Tectonic Map of AlbaniaSource: Ministry of Mines and Energy Resources (1999)
Tectonic Map of Albania
Source: Ministry of Mines and Energy Resources (1999)

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]

Main peaks (+2,000 m)

No. Image Mountain Range Height Prominence Isolation Map
1
Velky Korab 2011.jpg
Korab Korab 2,764 m (9,068 ft) 2,167 m (7,110 ft) 90 m (300 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
2
Jezerski Vrh (2694) sa Karanfila (2480).jpg
Jezercë Blloku Jezercë 2,694 m (8,839 ft) 2,036 m (6,680 ft) 93.3 km (58.0 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
3
2013-10-05 Valbona, Albania 8304 (Maja Grykat e Hapëta).jpg
Grykat e Hapëta Bjeshkët e Namuna 2,625 m (8,612 ft) 822 m (2,697 ft) 8.2 km (5.1 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
4
Jezerca Massive.jpg
Maja e Popllukës Bjeshkët e Namuna 2,578 m (8,458 ft) 171 m (561 ft) 1.7 km (1.1 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
5
Aplet theth.jpg
Radohina Bjeshkët e Namuna 2,568 m (8,425 ft) 856 m (2,808 ft) 6.2 km (3.9 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
6
Maja e Hekurave (WPWTR17).jpg
Mali i Hekurave Bjeshkët e Namuna 2,560 m (8,400 ft) 495 m (1,624 ft) 5.9 km (3.7 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
7
Gryka e Hapëta.jpg
Maja e Brijasit Bjeshkët e Namuna 2,557 m (8,389 ft) 160 m (520 ft) 1.4 km (0.87 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
8
Kollata nga lart.jpg
Kollata Shkëlzen
Kollatë
2,553 m (8,376 ft) 519 m (1,703 ft) 8.1 km (5.0 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
9
Prokletje.jpg
Maja e Shnikut Bjeshkët e Namuna 2,552 m (8,373 ft) 618 m (2,028 ft) 17 m (56 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
10
Grammospeak.jpg
Gramoz Moravë
Mali i Vashës
2,523 m (8,278 ft) 107 m (351 ft) 1.4 km (0.87 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
11
Mountain icon-1.svg
Maja e Gavnit Bjeshkët e Namuna 2,521 m (8,271 ft) 338 m (1,109 ft) 1.6 km (0.99 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
12
Mali i Gjallicës Refleksion..JPG
Gjallica e Lumës Korab 2,489 m (8,166 ft) 744 m (2,441 ft) 24.0 km (14.9 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
13
SouthernViewNemercke.jpg
Maja e Papingut Trebeshinë
Dhëmbel
Nemërçkë
2,482 m (8,143 ft) 1,797 m (5,896 ft) 33.2 km (20.6 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
14
Mountain icon-1.svg
Maja e Langojve Bjeshkët e Namuna 2,426 m (7,959 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
15
Mountain icon-1.svg
Qetat e Arushës Bjeshkët e Namuna 2,421 m (7,943 ft) 120 m (390 ft) 765 m (2,510 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
16
Mountain icon-1.svg
Çuka Partizani Tomorr
Kulmak
Miçan
2,416 m (7,927 ft) 1,448 m (4,751 ft) 65.6 km (40.8 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
17
Maja e Thatë (2406 m) in the Albanian Alps.jpg
Maja e Thatë Shkëlzen
Kollatë
2,406 m (7,894 ft) 302 m (991 ft) 2.0 km (1.2 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
18
Valbona River near BC (WPWTR17).jpg
Shkëlzen Shkëlzen
Kollatë
2,405 m (7,890 ft) 384 m (1,260 ft) 6.9 km (4.3 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
19
Koritnik from Pashtrik.jpg
Koritnik Korab 2,395 m (7,858 ft) 1,400 m (4,600 ft) 9.9 km (6.2 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
20
Ohrid Maja e Valamarës.jpg
Valamarë Polisi
Lenie
2,373 m (7,785 ft) 1,525 m (5,003 ft) 26.5 km (16.5 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
21
Веливар (Дешат) 04.jpg
Deshat Korab 2,372 m (7,782 ft) 409 m (1,342 ft) 51 m (167 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
22
Trekufiri Kosovë-Shqipëri-Mal i zi ..jpg
Trekufiri Bjeshkët e Namuna 2,366 m (7,762 ft) 65 m (213 ft) 855 m (2,805 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
23
Maja e Kakisë (cropped).jpg
Maja e Kakisë Bjeshkët e Namuna 2,359 m (7,740 ft) 506 m (1,660 ft) 4.8 km (3.0 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
24
Ostrovitse mountain IMG 3140.jpg
Ostrovicë Ostrovicë
Bofnjë
