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][2] The average altitude of the country is 714 m (2,343 ft), almost three times that of Europe. The highest summits are situated in the Albanian Alps 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 in the east, and mountainous terrain in the interior and east. This combination of plains, hills, and mountains has resulted in a diverse range of geographical features, extending horizontally and vertically. However, this complexity has made regionalization 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. Louis' scheme was widely used until 1964, when it was replaced by Pandi Geço's proposed scheme which divided the country into four physiographic regions, listed as follows: Northern Mountain Region, Central Mountain Region, Southern Mountain Region, Western Lowlands and its hills. In 1990, Geço's scheme was improved through further research and consideration of ecological concerns, recapping all regions into 67 constituent subunits.[3][4][5]
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, and carried out his first expedition to Mount Cukal.[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 and was held at Mount Tomorr on July 27-28, 1949. A different expedition in the same mountain took place the following year on May 21, 1950, with Minella Kapo, a delegate from the highest forum leadership of the Committee, and an experienced mountaineering instructor, in attendance to witness the name-changing ceremony of the main peak from Çuka e Tomorrit to Çuka Partizani. According to mounteneering expert Aleksandër Bojaxhi, the new designation of this mountain peak and others that followed, was not decided by party officials or institutions but by sports forums and even mountaineers themselves.[8]
The mountain 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.[9]
| No. | Image | Mountain | Range | Height | Prominence | Isolation | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Korab | Korab | 2,764 m (9,068 ft) | 2,167 m (7,110 ft) | 90 m (300 ft) | ||
| 2 | Jezercë | Blloku Jezercë | 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 | Maja e Popllukës | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,578 m (8,458 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 | Maja e Brijasit | 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 | Maja e Shnikut | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,552 m (8,373 ft) | 618 m (2,028 ft) | 17 m (56 ft) | ||
| 10 | Gramoz | Moravë Mali i Vashës |
2,523 m (8,278 ft) | 107 m (351 ft) | 1.4 km (0.87 mi) | ||
| 11 | Maja e Gavnit | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,521 m (8,271 ft) | 338 m (1,109 ft) | 1.6 km (0.99 mi) | ||
| 12 | Gjallica e Lumës | Korab | 2,489 m (8,166 ft) | 744 m (2,441 ft) | 24.0 km (14.9 mi) | ||
| 13 | Maja e Papingut | Trebeshinë Dhëmbel Nemërçkë |
2,482 m (8,143 ft) | 1,797 m (5,896 ft) | 33.2 km (20.6 mi) | ||
| 14 | Maja e Langojve | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,426 m (7,959 ft) | ||||
