Hiking Mount Tujanit via Dajti Ekspres

Mount Tujanit in Albania is a perfect half day hike from Tirana. Located in the beautiful Dajti Mountain National Park, this trail leads through thick forests as it climbs towards the small peak, revealing beautiful mountains, lakes and valleys below.

This guide will provide you with all the information needed to plan your trip to Dajti and explore the nearby trails via the Dajti Ekspres.

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Mount Tujanit Trail Information

• Distance: 5.5km
• Elevation: 475m
• Trail Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Facilities: Washrooms at Dajti Ekspres

Dajti National Park

Dajti National Park is a protected area in central Albania and is located a 20 minute drive from the city centre of Tirana. This beautiful park spans over 29,000 hectares and can be accessed by road or cable car.  The park is known for its hiking, mountain biking, horse back riding, paragliding as well as family friendly activities like mini golf and roller blading.

There is a restaurant as well as one hotel at the top of Dajti Mountain

Best Time to Visit Dajti

For a snow free ascent and endless mountain views, I would suggest visiting during the summer months of June, July and August and the early fall of September to November. Temperatures will be at their hottest, but the trail will be dry and easy to navigate. The majority of the trail is through a thick wooded forest, with plenty of shade covering.

I visited Dajti in mid-April and encountered quite a bit of snow during the trail and peak. While the trail was still accessible, the views at the summit were obstructed by cold mountain mist. It rained a few hours prior to the hike resulting in a very wet ascent up muddy/snowy trail.

Dajti Ekspres Information

The easiest way to access Dajti Park is by using the Austrian made cable car Dajti Ekspres. This 4km long track reaches elevations of 1000m and the journey takes approximately 15-20 minutes. The cable car is opened from 09:00-18:00 and operates 6 days a week (closed Tuesdays).

 

Parking is free at the cable car, but spots are limited, especially during special events.

Using public transit, walking or a taxi is encouraged to get to Dajti Ekspres. My hotel was located 2km from the cable car, so I chose to walk to the site instead.

Tickets can only be purchased at the lower level of the cable car. Remember to indicate whether you want return ticket during your stay and hold on to your tickets.  Guests staying at the hotel on Dajti can use the cable car free of charge with a booking confirmation.

Current roundtrip prices for Dajti Ekspres:

Adults: 1200 LEK

Children (4-ll): 500 LEK

Infants (0-3): Free

Additional tickets for bikes, animals and activities can also be purchased at the lower level. Washrooms can also be found at the lower level, to the right of the ticket booth. Once you have your ticket, proceed up the stairs to access the car.

The journey along the track is stunning, as you watch the city fade into the distance. During a windy day, the cable car can swing quite a bit, so that is something to keep in mind, especially if you are afraid of heights.

Dajti Ekspres has an excellent website providing detailed instructions on how to reach the area by car, taxi, and public transit. Check out their site for transport options and other information here.

Trailhead Information

Finding the trailhead to Mount Tujanit can be slightly confusing, as signage is lacking in the area. While the trailhead is not marked, the hike itself has sufficient markers throughout.

To reach the trailhead, leave the cable car and follow the signs down towards the exit. Once outside the building, walk straight past the picnic area and two-gun ranges. Continue along this road for another 160m until you reach the Abandoned Hotel.

This brightly yellow coloured hotel stood out from the dull spring colours on the mountain. This hotel is, as named, abandoned. Visitors can explore in and around the area. As I was alone and this hotel was abandoned, I chose to pass on the exploration.

Walk towards the backside of the hotel, where you will find a small, unmarked trail leading into the woods. As ominous as this may seem, this is the beginning of the trailhead to Mount Tujanit.

Trail Overview

The trail to Mount Tujanit is approximately 2.75km one way, making it a short and simple hike. Shortly into the hike, there will be a sign posted on the left-hand side for Mt Tujanit and Qafa e Qershise. From here, it takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes to reach the summit. The trail has red and white markers throughout, making it easy to navigate your way through the forest, even with snow.

This slow and steady climb often crosses paths with two gravel roadways, so be cautious of any traffic in the area.

Around 1.6km from the trailhead, there will be a t-intersection and a sign. Taking the trail and roadway to the right, will lead to the summit of Mount Dajtit. The trail on the left has no signage but is the way to Mount Tujanit. Follow this route through a series of small switchbacks for another 1km to reach the summit.

If you have reached the summit on a clear day, you will be able to see the mountains surrounding Albania and the beautiful Lake Bovilla in the distance.

Lake Bovilla is a beautiful reservoir with plenty of hiking opportunities. The easiest way to reach the lake is with an organized tour (private or solo). Half day and full day tours are available.

Unfortunately, the mountain was covered in a heavy mist which obstructed most of my views, although I did manage to catch a quick peek of the lake.

Head back the way you came, or if you are feeling adventurous, continue your journey towards Mount Dajtit. From the t-intersection, it will add an additional 45 minutes (one way) to your hike. On a summer day, this would be a great addition, providing extra views of the city and beautiful mountainous region below. To return to Tirana, head back down towards Dajti Ekspress with your return ticket in hand.

Alternate Routes

If you are feeling even more adventurous and up for the challenge, you can skip the Dajti Ekspres and hike up the mountain range towards Mount Tujanit. I have not completed this hike, but AllTrails shows several different routes to the summit.

One route begins at the lower level of Dajti Ekspres and travels towards Chateau Fasel. From there, the trail leads into the park and slowly climbs through the mountain. The return journey is around 20km, with an elevation gain of over 1300m.

Additional Hikes in Albania

Southern Hikes: Maja e Qores, Saint Andreas Bay, Dhermi Beach

Northern Hikes: Selca Waterfall