From Veles to Veles

back to Albania site back to hikes and climbs back to Locations and Travel

From Velës to Velës

Summary: We found a trail from Rrëja e Velës to the main summit of Mali i Velës, the widely visible mountain behind Lezha town. We had climbed Mali i Velës before, from the village of Kalumet, from where a path leads to the weatherstation on the northern end of the main Velës Ridge. Then there was no time to continue to the main (southern) summit. Now we got serious about it.

To cut a long story and a long hike short, we did find a trail - but it it remains a tough hike. The ridge south of the main summit is 2.8 kilometer long, and for the most part is of karstic rock which can make for uncomfortable and slow hiking. To reach the ridge, you have to hike for 4.5 kilometer through terrain that is not always straightforward. The return hike makes for a total of 14.6 kilometer with a total of 1200 meter elevation gain and loss.

The reward is great. Velës mountain is standing by itself, close to the Adriatic Sea, and affords views in all directions. Though we hit a rather hazy day, we could see Rumoja Mountain in Montenegro, the snow covered Albanian Alps, Munellë Mountain, Gallicia near Kukes, the Crown of Lure, Mali i Dejes, Mali i Snojt, Mali me Gropa, and the "front range" near Tirana (Dajti Mountain, Kruja Mountain etc).

For those seeking variety, you may ascend by a shorter bushwhack to the main ridge. The bushwhack is steep (more than 60% in spots) and exhausting, though not exposed. The pleasure to emerge on the summit ridge free of vegetation is enormous.

There is very little water, if any, on Velës mountain and the hiking routes. Since you start close to sea level, the mountain can get very hot in the summer, so an early start is advised; or better do hike during the cooler season.

The Drive to the Trailhead:

Maximum altitude:	146 meter
Minimum altitude:	64 meter
Cumulative height:	96 meter
Cumulative length:	almost 5 kilometer
Difficulty	easy
Time:	20 minutes
Date of this record	April 2013
Download GPS info:	Drive to Veles

General location and approach: From Milot, travel into the direction of Kukes. Once the highway crosse to the northern side of the Mat river, watch out for the turn-off towards Rrëja i Velës (not signposted).

The Hike:

Maximum altitude:	1168 meter
Minimum altitude:	152 meter
Cumulative height:	1106 meter
Cumulative length:	7.3 kilometer one way
Difficulty	difficult
Time:	8 hours return
Date of this record	April 2013
Download GPS info:	Mali i Velës summit

General location and approach: Start at the school (or church) of Rrëja e Velës.

Other Information: Decide wether you wish to come and return the same way, or whether you wish to bushwhack up the ridge along the shortcut shown below. Either way, we recommend the regular trail for the return journey. This will add another 100 or more meters to the toal elevation gain.

The Bushwhack: Import this trail if you really want to bushwhack.

Maximum altitude:	842 meter
Minimum altitude:	543 meter
Cumulative height:	300 meter
Cumulative length:	1.5 kilometer
Difficulty	steep bushwhack
Time:	1.5 to 2 hours
Date of this record	April 2013
Download GPS info:	Veles south route bushwhack

General location and approach: Shortcut on the access route to the south ridge of Velës.

Other Information: It might be tricky to find the point where best to leave the main trail.

Mali i Veles, the object of our desire, on the left, seen from the road Tirana - Lezha

The river crossing at the trailhead, just next to school and a bit further on from the church in Rrëja e Velës

On the trail. In the distance snow-covered Mali i Dejës (see separate trail)

Crossing eroded parts and gaining the first view of the summit of Mali i Velës

At some point, the trail crosses a makeshift powerline. The live wires dangle about 2 meters above the ground. If you are tall, watch out.

A Fushë (or grazing area) high above the valleys.

View towards the long south ridge of Mali i Velës

Having gained the main ridge. The views open to the Adriatic Sea, with the town of Lezha and lagunes.

On the ridge. The view goes to the Crown of Lure and Mali i Dejës, both with a snow cover. Rarely is the path as visible as on this image.

For much of the time, the trail along the southern ridge is rather indistinct.

It is always advisable to stay as close to the center of the ridge as possible.

A cross at waypoint 8, where a path from Katundi i Vjetër joins the ridge.

Close to the summit area, looking back to the ridge we came. Far below, the highway Milot-Kukes.

View north from the main summit. The pyramid of the weatherstation is visible on the major bump in the ridge. We went there on a different trail, starting in Kalumet.

View west, towards Munelle Mountain (see separate trail)

On our way back. Hairy droppings - what animal would that be?

GPS and trailmaps: The map and trailinformation is generated by , based on GPS information collected from the actual hike. Waypoints can be downloaded to a GPS device from Wikiloc. If necessary, use GPSBabel to convert GPS data to different formats. For more hike descriptions by Palmtreetreeproduction, browse this website or visit Wikiloc and search for "Palmtreeproduction". You may also find nearby trails from other authors.

Google Earth: You may also view the trail in 3D when viewing it in Google Earth, which you need to have installed on your computer. The 3D perspective allows a good preview of gradients, steepness, possible views and is generally helpful when planning a trip.