| 15 | Qetat e Arushës | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,421 m (7,943 ft) | 120 m (390 ft) | 765 m (2,510 ft) | ||
| 16 | Çuka Partizani | Tomorr Kulmak Miçan |
2,416 m (7,927 ft) | 1,448 m (4,751 ft) | 65.6 km (40.8 mi) | ||
| 17 | Maja e Thatë | Shkëlzen Kollatë |
2,406 m (7,894 ft) | 302 m (991 ft) | 2.0 km (1.2 mi) | ||
| 18 | Shkëlzen | Shkëlzen Kollatë |
2,405 m (7,890 ft) | 384 m (1,260 ft) | 6.9 km (4.3 mi) | ||
| 19 | Koritnik | Korab | 2,395 m (7,858 ft) | 1,400 m (4,600 ft) | 9.9 km (6.2 mi) | ||
| 20 | Valamarë | Polisi Lenie |
2,373 m (7,785 ft) | 1,525 m (5,003 ft) | 26.5 km (16.5 mi) | ||
| 21 | Deshat | Korab | 2,372 m (7,782 ft) | 409 m (1,342 ft) | 51 m (167 ft) | ||
| 22 | Trekufiri | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,366 m (7,762 ft) | 65 m (213 ft) | 855 m (2,805 ft) | ||
| 23 | Maja e Kakisë | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,359 m (7,740 ft) | 506 m (1,660 ft) | 4.8 km (3.0 mi) | ||
| 24 | Ostrovicë | Ostrovicë Bofnjë |
2,352 m (7,717 ft) | 153 m (502 ft) | 2.7 km (1.7 mi) | ||
| 25 | Gramë | Korab | 2,344 m (7,690 ft) | 84 m (276 ft) | 1.7 km (1.1 mi) | ||
| 26 | 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) | ||
| 27 | Shebenik | Shebenik Jabllanicë-Belicë |
2,265 m (7,431 ft) | 1,336 m (4,383 ft) | 30.3 km (18.8 mi) | ||
| 28 | Jabllanica | Shebenik Jabllanicë-Belicë |
2,257 m (7,405 ft) | 456 m (1,496 ft) | 6.0 km (3.7 mi) | ||
| 29 | Dejë | Vargmalet e Lurës | 2,244 m (7,362 ft) | 1,403 m (4,603 ft) | 27.5 km (17.1 mi) | ||
| 30 | Biga e Gimajve | Maranaj Biga e Gimajve |
2,230 m (7,320 ft) | 424 m (1,391 ft) | 5.9 km (3.7 mi) | ||
| 31 | Maja e Harapit | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,218 m (7,277 ft) | 297 m (974 ft) | 1.1 km (0.68 mi) | ||
| 32 | Maja e Pallavërcës | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,195 m (7,201 ft) | 430 m (1,410 ft) | 7.7 km (4.8 mi) | ||
| 33 | Trojan | Malësia e Vermoshit | 2,194 m (7,198 ft) | 346 m (1,135 ft) | 6.1 km (3.8 mi) | ||
| 34 | Kallabak | Pllaja e Shishtavecit | 2,174 m (7,133 ft) | 340 m (1,120 ft) | 8.3 km (5.2 mi) | ||
| 35 | Kulmak | Tomorr Kulmak Miçan |
2,173 m (7,129 ft) | 721 m (2,365 ft) | 20 m (66 ft) | ||
| 36 | Lunxhëri | Shëndelli Lunxhëri Bureto |
2,155 m (7,070 ft) | 1,309 m (4,295 ft) | 10.3 km (6.4 mi) | ||
| 37 | Serakol | Pllaja e Shishtavecit | 2,153 m (7,064 ft) | 5 m (16 ft) | 174 m (571 ft) | ||
| 38 | Maja e Gjarpërit | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 2,142 m (7,028 ft) | 90 m (300 ft) | 842 m (2,762 ft) | ||
| 39 | Guri i Topit | Polisi Lenie |
2,125 m (6,972 ft) | 134 m (440 ft) | 2.1 km (1.3 mi) | ||
| 40 | Griba | Malësia e Kurveleshit | 2,122 m (6,962 ft) | 1,662 m (5,453 ft) | 77.4 km (48.1 mi) | ||
| 41 | Kunora e Lurës | Vargmalet e Lurës | 2,119 m (6,952 ft) | 549 m (1,801 ft) | 9.6 km (6.0 mi) | ||
| 42 | Mali i Balgjajt | Vargmalet e Lurës | 2,101 m (6,893 ft) | 1,141 m (3,743 ft) | 4.2 km (2.6 mi) | ||
| 43 | Dhëmbel | Trebeshinë Dhëmbel Nemërçkë |
2,050 m (6,730 ft) | 593 m (1,946 ft) | 560 m (1,840 ft) | ||
