Bucegi Natural Park |
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Discover and enjoy a mystical land... which are the Bucegi Mountains. A world of relaxation and adventure awaits you in the beautiful landscape of Prahova Valley. |
Mystical Lands... The
legend of this mountains goes back in time for thousands of years.
It is believed that Bucegi Mountains were the KOGAION mountains from
ancient times. It is said that Zamolxis, the supreme God of the Dacians
(who are the ancestors of the Romanian people), had his home and sanctuary
in a cave, inside the Kogaion. According to Strabo [1], Zalmoxis retreated
in the Kogaion cave to consult the oracles. |
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 The cave must have been branched labyrinth-like, the legend said
that Zamolxis was disappearing for long lapses of time in the depth
of the mountain. A stream of limpid water rushed at the foot of
the Kogaion. In our days this mountain water is known as Ialomita,
and the cave from the legend is the Ialomita's cave (right photo).
(The cave can be visited by the tourists, it is illuminated and
has wooden made passages to avoid the interior water.) |
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Zamolxis's priests were known as ktistai (ascetes) or kapnobatai (cloud swallowers, or cloud walkers, allowing, thereby, to think that Kogaion is a rather high peak). Kogaion means "The had of the Magnificent" which in our days is known as the Sfinx (left photo). |
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Both "The Sfinx" and "The Old Ladies" are close to Babele Hut. The hut can be reached either by taking the Cable Car from Busteni, or hiking from Sinaia via Piatra Arsa Hut or hiking on the Jepi Valley, from Busteni. |
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Tribute to the Heroes |
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The Cross, is a monument commemorating
the heroes of the first world war. The monument is built at an altitude
of 2291 m. The base has a height of 15m and the cross itself has a
height of 30m. The construction of the monument started in 1926 and
ended in 1929. During nights with clear sky, The Cross is illuminated,
offering a great perspective from Prahova Valley. In the beginning
the electricity has been generated using a Diesel engine, now there
is an electrical cable which supplies the installation. |
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 The Cross can be reached
from Babele Hut in about one hour. There is a spectacular mountain
trail from the Caraiman Hut to the Cross and also a mountain bike
trail from the Babele Hut to the Cross. This later trail can be used
also during winter (when the Caraiman Hut-The Cross trail is closed). |
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The Mountain trails |
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In Romania, all the mountain trails
are marked with colored signs. The idea is that when standing near
a sign, one has to see the next sign, hence it is very difficult to
get lost. Bucegi Mountains have very good marked trails and the signs
are in very good condition. All the areas are patrolled by the mountain
rescue teams. There are also many mountain huts. These offer food
and accommodation, so they can be used if one is planning a longer
journey. |
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The mountain trails are also of many
difficulties. There are very easy ones and breath-taking ones, offering
also great panoramas. |
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Mountain biking |
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Bucegi Mountains offer also great MTB possibilities. The high altitude marked tracks are very good for biking, and one can reach by bike also the Omu Peak (2505m), the highest Peak in Bucegi. MTB's are available for rent in Sinaia. Montania offers experienced guides that can accompany small groups in MTB tours. |
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Rock Climbing |
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For rock climbers it is plenty of "walls" that wait to be explored. Some easy ones are available in Sinaia. However, the main "playground" for romanian climbers is Costila Region. Here you can see a list of possible trails. The access to Costila region is easy, only 30 minute hiking from the town of Busteni which is at 10 min distance, by car, from Sinaia. Some other climbing possibilities are in Padina. |
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[1] Strabo (born 63 BC or 64 BC, died ca. 24 AD) was a
Greek historian, geographer and philosopher. Nowadays, Strabo is mostly
famous for his Geographia, a 17-book work containing history and descriptions
of people and places all over the world as known to him. |
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Description – From Furnica Hotel, we have a continuous climb up to Saua Vârfului cu Dor (Vârfului cu Dor Saddle). On our way we pass near Bradet Hut, Alpin Hotel, Valea cu Brazi Hut. The trail is passing the spot called Piatra Turcului, climbing Furnica mountain. After we reach Vârfului cu Dor Saddle, we descent on Vârfului cu Dor Valley, passing Valea Dorului Hut and continues towards Laptici Saddle, the final descent being towards Pestera Hotel.