2,352 m (7,717 ft) 153 m (502 ft) 2.7 km (1.7 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
25
Mali i Grames.jpg
Gramë Korab 2,344 m (7,690 ft) 84 m (276 ft) 1.7 km (1.1 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
26
11061 171199148219 666363219 2837546 1273806 n.jpg
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)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
27
Shebenik Mountain from Qarrishte.JPG
Shebenik Shebenik
Jabllanicë-Belicë
2,265 m (7,431 ft) 1,336 m (4,383 ft) 30.3 km (18.8 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
28
Jablanica Mountain, Black Stone peak from Struga 05.jpg
Jabllanica Shebenik
Jabllanicë-Belicë
2,257 m (7,405 ft) 456 m (1,496 ft) 6.0 km (3.7 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
29
Arras and Çidhën area.jpg
Dejë Vargmalet e Lurës 2,244 m (7,362 ft) 1,403 m (4,603 ft) 27.5 km (17.1 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
30
Mountain icon-1.svg
Biga e Gimajve Maranaj
Biga e Gimajve
2,230 m (7,320 ft) 424 m (1,391 ft) 5.9 km (3.7 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
31
Theth and Theth National Park, Albania 2017.jpg
Maja e Harapit Bjeshkët e Namuna 2,218 m (7,277 ft) 297 m (974 ft) 1.1 km (0.68 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
32
Mountain icon-1.svg
Maja e Pallavërcës Bjeshkët e Namuna 2,195 m (7,201 ft) 430 m (1,410 ft) 7.7 km (4.8 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
33
Mountain icon-1.svg
Trojan Malësia e Vermoshit 2,194 m (7,198 ft) 346 m (1,135 ft) 6.1 km (3.8 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
34
Mali Kallabakut.JPG
Kallabak Pllaja e Shishtavecit 2,174 m (7,133 ft) 340 m (1,120 ft) 8.3 km (5.2 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
35
Ritual lamb sloughtering on mount Tomorr - Mapillary (QKfr YNUIekjy7KXUrOLKA).jpg
Kulmak Tomorr
Kulmak
Miçan
2,173 m (7,129 ft) 721 m (2,365 ft) 20 m (66 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
36
Cajup.jpg
Lunxhëri Shëndelli
Lunxhëri
Bureto
2,155 m (7,070 ft) 1,309 m (4,295 ft) 10.3 km (6.4 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
37
Mountain icon-1.svg
Serakol Pllaja e Shishtavecit 2,153 m (7,064 ft) 5 m (16 ft) 174 m (571 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
38
Qeremi i Eperm.JPG
Maja e Gjarpërit Bjeshkët e Namuna 2,142 m (7,028 ft) 90 m (300 ft) 842 m (2,762 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
39
Mountain icon-1.svg
Guri i Topit Polisi
Lenie
2,125 m (6,972 ft) 134 m (440 ft) 2.1 km (1.3 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
40
Vjosa Valley with Kendrevica.jpg
Griba Malësia e Kurveleshit 2,122 m (6,962 ft) 1,662 m (5,453 ft) 77.4 km (48.1 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
41
Kunora e Lurës – Mapillary (564226591214665).jpg
Kunora e Lurës Vargmalet e Lurës 2,119 m (6,952 ft) 549 m (1,801 ft) 9.6 km (6.0 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
42
Mountain icon-1.svg
Mali i Balgjajt Vargmalet e Lurës 2,101 m (6,893 ft) 1,141 m (3,743 ft) 4.2 km (2.6 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
43
Përmet, Albania - panoramio (5).jpg
Dhëmbel Trebeshinë
Dhëmbel
Nemërçkë
2,050 m (6,730 ft) 593 m (1,946 ft) 560 m (1,840 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
44
Mountain icon-1.svg
Kolesjan Pllaja e Shishtavecit 2,047 m (6,716 ft) 285 m (935 ft) 5.4 km (3.4 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
45
Maja i Cikes, pohled na vrchol.jpg
Çikë Çikë
Lungarë
2,045 m (6,709 ft) 1,564 m (5,131 ft) 19.1 km (11.9 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
46
Mountain icon-1.svg
Maja e Runjës Vargmalet e Lurës 2,036 m (6,680 ft) 539 m (1,768 ft) 8.5 km (5.3 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
47
Snezny kotel na severnim svahu Maja Qores.jpg
Maja e Qorres Çikë
Lungarë
2,018 m (6,621 ft) 231 m (758 ft) 3.27 km (2.03 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
48
Bulqiza & Mali i Lopës.jpg
Mali i Lopës Martanesh 2,012 m (6,601 ft) 65 m (213 ft) 1.4 km (0.87 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania

Main peaks (+1,000 m)

No. Image Mountain Range Height Prominence Isolation Map
1
Mirditë District, Albania - panoramio.jpg
Munellë Malësia Pukë-Mirditë 1,990 m (6,530 ft) 1,028 m (3,373 ft) 56 m (184 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
2
Malesia e Polisit, Librazhd.jpg
Polisi Polisi
Lenie
1,974 m (6,476 ft) 1,423 m (4,669 ft) 12.3 km (7.6 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
3
Gryka e Këlcyrës - panoramio (2).jpg
Trebeshinë Trebeshinë
Dhëmbel
Nemërçkë
1,922 m (6,306 ft) 1,369 m (4,491 ft) 13.9 km (8.6 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
4
Mountain icon-1.svg
Lungarë Çikë
Lungarë
1,854 m (6,083 ft) 701 m (2,300 ft) 6.6 km (4.1 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
5
Mountain icon-1.svg
Mali i Lucës Fushëgropa e Delvinës 1,833 m (6,014 ft) 828 m (2,717 ft) 23.9 km (14.9 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
6
Mountain icon-1.svg
Mali i Shpatit Polisi
Lenie
1,823 m (5,981 ft) 286 m (938 ft) 9.0 km (5.6 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
7
Mali me Gropa.jpg
Mali me Gropa Skanderbeg Mountains 1,822 m (5,978 ft) 436 m (1,430 ft) 11.2 km (7.0 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
8
Murgana Mountain range.jpg
Stugarë Mali i Gjerë
Stugarë
1,806 m (5,925 ft) 419 m (1,375 ft) 1,594 m (5,230 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
9
Beçisht, údolí řeky.jpg
Shëndelli Shëndelli
Lunxhëri
Bureto
1,802 m (5,912 ft) 663 m (2,175 ft) 18 m (59 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
10
Gebirgszug Mali i Gjerë, Gjirokastra. - panoramio.jpg
Mali i Gjerë Mali i Gjerë
Stugarë
1,789 m (5,869 ft) 972 m (3,189 ft) 464 m (1,522 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
11
Mountain icon-1.svg
Bureto Shëndelli
Lunxhëri
Bureto
1,763 m (5,784 ft) 817 m (2,680 ft) 428 m (1,404 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
12
Mountain icon-1.svg
Veleçik Bjeshkët e Namuna 1,727 m (5,666 ft) 266 m (873 ft) 5.2 km (3.2 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
13
Kurbin and Kruja highlands (WPWTR16).JPG
Mali i Skënderbeut Skanderbeg Mountains 1,724 m (5,656 ft) 499 m (1,637 ft) 18.4 km (11.4 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
14
Cukali Mountain Aerial View.jpg
Cukal Cukal
Biga e Gimajve
1,721 m (5,646 ft) 235 m (771 ft) 2.3 km (1.4 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
15
Mountain icon-1.svg
Qelqëz Malësia e Dangëllisë 1,662 m (5,453 ft) 0 m (0 ft) 53 m (174 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
16
Mali i Dajtit.jpg