| 44 | Kolesjan | Pllaja e Shishtavecit | 2,047 m (6,716 ft) | 285 m (935 ft) | 5.4 km (3.4 mi) | ||
| 45 | Çikë | Çikë Lungarë |
2,045 m (6,709 ft) | 1,564 m (5,131 ft) | 19.1 km (11.9 mi) | ||
| 46 | Maja e Runjës | Vargmalet e Lurës | 2,036 m (6,680 ft) | 539 m (1,768 ft) | 8.5 km (5.3 mi) | ||
| 47 | Maja e Qorres | Çikë Lungarë |
2,018 m (6,621 ft) | 231 m (758 ft) | 3.27 km (2.03 mi) | ||
| 48 | Mali i Lopës | Martanesh | 2,012 m (6,601 ft) | 65 m (213 ft) | 1.4 km (0.87 mi) |
| No. | Image | Mountain | Range | Height | Prominence | Isolation | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Munellë | Malësia Pukë-Mirditë | 1,990 m (6,530 ft) | 1,028 m (3,373 ft) | 56 m (184 ft) | ||
| 2 | Polisi | Polisi Lenie |
1,974 m (6,476 ft) | 1,423 m (4,669 ft) | 12.3 km (7.6 mi) | ||
| 3 | Trebeshinë | Trebeshinë Dhëmbel Nemërçkë |
1,922 m (6,306 ft) | 1,369 m (4,491 ft) | 13.9 km (8.6 mi) | ||
| 4 | Lungarë | Çikë Lungarë |
1,854 m (6,083 ft) | 701 m (2,300 ft) | 6.6 km (4.1 mi) | ||
| 5 | Mali i Lucës | Fushëgropa e Delvinës | 1,833 m (6,014 ft) | 828 m (2,717 ft) | 23.9 km (14.9 mi) | ||
| 6 | Mali i Shpatit | Polisi Lenie |
1,823 m (5,981 ft) | 286 m (938 ft) | 9.0 km (5.6 mi) | ||
| 7 | Mali me Gropa | Skanderbeg Mountains | 1,822 m (5,978 ft) | 436 m (1,430 ft) | 11.2 km (7.0 mi) | ||
| 8 | Stugarë | Mali i Gjerë Stugarë |
1,806 m (5,925 ft) | 419 m (1,375 ft) | 1,594 m (5,230 ft) | ||
| 9 | Shëndelli | Shëndelli Lunxhëri Bureto |
1,802 m (5,912 ft) | 663 m (2,175 ft) | 18 m (59 ft) | ||
| 10 | Mali i Gjerë | Mali i Gjerë Stugarë |
1,789 m (5,869 ft) | 972 m (3,189 ft) | 464 m (1,522 ft) | ||
| 11 | Bureto | Shëndelli Lunxhëri Bureto |
1,763 m (5,784 ft) | 817 m (2,680 ft) | 428 m (1,404 ft) | ||
| 12 | Veleçik | Bjeshkët e Namuna | 1,727 m (5,666 ft) | 266 m (873 ft) | 5.2 km (3.2 mi) | ||
| 13 | Mali i Skënderbeut | Skanderbeg Mountains | 1,724 m (5,656 ft) | 499 m (1,637 ft) | 18.4 km (11.4 mi) | ||
| 14 | Cukal | Cukal Biga e Gimajve |
1,721 m (5,646 ft) | 235 m (771 ft) | 2.3 km (1.4 mi) | ||
| 15 | Qelqëz | Malësia e Dangëllisë | 1,662 m (5,453 ft) | 0 m (0 ft) | 53 m (174 ft) | ||
| 16 | Dajti | Skanderbeg Mountains | 1,613 m (5,292 ft) | 939 m (3,081 ft) | 36 m (118 ft) | ||
| 17 | Miçan | Tomorr Kulmak Miçan |
1,581 m (5,187 ft) | 33 m (108 ft) | 23 m (75 ft) | ||
| 18 | Maranaj | Maranaj Biga e Gimajve |
1,576 m (5,171 ft) | 235 m (771 ft) | 4.8 km (3.0 mi) | ||
| 19 | Kokojka e Frashërit | Malësia e Dangëllisë | 1,553 m (5,095 ft) | 108 m (354 ft) | 1.8 km (1.1 mi) | ||
| 20 | Guri i Capit | Morava Mali i Vashës |
1,547 m (5,075 ft) | 26 m (85 ft) | 330 m (1,080 ft) | ||
| 21 | Rrëza e Kanalit | Vargmalet Bregdetare Jonike | 1,499 m (4,918 ft) | 472 m (1,549 ft) | 5.9 km (3.7 mi) | ||
| 22 | Guri i Kamjes | Malësia e Gorës | 1,455 m (4,774 ft) | 0 m (0 ft) | 14 m (46 ft) | ||
| 23 | Shpirag | Kodrat e Mallakastrës | 1,198 m (3,930 ft) | 666 m (2,185 ft) | 20.9 km (13.0 mi) | ||
| 24 | Mali i Krujës | Skanderbeg Mountains | 1,166 m (3,825 ft) | 398 m (1,306 ft) | |||
| 25 | Mali i Konjakut | Lavan Konjak Galisht |
1,140 m (3,740 ft) | 1 m (3 ft 3 in) | 59 m (194 ft) |