Description – Starting from Sinaia, the trail is climbing on Pelesului Valley, passing through Poiana Stanii (Stanii clearing). The climb continues on Piciorul Pietrei Arse, goes around Piciorul Pietrei Arse and has a mild descent towards Piatra Arsa Hut. Then we continue the descent towards Cocora-Laptici saddle and passing through Vârful cu Bradet clearing it descends to Pestera Hut. From here it follows the left side of Ialomita's Valley, passing Cascada Obârsiei (Obârsiei Fall) and climbs in Curmatura Vaii Cerbului. After a short final climb it reaches Omu Peak and continues with a mild descent towards North-North West, on Bucsoiu mountain. The trail goes to the right and descends abruptly in Caldarea Malaiesti, reaching Malaiesti mountain rescue hut. From this point it continues the descent through the forest and after the intersection with the trail that goes towards Diham Hut, continues towards left, descending in the forest road in Glajeriei Valley, following this road to Râsnov.
Description – From Poiana Stânei (Stânei clearing), the trail descends through the forest, passing Pârâul Pietrei Arse, and merges with the forest road in Valea Babei continuing towards Poiana Tapului.
Description – Very easy trail, following a forest road for around 2 km, at the end of this road follows a short steep climb.
Description – The trail is passing near Busteni cable car station and after the intersection with trail number 7 starts to climb through the forest, passing Urlatoarea Mare Valley, and following Urlatoarea Mica Valley.
Description – Starting from Busteni (near the Paper factory), the trail is common with trail number 5, passing near Busteni cable car station and following the forest road. After a short climb it goes into the forest, to the point "La Gratar". We pass the junction with track number 5 and we get out of the forest in the alpin region called Creasta Urlatorilor. It follows the region called ”La Scari” and after short climb the track reaches the mountain rigde, passing near Cantonul Jepi. At this point we have a superb panorama towards Prahova Valley. In a while we reach Piatra Arsa Hut. ATTENTION: THIS ROUTE IS CLOSED DURING WINTER!!
Description – Starting from Busteni, the trail is passing near Busteni cable car station, and follows the forest road, staying most of the time under the cable car line. The ascent becomes steeper and steeper, on the northern side of Jepii Mici mountain and after 1-1 ½ hours is reaching the main valley of Jepi Valley. The track continues on the southern side of Caraiman mountain, passing for several times the main spring and after a final climb, it's reaching Caraiman Hut. It continues in parallel with the cable car and after a short period it's reaching Babele Hut. From this point it is descending towards Pestera (the cave), passing near the cable car station Pestera and reaching Ialomita's Valley. The trail is continuing on this valley, passing near Padina Hut, through Cotenului and Tatarului gorges, on the western side of Bolboci lake, reaching Bolboci Hut and Bolcobi dam. Passing the dam, it goes towards the left to Zanoagei Hut and then is passing through Zanoagei Gorges and descends to Dobresti ATTENTION: BETWEEN BUSTENI AND BABELE HUT, THIS ROUTE IS CLOSED DURING WINTER!!
Description – Starting from Busteni, the trail is following Valea Alba street, and starts the ascent on Plaiul Munticelului through the forest; passing through Valea Costilei (Costilei valley), Valea Galbenelelor and is reaching Poiana Costilei (Costilei clearing). Then it's passing Valea Cerbului, through Poiana Morarului (Morarului clearing) and is reaching Poiana Pichetului Rosu from where it starts a more demanding ascent towards the point called ”La Prepeleac”. From this point the trail has a mild descend towards Saua Malaiesti (Malaiesti saddle) and then it descends in Malaiesti valley. ATTENTION: BETWEEN Pichetul Rosu clearing AND Malaiesti Valley, THIS ROUTE IS CLOSED DURING WINTER!!
