Shtegu i Dhenve from Qafa e Thores to Theth: Forgotten trails (shorter)

Most people miss the opportunity to go on a hike when arriving to Theth but there's a multitude of walking options. The Shtegu i Dhenve is one of them and may be the most challenging.
Two versions exist of which this is the shorter one.
Ask your driver to be dropped off at the trailhead near Qafa e Thores (the pass). The trail is marked and starts right behind the highest point, shortly after you passed a small ruined building. Have your luggage taken to the guesthouse of your choice. The first two (minimizing walking distance) are owned by Plum Charku and his cousin Mehill Carku.

The recorded trail goes to the center of Theth and takes by estimation around 4:15h, better plan more as the trail is in bad condition. It can be shortened by up to 3km if you decide to stay in the first guesthouse along the way.

Your trail leads you past a small artificial pond up to a saddle from where you slightly descend on a good path to an area known as Gropa e Portes ("Valley of the Door"). This used to be the one connection on which all men, goods and animals travelled from and to Theth until the road was constructed in the 1930s.
Few stans (summer pastures) are still located here and across the Radohimes Massif invites for more daring hikes. Turning right in the small valley you pass a pond (polluted) and freshwater spring, which is not very reliable, before you ascend to the highest point of your hike at 1820m.
The following part called Shtegu i Dhenve ("Gates of the Goats" or "Ziegensteig"), a bridle path, is in poor condition and almost unused. Following the trail can be difficult and nowadays it resembles a scree field more than the former main connection of a whole valley.
At the bottom you reach the road but don't follow it and instead cut short at every possible point.
When you get closer to the center more shortcuts will be possible, it's best to download the Shkoder - Theth driving track and compare both to each other.

Beware that this is the site several accidents took place, it's easy to slip, so keep your eyes open, stay concentrated and take it easy.
Of course it's "safer" to tackle the Shtegu from Thethi but that makes for a very exhausting climb.

ZalaZ offers guided and self-guided walks to single summits, tailor made walking holidays and multi-day trekking tours in Montenegro, Albania and parts of Kosovo. Visit our website for more information and get in touch if you have any questions: welcome@zalaz.org