List of mountains in Albania
Albania is mostly mountainous, with the first alpine regions forming towards the end of the Jurassic period. During the Cenozoic era, the malformation of the Albanides accelerated, causing the subterranean landscape to take its present form.[1] The average altitude of the country is 708 m (2,323 ft), more than twice that of Europe.[2] Its highest summits are situated in the Accursed Mountains and the eastern mountain range, with Korab being the highest peak, at 2,764 m (9,068 ft) above sea level.
The country's geography is unique due to its location and varied relief, with landscapes ranging from mediterranean in the west to a more continental influence and mountainous terrain in the interior and east. Such combination of plains, hills and mountains has resulted in a diverse range of geographical features, extending horizontally and vertically. However, this complexity has made regionalisation challenging, as different authors have used alternating criteria and methods. In the 1920s, Herbert Louis proposed a scheme that divided Albania into two large regions: Inner Albania and Coastal Albania, each with specific subdivisions.[3] His scheme was widely used until 1964, when it was to be replaced by Pandi Geço's proposed scheme which divided the country into four physiographic regions, listed as follows: Albanian Alps, Central Mountain Region, Southern Mountain Region, Albanian Coastal Lowlands and its hills. By 1990, Geço's scheme was improved through further research and consideration of ecological concerns, recapping all regions into 67 constituent subunits.[4]
The earliest written accounts on the mountains of Albania can be attributed to German geographer Kurt Hassert, who explored the northern region of the country in June 1897, carrying out his first expedition to Mount Cukal.[5]
In 1926, British mountaineer C. M. Sleeman surveyed the mountains of northern Albania and his observations later appeared in the 42nd edition of the Alpine Journal.[6]
Distaptur Editions published in 1941 a mountain guidebook titled "Montagne d'Albania", authored by renowned Italian alpinist Piero Ghiglione and printed by the "Geographical Institute De Agostini of Novara". The guidebook includes a study of the rhapsodes of Albanian mountains by Nicola Lo Russo Attoma and contains 118 pages, featuring 60 black and white illustrations from photographs taken by Ghiglione.[7]
The first post-war mountaineering expedition in Albania was organized by the Committee of Physical Culture and Sports that took place on Tomorr in late July of 1949. A second expedition the following year was attended by Minella Kapo, a representative of the committee’s leadership and an experienced mountaineering instructor, who witnessed the renaming of the main summit from Çuka e Tomorrit to Çuka Partizani. According to mountaineering expert Aleksandër Bojaxhi, the designation of this peak and others that followed was decided not by party officials but by sports forums and even mountaineers themselves.[8]