Description – Until Costilei clearing see the previous description. From this point (Poiana Costilei), the trail is following towards west the valley and starts to climb on Morarului mountain, reaching Poiana Vaii Tapului, from where it continues on costila mountain until we exit the forest. It continues the ascent in the superior glacier Cerbului Valley until it is reaching Omu Peak (Omu Hut). Then it descends towards south, staying above Cerbului Valley, and offering us a great panorama of the track on which we just have been climbing. The track continues on the plateau, reaching Babele Hut and after a while Piatra Arsa Hut and the cable car station at Cota 2000 in Sinaia. ATTENTION: BETWEEN Costilei clearing - Omu Hut - Babele Hut, THIS ROUTE IS CLOSED DURING WINTER!!
Description - Starting from Busteni, the trail is following the road until Cabana Gura Diham. It starts to climb passing Cabana Poiana Izvoarelor, Poiana Pichetul Rosu and the point ”La Prepeleac”, from where the climb becomes very difficult (recommended to fit mountaineers) in the beginning through the forest, after that through rocky areas and reaching the sharp ridge at Cununa Bucsoiului. It's reaching Bucsoiu Peak, descends in Curmatura Bucsoiului and after a short final climb it descends in Curmatura Morarului. It follows a short climb of about 10 minutes towards Omu Hut. From this point the trail goes towards south, and then towards south-west, passing above Mecetul Turcesc and going towards Saua Strunga. ATTENTION: THIS ROUTE IS CLOSED DURING WINTER!!
Description– From Cabana Gura Diham (fromn Busteni 4,2 km on the road), the trail is climbing through the forest through Saua Baiului, following a forest road until Cabana Diham.
Description – A continuous descent from La Sipote till Valea Glajeriei.
Description - The trail starts from the national road 73 (DN 73), Predeal-Rasnov; through the forest until Pârâul Frasinet; from this point towards Cabana Diham and continuing towards Pichetul Rosu (mild ascent).
Description – From Podul Oprisului (in Valea Poarta), the trail has a continuous ascent until Vârful Scara (Scara Peak). From Poiana Clincii the ascent becomes milder. The trail is passing the point ”La Stânci” and Turnul Clincii (Clincii's tower), crossing the valley Urlatoarea Clincii and ascending on the western face of Tiganesti mountain, until Culmea Tiganesti. It's passing near Turnul Tiganesti and after the point called ”La Scara” it is reaching Vârful Scara. It follows a descend towards Hornul Mare al Malaiestilor and then it goes up to Omu Hut. ATTENTION: THIS ROUTE IS CLOSED DURING WINTER!!
Description – After is passing Bran village and is passing the intersection with the red cross trail (towards Gaura Valley), at 6 km from the intersection form the national road Brasov-Pitesti, the trail starts to climb passing through Poiana Ciubotei si Poiana Ciubotei de Sus and reaching Catunul Ciubotei. It continues to climb on Podul Spintecaturilor, close to Scara Peak, and it descends towards Hornul Mare al Malaiestilor, continuing with a final climb to Omu Hut. ATTENTION: THIS ROUTE IS CLOSED DURING WINTER!!
Description – After some time on a forest road which is marked with yellow triangle, at 5.5 km from the center of Bran village, the trail is starting an abrupt climb towards Poiana Dintre Vai, is reaching the inferior valley passing three glaciar steps (”Catunul de Jos”, ”Catunul Mic” and ”Catunul de Sus”), then it's having a steep climb on Scara mountain reaching Curmatura Hornurilor and after that Omu Hut. ATTENTION: THIS ROUTE IS CLOSED DURING WINTER!!
Description – Starting from Simon, at 5 km form the national road Brasov-Pitesti, the trail climbs through the forest and clearings until Poiana Gutanu. After that the trail goes towards east and then towards south, passing through Valea Grohotisului and continuing with a steep climb at the bottom of Muntele Grohotisului, reaching Saua Strunga. From this point it descends towards Padina Hut.
Description – The trail is is parallel with the road until Piciorul Seciului, when it starts a steep climb through the forest. After passing the Hunting hut and Stana din Gutanu, it climbs towards Coltii Tapului, reaching Saua Batrana. From this point it descends to Hotel Pestera through Valea Doamnele. ATTENTION: THIS ROUTE IS CLOSED DURING WINTER!!