Dajti Skanderbeg Mountains 1,613 m (5,292 ft) 939 m (3,081 ft) 36 m (118 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
17
Mountain icon-1.svg
Miçan Tomorr
Kulmak
Miçan
1,581 m (5,187 ft) 33 m (108 ft) 23 m (75 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
18
Peaceful Shkodra lake view.jpg
Maranaj Maranaj
Biga e Gimajve
1,576 m (5,171 ft) 235 m (771 ft) 4.8 km (3.0 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
19
Mountain icon-1.svg
Kokojka e Frashërit Malësia e Dangëllisë 1,553 m (5,095 ft) 108 m (354 ft) 1.8 km (1.1 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
20
Guri i Capit.jpg
Guri i Capit Morava
Mali i Vashës
1,547 m (5,075 ft) 26 m (85 ft) 330 m (1,080 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
21
Rrëza e Kanalit, Vlorë, Albania 2017 06.jpg
Rrëza e Kanalit Vargmalet Bregdetare Jonike 1,499 m (4,918 ft) 472 m (1,549 ft) 5.9 km (3.7 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
22
Guri i Kamjes.JPG
Guri i Kamjes Malësia e Gorës 1,455 m (4,774 ft) 0 m (0 ft) 14 m (46 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
23
Überreste der Weißen Moschee (Xhamia e Bardhë) in der Burg von Berati, Albanien - panoramio.jpg
Shpirag Kodrat e Mallakastrës 1,198 m (3,930 ft) 666 m (2,185 ft) 20.9 km (13.0 mi)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
24
Kruja (WPWTR16).JPG
Mali i Krujës Skanderbeg Mountains 1,166 m (3,825 ft) 398 m (1,306 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania
25
Mountain icon-1.svg
Mali i Konjakut Lavan
Konjak
Galisht
1,140 m (3,740 ft) 1 m (3 ft 3 in) 59 m (194 ft)
List of mountains in Albania is located in Albania
List of mountains in Albania

See also

References

  1. ^ Kabo, Mevlan (1991). Gjeografia Fizike e Shqipërisë (1.2 ed.). Tiranë: Qendra e Studimeve Gjeografike. p. 1038.
  2. ^ Pumo, Eshref (1982). Buletini i Shkencave Gjeologjike (3 ed.). Tiranë: ISPGJM. p. 7.
  3. ^ Lack, Hans Walter (2020). "The early botanical exploration of Albania (1839–1945)" (PDF). Willdenowia. 50 (3). doi:10.3372/wi.50.50304. S2CID 229304802.
  4. ^ Ely, John (2002). "Rock Climbing and Mountaineering in Albania" (PDF). bigwalls.net.
  5. ^ Buda, Aleks (1985). Fjalori Enciklopedik Shqiptar. Tiranë: Akademia e Shkencave e RPSSH. p. 1248.
  6. ^ "Streifzüge in Ober-Albanien". Verhandlungen der Gesellschaft für Erdkunde. 24: 529-544. 1897.
  7. ^ "Buletini Mujor i Turizmit Shqiptar". Revista Drini (8). 1 October 1941.
  8. ^ Polovina, Ylli (2020). Qyteti pranë qiellit. Emal. p. 225. ISBN 9789928046277.
  9. ^ "Malet më të larta të Shqipërisë". shbat.org. Shoqata Bjeshkatarë dhe Alpinistë Tirana. Retrieved 16 March 2016.