Mountain database, PeakVisor, identifies 230 peaks exceeding 2,000 meters (including 6 ultra-prominent) and a further 856 peaks above 1,000 meters, though such figures may be inconclusive. Moreover, many listed peak names contain grammatical errors or non-standard exonyms and are incorrectly mapped.[9]
The peaks listed below are arranged by their massifs. Occasionally, the highest peak of the massif is listed instead, if it holds greater notability. The remaining mountains on the list are important landmarks of biodiversity, history, culture and economic impact.[10]
Main peaks (+2,000 m)
| No. | Image | Mountain | Range | Height | Prominence | Isolation | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Korab ultra |
Korab | 2,764 m (9,068 ft) | 2,167 m (7,110 ft) | 90 m (300 ft) | ||
| 2 | Jezercë ultra |
Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,694 m (8,839 ft) | 2,036 m (6,680 ft) | 93.3 km (58.0 mi) | ||
| 3 | Grykat e Hapëta | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,625 m (8,612 ft) | 822 m (2,697 ft) | 8.2 km (5.1 mi) | ||
| 4 | Popluka | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,569 m (8,428 ft) | 171 m (561 ft) | 1.7 km (1.1 mi) | ||
| 5 | Radohina | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,568 m (8,425 ft) | 856 m (2,808 ft) | 6.2 km (3.9 mi) | ||
| 6 | Mali i Hekurave | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,560 m (8,400 ft) | 495 m (1,624 ft) | 5.9 km (3.7 mi) | ||
| 7 | Brijasi | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,557 m (8,389 ft) | 160 m (520 ft) | 1.4 km (0.87 mi) | ||
| 8 | Kollata | Shkëlzen Kollatë |
2,553 m (8,376 ft) | 519 m (1,703 ft) | 8.1 km (5.0 mi) | ||
| 9 | Shëniku | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,552 m (8,373 ft) | 618 m (2,028 ft) | 17 m (56 ft) | ||
| 10 | Gusani | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,541 m (8,337 ft) | 107 m (351 ft) | 1.7 km (1.1 mi) | ||
| 11 | Maja e Langojve | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,540 m (8,330 ft) | 282 m (925 ft) | |||
| 12 | Gavni | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,530 m (8,300 ft) | 338 m (1,109 ft) | 1.6 km (0.99 mi) | ||
| 13 | Maja e Rosit | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,525 m (8,284 ft) | 481 m (1,578 ft) | 3.8 km (2.4 mi) | ||
| 14 | Gramoz | Moravë Mali i Vashës |
2,523 m (8,278 ft) | 107 m (351 ft) | 1.4 km (0.87 mi) | ||
| 15 | Maja e Vishnjes | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,517 m (8,258 ft) | 156 m (512 ft) | 3.9 km (2.4 mi) | ||
| 16 | Gjallica | Korab | 2,486 m (8,156 ft) | 744 m (2,441 ft) | 24 km (15 mi) | ||
| 17 | Papingu ultra |
Trebeshinë Dhëmbel Nemërçkë |
2,482 m (8,143 ft) | 1,797 m (5,896 ft) | 33.2 km (20.6 mi) | ||
| 18 | Peçmara | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,468 m (8,097 ft) | 337 m (1,106 ft) | 3 km (1.9 mi) | ||
| 19 | Maja e Bojës | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,461 m (8,074 ft) | 352 m (1,155 ft) | 2.2 km (1.4 mi) | ||
| 20 | Qetat e Harushës | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,421 m (7,943 ft) | 120 m (390 ft) | 765 m (2,510 ft) | ||
