
A paved border road to Qafa e Morines in the Albanian mountains
Albania, europe
18.2 km
563 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Today we're talking about Qafa e Morinës, an international mountain pass straddling the border between Albania and Kosovo. This isn't just any border crossing; it's a high-altitude highway sitting pretty at 563 meters (1,847 feet) above sea level.
This scenic route connects the Gjakova District in western Kosovo with Kukës County in northern Albania, offering a gateway to the Albanian mountains. The entire 18.2-kilometer (11.30 miles) stretch is paved, so no need for a monster truck! Just follow the M9-1 in Kosovo and the SH-22 once you hit Albania. The road snakes its way from Ponoshec (Kosovo) to Bajram Curri (Albania), nestled in the Gjakova Highlands. Get ready for some views!
Where is it?
A paved border road to Qafa e Morines in the Albanian mountains is located in Albania (europe). Coordinates: 40.6131, 20.0078
Road Details
- Country
- Albania
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 18.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 563 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 40.6131, 20.0078
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