and brings you first to Okol and then back to the center of Theth.
Look at our Arapit Circle track for more information regarding this part and the Western route.
Keep in mind that the recorded trail is supposed to be scenic but not the shortest possible route. The most convenient place to break your journey is the Gropa e Radohimes.

ZalaZ 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