DESCRIPTION
Among the most popular mountain ranges in Romania due to their convenient location between Bucharest and Brașov and also to the good transport infrastructure in their immediate vicinity, the Bucegi are arguably the most diverse mountains in the country. While they are not the highest at 2505 m.a.s.l. (Omu Peak), they gost a highly varied scenery, from the dramatic Eastern slopes complete with the steep gullies and walls making them very appealing for rock climbing, to the smooth, grassy Plateau and the bowl-like glacial valleys on the Northern side; the impressive Strunga Wall and the fine gorges and reservoirs at their bottom add to the attractions here, while a local highlight, the curious, element-shaped Babe (Ro. ‘Old Women’), Sphinx and Țigănești Towers draw even more people over. Our recommendation here is a hiking trip that starts on one side and goes down on the other, so as to see the different facets of the Bucegi. Or, well, as the tour below goes, a multi-day tour with a central base and radiating legs. Whether you have a single day or more days, the Bucegi are highly rewarding.
DAY 1
Bucharest – Sinaia – Dichiu Saddle – Peștera (drive) – Babele Hut – Off Piatra Arsă Hotel – Peștera (warming up trek)
Approaching the mountains and warming up while taking in the smooth Bucegi Plateau with its woods, pastures and junipers.
- Pick up in Bucharest.
- Drive to Peștera area via Sinaia.
- Lunch at the mountain lodge in Peștera area (not included).
- Trek: Peștera – Babele Hut – off Piatra Arsă Hotel – Peștera (ca. 1,5 hours to the Babele, 1 hour on the Plateau and 1 hour down in a relaxed pace). Technical data: 13 km. / +650 m. / -750 m. (there is a car transfer in the beginning saving mileage and gain).
- Dinner at the mountain lodge in Peștera area (not included).
- Accommodation in Peștera area, 3* mountain lodge.
DAY 2
Peștera – Strunga Saddle – Colții Țapului Peak – Bătrâna Shelter – Doamnele Valley – Peștera (trek)
Taking in the anti-Communist fighter stories of the 1950s, the grand views over the Rucăr – Bran pass from above the vertical Strunga Wall and the scenic Doamnele Valley with its myriad of falls.
- Breakfast.
- Trek: Peștera – Strunga Saddle – Colții Țapului Peak – Bătrâna Shelter – Doamnele Valley – Peștera (ca. 1,5 hours to the Strunga, 1 hour to the Coltii Țapului, 30 minutes
to Bătrâna Shelter, 2 hours down). If so requested, the route can be extended Bătrâna Shelter – Doamnele Peak, going down the Doamnele Crest, but the route down is a bit steeper, with a couple of sections of gravel (add 2 hours more). Technical data: 15 km. / +900 m. / -900 m. - Lunch pack from the accommodation (not included).
- Dinner at the mountain lodge in Peștera area (not included).
- Accommodation in Peștera area, 3* mountain lodge.
DAY 3
Peștera – Ialomița Falls – Obârșia Saddle – Omu Peak – Gaura Valley – Șimon (trek) – Bucharest (drive); or, for more dramatic scenery, but also involving a 200 more gain, Omu Peak – Scara Peak – Țigănești Crest – Clincea Crest – Bran (trek) – Bucharest (drive)
The summit day! Up the scenic Ialomița Valley complete with its falls, on to the Omu’s boulder (or, for those keen on stepping over the 2500 m.a.s.l. threshold – as going on the boulder requires free climbing skills and is officially banned -, a 15 minute ad-on with a hike up Omu’s neighbour, the 2503 m.a.s.l. Ocolit Peak), then down the bowl-like Gaura Caldera complete with its rocky terrain (of which a short steep section secured with a cable) and wonderful meadows. Optionally, another 15 minute detour to see Devil’s Mill Falls (particularly strong in May – June, rather weak in the fall).
- Breakfast.
- Luggage transfer Peștera – Șimon / Bran.
- Trek: Peștera – Ialomița Falls – Obârșia Saddle – Omu Peak – Gaura Valley – Șimon (2-3 hours to the Omu, 4-5 hours down to the trailhead in Șimon) OR Omu Peak – Scara Peak – Țigănești Crest – Clincea Crest – Bran (from the Omu 1 hour to the Scara, 1 more hour to Țigănești Shelter and 3,0-3,5 hours down to Bran). Technical data: 21 km. / +1050 m. / -1600 m. (the standard, shorter version).
- Lunch pack from the accommodation (not included).
- Drive from Bran back to Bucharest.
- Drop-off in Bucharest (accommodation not included).
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