Maybe you’re a hiking enthusiast looking for new mountains to conquer. Or maybe you’re just in search of a destination where you can enjoy fresh air. Maybe you want to find a place to relax and get closer to nature. You might be in search of adventure. Maybe you liked Into the Wilderness too much and want to experience a safer version of it. But you might want to enjoy what the mountains have to offer, without putting a lot of physical effort into it. In any case, the mountains in Romania are a wonderful choice for any of these reasons. No matter your fitness level, you can still find something that would suit you.
1. Bucegi Mountains (from USD 385.0)
The Bucegi Mountains are the most touristic mountains in Romania. This is probably due to the fact that they are relative close to Bucharest, hence they are easily accessible for tourists. The experience climbing the Bucegi Mountains is very different than other mountains in Romania. Here you will meet more tourists, interact with more strangers, and exchange stories and greetings. There are cable cars available and plenty of restaurants on top of the mountain. You can go up either from Sinaia, Bușteni, or Predeal. One of the most famous places to go to is Crucea de pe Caraiman (The Heroes’ Cross from Caraiman Peak). To get there, you have to get to Bușteni first. The easiest way up is taking a cable car from Bușteni to Babele Hut. From the hut, you still have a one and a half hour hike to get to the cross. The path is marked and very easy to find. The Bucegi Mountains are accessible both during winter and summer. Since there are many ski resorts, it makes for the perfect place to go skiing. The most famous ski resort in this area is in Predeal.
2-Day Hiking tour in Bucegi Mountains from Bucharest
Duration: 2 days
2. Parâng Mountains
Similar to the Retezat Mountains and Făgărași Mountains, the Parâng Mountains hosts many glacier lakes. They also hosts the fourth tallest peak in Romania: Parângul Mare Peak (2,519 m / 8,264.4 ft). The starting point of this trip is Petroșani. You have to head towards Groapa Seacă Hut where the marked path starts. Hiking from here up to Parângul Mare Peak takes around 5 to 6 hours, depending on your fitness level. The descent is faster (around 3 hours), but still demanding. You will pass a few lakes on the way, hence drinking water won’t be a problem. However, make sure you have prepared enough food, as once you leave Groapa Seacă Hut, you won’t have any places to buy food. The best time to climb Parângul Mare Peak is between June and September.
4-day hike in Parâng Mountains
Address: pick-up in Petroșani, Romania
Website: 4-day hike in Parâng Mountains
3. Apuseni Mountains
These mountains are probably the least popular to visit in Romania. There aren’t even so many locals who choose to hike in Apuseni Mountains, making them definitely off-the-beaten-path. However, they provide wonderful scenery and they are most famous for their many caves, most of which are accessible by car. Located in the Apuseni Mountains is the Apuseni National Park. You can either get there from Oradea as a main starting point or from Cluj-Napoca. The Apuseni Mountains have many different hiking routes that you can choose from, depending on your fitness level. Since they are not as high and steep as other mountains in Romain, most of the routes are also accessible during winter, yet the best time for climbing is between May and October. Make sure to buy a map before heading there; although the routes are fairly well marked, you might not meet anyone else throughout an entire day. Camping in and entrance to the Apuseni National Park is free of charge. While you’re in the area, make sure to include Scărișoara Cave on your itinerary — it has the largest underground glacier in Europe.
3-day tour of Apuseni Mountains
Address: pick-up in Timișoara, Romania
Website:
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4. Făgăraș Mountains (from USD 1.0)
The Făgăraș Mountains are perfect for mixed groups of experienced hikers and beginners. There are cable cars available here. During summer, you can even drive up the famous Transfăgărășan Road, which is a wonderful road that cuts through the mountains and offers impressive views.
In the Făgăraș Mountains, you can also climb Romania’s highest peak: Moldoveanu Peak at 2,544 m (8,346.45 ft). There are many huts and guesthouses to overnight on the mountain, most of them close to Bâlea Lake. They also serve food, so you don’t have to worry about carrying all of your food. But if you intend to go on a proper hiking trip, make sure to pack enough snacks. The best time to climb Făgăraș Mountains is between June and September. Transfăgărășan Road is always closed between the 1st of November and 1st of March, sometimes even longer, depending on the weather conditions. Hence, the mountain is not accessible during the winter.
Transylvania Hiking 2020
Duration: 8 days
5. Retezat Mountains
The Retezat Mountains are best for high level hikers, as there are no cable-cars available. The only place where you can get some food is Pietrele Hut, and apart from that there are no food options on top of the mountain. This means that you will have to carry most of your food up. The best time to climb is between May to September. Although the huts are open all year round, it is difficult and not recommended to climb during winter time without knowing the mountains well. There are two main access routes: from Hațeg (Sub-cetate, Nucșoara, Cabana Cârnic) or from Gura Apelor Dam. The mountain paths are very well marked (with a different symbol for each destination), making it easy for individual hikers to find their way. The most popular camping spot in Retezat is Bucura Lake, but you can also choose to over-night at Gențiana Hut or at Pietrele Hut. Before going, make sure you have proper hiking boots and decent equipment. Otherwise, getting on the mountain might be a struggle.
7-day hiking trip in the Retezat Mountains
Address: pick-up in Cluj-Napoca or Bucharest, Romania
Don't be afraid to get closer to nature
It’s amazing how calming it can be to be in the mountains. Time takes on a different dimension. You can spend hours just walking and wondering about the miracles of nature. There are no sounds apart from the wind, the rivers, and the animals. Often, there is not even cell reception. It’s the perfect place to re-connect with yourself and disconnect from the intense virtual life we all tend to have now-a-days. At the border between complete wilderness and accessibility, the mountains in Romania are definitely worth exploring.
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