Transylvanian Alps Trek

We settle into our family run guesthouse in the quaint village of Magura, set within Piatra Craiului National Park. It lies about 105 miles (170 kilometres) from Bucharest Airport – the road journey takes around three hours thirty minutes. We highly recommend joining the group transfer – speak to your sales representative for timings. Owing to the late arrival of the transfer, dinner is a light snack. If you would like extra time in Bucharest, you can arrange additional nights through your sales representative.

This morning we meet our tour leader and fellow travellers to hear more about the days ahead. Over the next two days we tackle the Ascutit Peak Trail – a circular hike linking major peaks in Piatra Craiului National Park. Please pack a small overnight bag with essentials such as a spare tee shirt, a fleece, toiletries and a small towel. We set off from the guesthouse, descending to Botorog Fountain, then hike through forest and alpine meadows to the summit of Piatra Mica at 1,816m, where we pause for sweeping 360 degrees views towards Brasov. We descend through rocky patches and scree, at times using ropes, to Cabana Curmatura – our base for the night – giving us more time for tomorrow’s longer stage to Ascutit.

After breakfast we leave the mountain cabin and hike towards Turnu Peak, initially through forest to a viewpoint before the terrain turns rocky with some scrambling. Fixed ropes assist the first section of the rocky trail. From the top, we follow the ridge to Ascutit at 2,133m, then descend by a different route to Cabana Curmatura before continuing through forest and pasture to Magura.

We aim for La Om, the highest summit in the park at 2,238m. After a drive of about one hour to Plaiul Foii, we follow the Deubel trail through meadows and forest to a section of rocks and scree. The upper trail is exposed and involves sustained scrambling, though several cables secure the way. From the summit we descend through alpine meadows – with some rocky sections – to Grind shelter, continue to La Table, a meeting point for multiple trails, then drop through forest to the village of Pestera and on to Magura. Please note that this route is attempted only in dry weather – if it rains, the tour leader will offer an alternative.

This morning we drive about one hour to the foot of Piatra Mare at 1,884m, which we can attempt to summit today. Our ascent follows gravel paths and forest lanes and passes through the Seven Ladders Canyon – a spectacular gorge with waterfalls, metal ladders and steep rock walls. From the top of Piatra Mare we return to our start point on a different forest path.

Today we drive for about one hour to Cabana Gura Diham on the eastern side of the Bucegi mountains. We follow a marked trail through forest to Poiana Pichetul Rosu, a meadow where several paths meet, then continue along the Take Ionescu Trail to Cabana Malaiesti. Our lodge for the night sits in the scenic Malaiesti Valley – a peaceful place to relax and soak up the wild beauty of Romania before we tackle Omu Peak tomorrow.

We set off from Cabana Malaiesti aiming to stand on Omu Peak, one of Romania’s highest mountains at 2,505m. The route leads through the Malaiesti Valley before we traverse Brana Caprelor – Goats’ Ledge – a narrow path clinging to the seemingly vertical wall of Bucsoiu. After summiting Bucsoiu we follow the Bucsoiu Ridge to Omu. From the top we descend through alpine meadows – with some rocky parts – and forest to the village of Simon, where a transfer meets us for the return to Magura.

After breakfast our adventure concludes. We bid farewell to the guesthouse – which may feel like a second home by now – and begin the journey home. If you would like to extend your time here, you can speak to your sales representative about adding extra nights.