| 21 | Çuka Partizani | Tomorr Kulmak Miçan |
2,416 m (7,927 ft) | 1,448 m (4,751 ft) | 65.6 km (40.8 mi) | ||
| 22 | Maja e Boshit | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,416 m (7,927 ft) | 283 m (928 ft) | 2,953 m (9,688 ft) | ||
| 23 | Maja e Thatë | Shkëlzen Kollatë |
2,406 m (7,894 ft) | 302 m (991 ft) | 2.0 km (1.2 mi) | ||
| 24 | Bogiçaj | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,406 m (7,894 ft) | 136 m (446 ft) | 2.1 km (1.3 mi) | ||
| 25 | Shkëlzen | Shkëlzen Kollatë |
2,405 m (7,890 ft) | 384 m (1,260 ft) | 6.9 km (4.3 mi) | ||
| 26 | Maja e Pikëllimës | Koritnik | 2,393 m (7,851 ft) | 1,400 m (4,600 ft) | 9.9 km (6.2 mi) | ||
| 27 | Valamara ultra |
Shpat Polisi Lenie |
2,373 m (7,785 ft) | 1,525 m (5,003 ft) | 26.5 km (16.5 mi) | ||
| 28 | Deshat | Korab | 2,372 m (7,782 ft) | 409 m (1,342 ft) | 51 m (167 ft) | ||
| 29 | Trekufiri | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,366 m (7,762 ft) | 65 m (213 ft) | 855 m (2,805 ft) | ||
| 30 | Maja e Kakisë | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,359 m (7,740 ft) | 506 m (1,660 ft) | 4.8 km (3.0 mi) | ||
| 31 | Ostrovicë | Ostrovicë Bofnjë |
2,352 m (7,717 ft) | 153 m (502 ft) | 2.7 km (1.7 mi) | ||
| 32 | Grama | Korab | 2,344 m (7,690 ft) | 84 m (276 ft) | 1.7 km (1.1 mi) | ||
| 33 | Alshina | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,295 m (7,530 ft) | 119 m (390 ft) | 1.1 km (0.68 mi) | ||
| 34 | Mali i Thatë | Mali i Thatë Rakicë Llapisht |
2,288 m (7,507 ft) | 1,121 m (3,678 ft) | 30.3 km (18.8 mi) | ||
| 35 | Shebenik | Shebenik Jabllanicë Belicë |
2,265 m (7,431 ft) | 1,336 m (4,383 ft) | 30.3 km (18.8 mi) | ||
| 36 | Jabllanicë | Shebenik Jabllanicë Belicë |
2,257 m (7,405 ft) | 456 m (1,496 ft) | 6.0 km (3.7 mi) | ||
| 37 | Dejë | Lura Mountains | 2,244 m (7,362 ft) | 1,403 m (4,603 ft) | 27.5 km (17.1 mi) | ||
| 38 | Biga e Gimajve | Maranaj Biga e Gimajve |
2,232 m (7,323 ft) | 424 m (1,391 ft) | 5.9 km (3.7 mi) | ||
| 39 | Maja e Harapit | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,218 m (7,277 ft) | 297 m (974 ft) | 1.1 km (0.68 mi) | ||
| 40 | Vajusha | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,210 m (7,250 ft) | 182 m (597 ft) | 2.1 km (1.3 mi) | ||
| 41 | Pallavërca | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,195 m (7,201 ft) | 430 m (1,410 ft) | 7.7 km (4.8 mi) | ||
| 42 | Trojan | Vermosh Highlands | 2,194 m (7,198 ft) | 346 m (1,135 ft) | 6.1 km (3.8 mi) | ||
| 43 | Kallabaku | Shishtavec Plateau | 2,174 m (7,133 ft) | 340 m (1,120 ft) | 8.3 km (5.2 mi) | ||
| 44 | Kulmak | Tomorr Kulmak Miçan |
2,173 m (7,129 ft) | 721 m (2,365 ft) | 20 m (66 ft) | ||
| 45 | Lunxhëri | Shëndelli Lunxhëri Bureto |
2,155 m (7,070 ft) | 1,309 m (4,295 ft) | 10.3 km (6.4 mi) | ||
| 46 | Serakol | Shishtavec Plateau | 2,153 m (7,064 ft) | 5 m (16 ft) | 174 m (571 ft) | ||
| 47 | Maja e Gjarprit | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,142 m (7,028 ft) | 90 m (300 ft) | 842 m (2,762 ft) | ||
| 48 | Guri i Topit | Shpat Polisi Lenie |
