Zavaline-Shirakë trailhead-Porocan

The biggest challenge for hiking Shirokë is finding a way to get there. Logging roads tend to be deeply rutted, and often impossible to maneuver for regular 4WD vehicles. Thankfully, there is a way that puts Shirokë into reach for a leisurely afternoon hike. The approach from Zavaline is in very good condition. However, for the return we selected a different trail down to Porocan, which is quite difficult. If you do not have much appetite for 4WD adventure, better return from to Zavaline and the way you came.

The 4WD trail to the trailhead of Shirokë connects to the trail from Gjinar to the Holta Canyon, which we published earlier (wikiloc #3245299). Note that the (earlier published) road from Elbasan to Gjinar is asphalt. From Gjinar to Zavaline is a small dirt road which is not in very good condition and somewhat exposed in the middle. From Zavaline to the Gramsh road is mainly on dirt, but generally easy.

Our 4WD trail to the trailhead of Shirokë starts in Zavaline. It goes east on a very good dirt road to the village Kamiçan and continues to a radio tower. Here, the road turns into a track. Continue on this track up to the trailhead for Shirokë for 4.5 kilometer. Should the trail become too difficult because of damage by timber trucks, you may consider leaving the vehicle and walk from there to Shirokë. The hike is described under wikiloc #7156049). Skip this part if you only seek a 4WD trail to Porocan

Shortly after the radio tower (when coming from Zavaline) another track turns off at waypoint 3 to the right to Porocan at waypoint 6. It is in very poor condition, badly eroded, and according to local knowledge no longer used. We expect this trail to become even worse, and possibly impossible, in due course. The most difficult spots are near the top, shortly after the turn-off. This is why we recommend to take this trail in this direction, as you will be able to quickly backtrack to Zavaline and Elbasan or Gramsh on comparatively good roads, should the need arise. In contrast, if you do this stretch starting in Porocan, you would only find out near the top of trail whether you will be able to continue or not, and return all the way on the very difficult track back to Porocan.

The road from Porocan to Gramsh is in good condition.