Description – From the end of the forest road that is passing through Simon village, the trail is climbing in parallel with the mountaing spring, at the bottom of Grohotisul mountain, until Saua Strunga. From this point it descends to Padina Hut, on Muntele Colti.
Description – Starting from Curmatura Vârfului cu Dor, the trail is descending through Vârfului cu Dor small valley (which during the winter is the ski area) until Izvorul Dorului valley; it's passing two small springs and has a mild climb under Vârful Nucet. It continues descending through the forest, a bit above Bolboci Hut, on the left side of Ialomita's river, it continues to descend passing on the dam and reaching Bolboci Hut.
Description – From Babele Hut, the trail is going towards north-west, climbing towards Caraiman mountain, close to Eroilor Cross (The Cross). From the monument, it comes back on Caraiman Peak and descends in Sugarilor Saddle.
Description – The trail is having a moderate climb on Brâna Mare a Caraimanului. ATTENTION: THIS ROUTE IS CLOSED DURING WINTER!!
Description – From Diham Hut, the trail is descending through the forest until the intersection of Dihamului small valley with Glajeriei Valley, on which is passing and climbs towards Poiana Malaiesti Izvor.
Description – From Malaiesti Valley, the trail is following the valley in a mild climb, after a while is going towards left. It follows a steep ascent in S type of climb, and follows Brâna Caprelor until Creasta Bucsoiului Mare. ATTENTION: THIS ROUTE IS CLOSED DURING WINTER!!
Description – The trail is climbing through an area with lots of vegetation, until the saddle from Muntele Padina Crucii; it descends on Tiganesti valley. After passing near a small lake, it climbs on the eastern side of Culmea Tiganesti. ATTENTION: THIS ROUTE IS VERY DANGEROUS DURING WINTER!!
Description
– An interconecting route.
Description – The trail is passing through the central nordic ridge of Leaota Mountains, connecting Bucegi Mountains with the Rucar-Bran Valley, and after that with Piatra Craiului Mountains and Iezer-Papusa Mountains.
Description – From Omu Hut, towards south - south west, the trail is passing near Bucura-Dumbrava peak, then Gavanele Peak, descending in the glaciar valley Obârsia, close to Mecetul Turcesc.It's passing near Ialomita's fall, reaching Sugarilor Valley and merging in a mountain road that leads to Pestera Hut. ATTENTION: THIS ROUTE IS CLOSED DURING WINTER!!
Description – From Gavanele Peak we continue towards west and follow the trail that is passing above Mecetul Turcesc, towards Doamnele Mountain. The trail is reaching Cupola Gutanului and is passing Batrana Mountain, Stâncariile Tapului si Strungilor until Strunga saddle, from which it descends towards Padina Hut. This was the border trail between Muntenia and Transylvania and even today we can notice the width of the trail is can accomodate an old cart pulled by horses. ATTENTION: THIS ROUTE IS CLOSED DURING WINTER!!
Description – This trail is crossing the Plateau of Bucegi mountains from south to north, on its eastern ridge, passing near several important huts (Miorita, Piatra Arsa, and Babele).
Description – From the trail that goes towards Omu Peak, there is one trail which goes towards north east and then towards east, on the southern side of Caraiman mountain. From Caraiman saddle the trail goes towards west, continuing the climb towards Coama Caraimanului, passing the road Babele-Costila, and descending on Spinarea Costilelor to Saua Sugarilor. ATTENTION: THIS ROUTE IS CLOSED DURING WINTER!! |
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Romanian National And Natural Parks
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USEFUL INFORMATION AND PIECES OF ADVICE FOR HICKERS AND TOURISTS |
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| 1. Before leaving on any trip, get information on the desired itinerary, on the degree of difficulty of the trail, weather forecast and the schedule of cable transport facilities. |
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| HUTS IN BUCEGI MOUNTAINS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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"The Old Ladies" (Babele) is
another place surrounded by legend. It is said that the old woman
Dochia, has been transformed in rock together with her sheep exactly
in this place.(right photo).
