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: Albanian Alps, Central Mountain Region, Southern Mountain Region, Coastal 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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