Over the Murrizë Pass

East of Albania’s capital, Tirana, rises the mountain massif of Mali i Dajtit. This is an extremely remote area where, apart from flocks of sheep, there are no signs of civilization. A natural track leads into this wilderness, offering excellent driving conditions—at least for motorcycles, cars, and campers. However, it’s too narrow for larger vehicles.

Starting Point: From Tirana, take the SH 61 to Zall-Dajt. Turn left, and the off-road adventure begins. A few uphill curves, a plateau, a handful of downhill bends, and the village of Zall-Bastar comes into view. The route then follows the Tërkuzë River, crosses the SH 61, and climbs gracefully toward the Qafa e Murrizë (Murrizë Pass). Standing at 1,231 meters, the Albanian word "Qafa" translates to "pass."

Beyond the summit, the gravel track—sometimes fine, sometimes coarse—gradually descends. Afterward, it follows the contours of the mountains, maintaining roughly the same altitude. The final descent into the SH 61 valley is made through a series of elegant switchbacks on finely graveled ground. The village of Fshat appears, marking the end of the off-road segment.