2,125 m (6,972 ft) | 134 m (440 ft) | 2.1 km (1.3 mi) | ||
| 49 | Këndrevica ultra |
Kurvelesh Highlands | 2,122 m (6,962 ft) | 1,662 m (5,453 ft) | 77.4 km (48.1 mi) | ||
| 50 | Kunora e Lurës | Lura Mountains | 2,119 m (6,952 ft) | 549 m (1,801 ft) | 9.6 km (6.0 mi) | ||
| 51 | Balgjaj | Lura Mountains | 2,101 m (6,893 ft) | 1,141 m (3,743 ft) | 4.2 km (2.6 mi) | ||
| 52 | Dhëmbel | Trebeshinë Dhëmbel Nemërçkë |
2,050 m (6,730 ft) | 593 m (1,946 ft) | 560 m (1,840 ft) | ||
| 53 | Kolesjan | Shishtavec Plateau | 2,047 m (6,716 ft) | 285 m (935 ft) | 5.4 km (3.4 mi) | ||
| 54 | Maja e Çikës ultra |
Ceraunian Mountains | 2,045 m (6,709 ft) | 1,564 m (5,131 ft) | 19.1 km (11.9 mi) | ||
| 55 | Badarosha | Morava Mountains | 2,042 m (6,699 ft) | ||||
| 56 | Runja | Lura Mountains | 2,036 m (6,680 ft) | 539 m (1,768 ft) | 8.5 km (5.3 mi) | ||
| 57 | Maja e Qorres | Ceraunian Mountains | 2,018 m (6,621 ft) | 231 m (758 ft) | 3.27 km (2.03 mi) | ||
| 58 | Lenie | Shpat Polisi Lenie |
2,013 m (6,604 ft) | 185 m (607 ft) | 1.9 km (1.2 mi) | ||
| 59 | Mali i Lopës | Martanesh Highlands | 2,012 m (6,601 ft) | 65 m (213 ft) | 1.4 km (0.87 mi) |
△ majë(a)=peak; mal(i)=mountain
Main peaks (+1,000 m)
| No. | Image | Mountain | Range | Height | Prominence | Isolation | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Munella | Pukë–Mirditë Highlands | 1,990 m (6,530 ft) | 1,028 m (3,373 ft) | 56 m (184 ft) | ||
| 2 | Pashtrik | Has Highlands | 1,989 m (6,526 ft) | 1,423 m (4,669 ft) | 12.3 km (7.6 mi) | ||
| 3 | Arithi | Pukë–Mirditë Highlands | 1,981 m (6,499 ft) | 377 m (1,237 ft) | 7.8 km (4.8 mi) | ||
| 4 | Polisi | Shpat Polisi Lenie |
1,974 m (6,476 ft) | 864 m (2,835 ft) | 7.28 km (4.52 mi) | ||
| 5 | Rungajë | Korçë Basin | 1,945 m (6,381 ft) | 333 m (1,093 ft) | 10.1 km (6.3 mi) | ||
| 6 | Trebeshinë | Trebeshinë Dhëmbel Nemërçkë |
1,922 m (6,306 ft) | 1,369 m (4,491 ft) | 13.9 km (8.6 mi) | ||
| 7 | Kaptina e Martaneshit | Martanesh Highlands | 1,870 m (6,140 ft) | 226 m (741 ft) | 6.8 km (4.2 mi) | ||
| 8 | Lungarë | Ceraunian Mountains | 1,854 m (6,083 ft) | 701 m (2,300 ft) | 6.6 km (4.1 mi) | ||
| 9 | Maja e Lucës | Delvinë Basin | 1,833 m (6,014 ft) | 828 m (2,717 ft) | 23.9 km (14.9 mi) | ||
| 10 | Mali i Shpatit | Shpat Polisi Lenie |
1,831 m (6,007 ft) | 286 m (938 ft) | 9.0 km (5.6 mi) | ||
| 11 | Mali me Gropa | Skanderbeg Mountains | 1,822 m (5,978 ft) | 436 m (1,430 ft) | 11.2 km (7.0 mi) | ||
| 12 | Ujaza | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 1,821 m (5,974 ft) | 45 m (148 ft) | 494 m (1,621 ft) | ||
| 13 | Stugarë | Mali i Gjerë Stugarë |
1,806 m (5,925 ft) | 419 m (1,375 ft) | 1,594 m (5,230 ft) | ||
| 14 | Shëndelli | Shëndelli Lunxhëri Bureto |
1,802 m (5,912 ft) | 663 m (2,175 ft) | 18 m (59 ft) | ||
| 15 | Mali i Gjerë | Mali i Gjerë Stugarë |
1,789 m (5,869 ft) | 972 m (3,189 ft) | 464 m (1,522 ft) | ||
| 16 | Bureto | Shëndelli Lunxhëri Bureto |
1,763 m (5,784 ft) | 817 m (2,680 ft) | 428 m (1,404 ft) | ||
| 17 | Veleçik | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 1,727 m (5,666 ft) | 266 m (873 ft) | 5.2 km (3.2 mi) | ||
