Mali i Krujes is a climb of 13.7 kilometers (hors catégorie). The climb finishes at 1,130 m above sea level. It is located in Zgërdhesh, n/a, Shqipëria. The average gradient is 8.1% with a maximum of 17.6%. The climb has 1106 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: With 13.7 km for 1,106 m of climbing and an average gradient of 8.1%, Mali i Krujes from Zgërdhesh is a proper HC climb. The real challenge is the duration of the effort: the road never drops below 4% and gives you no real respite. The crux comes between km 6 and km 12, where the gradient hits 9%, then 11% at km 9-10 and 10% at km 10-12, before a final section that still bites at 7% from km 12 to km 13.
Tips for the climb:
1. Managing the first kilometres. From km 0 to 3, with gradients between 6% and 8%, keep a steady cadence so you reach the steepest part with your head still clear.
2. Preparing for the km 9 to km 12 block. When the road kicks up to 10-11%, pick a conservative gear and spin a smooth cadence rather than mashing the pedals.
3. Making the most of the easier stretch from km 4 to km 5. With the gradient easing to 4%, it's the perfect moment to drink, eat and get your breathing back before the second half of the climb.
Those who have ridden up to Mali i Krujës mostly talk about the view. You can see the town of Krujë, the lake and the mountains, and one rider describes it as a low-key spot, one of the most striking around Tirana. At sunset, the light over the west and the whole area is beautiful, according to several people. When there's haze, one rider says it's still worth looking at.
The road is paved the whole way. One rider finds it decent for Albania. It has plenty of switchbacks and in places it's fairly narrow, so stay alert when cars are coming up or down. Parking and access are free. On the climb, Albanian drivers heading up sometimes stop to offer you a lift.
At the top there are restaurants, including a new one near the summit that someone recommends. For kids, there's a playground with a plane. You'll also find a Bektashi temple, the tomb of Sari Saltik with a spring some people drink from, and an old hotel ruin that intrigues visitors.
The weak point is the fire. One rider says a major wildfire scarred the slopes: the descent towards Krujë needs real care, and the climb was tough at times, with smoke making breathing hard. It's not the same col as in the summit photos, so it's best to check conditions before you head out.
13.7 km • 1106 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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