Maja e Thatë, Mountain summit in Valbonë Valley National Park, Albania
Maja e Thatë is a limestone peak rising to 2,406 meters in the Valbona Valley, featuring steep rock walls that dominate the surrounding landscape. Dense forests of beech and pine cover the lower slopes and create a transition between the rocky summit and the valley floor.
The mountain formed through tectonic movements between African and Eurasian plates, creating the distinctive Dinaric karst structure that defines the region. Glacial processes later shaped the slopes and left geological marks visible in the landscape today.
The mountain holds meaning for local communities in the Albanian Alps, who reference it in their stories and traditional knowledge of the region. Its presence shapes how people experience and describe the surrounding landscape.
The climb requires good fitness and takes several hours, with marked trails available from Valbona village through Lugu i Rupës or from the Montenegrin side via Persllopi pass. Bring proper hiking gear and check weather conditions before starting, as the terrain can be steep and conditions change quickly.
Haxhia Cave penetrates the southern slopes and contains a cool spring emerging from underground, offering visitors a chance to explore below the surface. The cave extends significantly into the mountain and reveals the hidden geology beneath the visible peaks.
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