| 18 | Mali i Skënderbeut | Skanderbeg Mountains | 1,724 m (5,656 ft) | 499 m (1,637 ft) | 18.4 km (11.4 mi) | ||
| 19 | Goliku | Trebeshinë Dhëmbel Nemërçkë |
1,722 m (5,650 ft) | 155 m (509 ft) | 4.2 km (2.6 mi) | ||
| 20 | Cukal | Cukal Biga e Gimajve |
1,721 m (5,646 ft) | 235 m (771 ft) | 2.3 km (1.4 mi) | ||
| 21 | Krrabi | Pukë–Mirditë Highlands | 1,680 m (5,510 ft) | 85 m (279 ft) | 1.5 km (0.93 mi) | ||
| 22 | Guri i Muzhaqit | Çermenikë Highlands | 1,663 m (5,456 ft) | 210 m (690 ft) | 6.4 km (4.0 mi) | ||
| 23 | Qelqëz | Dangëllia Highlands | 1,662 m (5,453 ft) | 0 m (0 ft) | 53 m (174 ft) | ||
| 24 | Dajti | Skanderbeg Mountains | 1,613 m (5,292 ft) | 939 m (3,081 ft) | 36 m (118 ft) | ||
| 25 | Mali i Shejtit | Pukë–Mirditë Highlands | 1,583 m (5,194 ft) | 142 m (466 ft) | 1.3 km (0.81 mi) | ||
| 26 | Miçan | Tomorr Kulmak Miçan |
1,581 m (5,187 ft) | 33 m (108 ft) | 23 m (75 ft) | ||
| 27 | Maranaj | Maranaj Biga e Gimajve |
1,576 m (5,171 ft) | 235 m (771 ft) | 4.8 km (3.0 mi) | ||
| 28 | Postenan | Melesin Postenan |
1,559 m (5,115 ft) | 462 m (1,516 ft) | 9.2 km (5.7 mi) | ||
| 29 | Kokojka | Dangëllia Highlands | 1,553 m (5,095 ft) | 108 m (354 ft) | 1.8 km (1.1 mi) | ||
| 30 | Guri i Capit | Moravë Mali i Vashës |
1,547 m (5,075 ft) | 26 m (85 ft) | 330 m (1,080 ft) | ||
| 31 | Rrëza e Kanalit | Ceraunian Mountains | 1,499 m (4,918 ft) | 472 m (1,549 ft) | 5.9 km (3.7 mi) | ||
| 32 | Guri i Kamjes | Gora Highlands | 1,455 m (4,774 ft) | 0 m (0 ft) | 14 m (46 ft) | ||
| 33 | Mali i Krujës | Skanderbeg Mountains | 1,422 m (4,665 ft) | 398 m (1,306 ft) | 3.3 km (2.1 mi) | ||
| 34 | Melesin | Melesin Postenan |
1,411 m (4,629 ft) | 503 m (1,650 ft) | 4.8 km (3.0 mi) | ||
| 35 | Shpirag | Mallakastër Hills | 1,198 m (3,930 ft) | 666 m (2,185 ft) | 20.9 km (13.0 mi) | ||
| 36 | Velë | Skanderbeg Mountains | 1,172 m (3,845 ft) | 850 m (2,790 ft) | 20.6 km (12.8 mi) | ||
| 37 | Konjaku | Lavan Konjak Galisht |
1,140 m (3,740 ft) | 1 m (3 ft 3 in) | 59 m (194 ft) |
△ majë(a)=peak; mal(i)=mountain
See also
References
- ^ Pumo, Eshref (1982). Buletini i Shkencave Gjeologjike (3 ed.). Tiranë: ISPGJM. p. 7.
- ^ Serjani, Afat (1998). "Geomorphological sites of Albania". Geologica Balcanica. 28 (3–4): 129.
- ^ Louis, Herbert (1927). Albanien; eine Landeskunde vornehmlich auf Grund eigener Reisen. J. Engelhorns Nachf. p. 4–13.
- ^ Kabo, Mevlan (1991). Gjeografia Fizike e Shqipërisë (1.2 ed.). Tiranë: Qendra e Studimeve Gjeografike. p. 17.
- ^ Hassert, Kurt (1898). "Wanderungen in Nord Albanien". Mitteilungen. XXXXI: 351–379.
- ^ Sleeman, C.M. (1930). "The Mountains of Albania". Alpine Journal. XLII: 55–69.
- ^ "Buletini Mujor i Turizmit Shqiptar". Revista Drini (8). 1 October 1941.
- ^ Polovina, Ylli (2020). Qyteti pranë qiellit. Emal. p. 225. ISBN 9789928046277.
- ^ "Ultra mountains of Albania". PeakVisor. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ^ Halili, Gani (2023). Në 100 majat më të larta Kosovë & Shqipëri. Shtëpia Botuese "Iliri". p. 92–161.