The Kuç Connection- Part 1; Pilur
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 11.91 mi
- Elevation gain
- 2,454 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 1,627 ft
- Max elevation
- 2,334 ft
- TrailRank
-
76
4.7
- Min elevation
- 250 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Time
- one hour 31 minutes
- Coordinates
- 687
- Uploaded
- August 10, 2014
- Recorded
- August 2014
near Sen, Vlorë (Albania)
Viewed 15964 times, downloaded 680 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
If you enjoy high mountain passes with some exposure, toying through gravelly riverbeds and splashing through fords with crystal clear waters, the Kuç Connection is for you. While mountain ranges and rivers in this part of Albania generally follow a north-south direction, this trip moves from the west to the east, with a lot of up and down.
The trip comes in three parts, which we connected to a day's trip during the hot August season. All three can be combined with other trails described elsewhere on wikiloc. The first leads from Himarë at the Ionian coast to the old village of Pilur at 700 meter altitude, and then descends into the Kurvelesh valley near Kuç. For the rest of the trail, see the Kuç connection - Part 2 (wikiloc #7498443)
This is a serious off-road adventure, requiring 4WD and possibly engagement of low range for better traction or to better control steep descents. Kurvelesh authorities have been generous with road signs giving directions, though not necessarily with advice on what type of makina (vehicle) to use.
Needless to say, this is a trip of great scenic beauty and wilderness.
The road from Himarë to Pilur is signposted and consists of broken asphalt, reasonable dirt roads, and better asphalt near Pilur. There are nice views to the Ionian coast and Himarë. From there a serious descent into Kurvelesh begins. The dirt road is very narrow, and hugs the mountain until waypoint 04. From here to the main road to Kuç, the road is less exposed, but less well constructed and maintained. At the end of this stretch, you can decide whether to continue to Kuç and on to Gusmar (where the river trail experience will be had) or Borsh (wikiloc # 6434082) or to follow the long but generally easy valley road to Vlorë (wikiloc #6434082).
The trip comes in three parts, which we connected to a day's trip during the hot August season. All three can be combined with other trails described elsewhere on wikiloc. The first leads from Himarë at the Ionian coast to the old village of Pilur at 700 meter altitude, and then descends into the Kurvelesh valley near Kuç. For the rest of the trail, see the Kuç connection - Part 2 (wikiloc #7498443)
This is a serious off-road adventure, requiring 4WD and possibly engagement of low range for better traction or to better control steep descents. Kurvelesh authorities have been generous with road signs giving directions, though not necessarily with advice on what type of makina (vehicle) to use.
Needless to say, this is a trip of great scenic beauty and wilderness.
The road from Himarë to Pilur is signposted and consists of broken asphalt, reasonable dirt roads, and better asphalt near Pilur. There are nice views to the Ionian coast and Himarë. From there a serious descent into Kurvelesh begins. The dirt road is very narrow, and hugs the mountain until waypoint 04. From here to the main road to Kuç, the road is less exposed, but less well constructed and maintained. At the end of this stretch, you can decide whether to continue to Kuç and on to Gusmar (where the river trail experience will be had) or Borsh (wikiloc # 6434082) or to follow the long but generally easy valley road to Vlorë (wikiloc #6434082).
Waypoints
Intersection
1,444 ft
01-Quarry and Fork
09-AUG-14 11:23:05
Waypoint
2,247 ft
02-Pilur
09-AUG-14 11:43:33
Lake
Intersection
1,821 ft
04-Fork
09-AUG-14 12:02:11
Intersection
1,877 ft
05-Fork
09-AUG-14 12:06:49
Comments (11)
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This trail sounds amazing! Wonderful photos
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Great Track! Many Thanks!
Beautiful scenery, nice views, perfect! Thx!!!
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4x4 only
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beautiful
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Beautiful trip. We did it with our Defender, 4 kids and two tents on the roof. The trip was very nice and not too difficult. It gives a good impression of south Albania.
Hi, thanks for very detailed information. Do you happen to know if/where it is possible to rent a 4x4 close to Orikum or Vlorë? Thanks, Simon
I am not sure that here are agencies that rent you a 4WD. There are some that take you in their vehicle, or let you drive their vehicle in a guided tour. Try to google and check out Kazaku tours in Gjirokaster, or https://www.wikiloc.com/offroading-trails/cepune-narte-26062464
Appreciate it! Thanks, I'll have a look. Greetings from Dhërmi
Stan na czerwiec 2021. Widokowo piękna, ale budują drogę, także niedługo asfalt.
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You can drive a little more than half of this route. After that the road stops because of a new road they have built. Be careful, the original road stops very instantly on a high abyss. You can take another road down (take a right exit at the second crossroad instead of straight ahead on the green) and you will end up on the new road they have built. There you can also end up at the river. Still worth it!