Hiking trails Bucegi mountains
Where are the Bucegi Mountains located?
Why visit Bucegi Mountains?
The best Romania hiking trails in Bucegi
The hidden natural gems in Bucegi Mountains
The Bucegi Mountains impress travellers and tourists from all over the world with their charming landscapes and mysterious legends woven around the giant Sphinx. The adventure starts from the foot of the mountains and continues sprinkled with the most pleasant surprises, as this area is an inexhaustible source of unique experiences: from hiking on spectacular trails, spending meaningful moments with the loved ones on the shores of Lake Bolboci, or just wandering the paths of the natural reservation Cheile Tatarului, where anyone can explore the highest Paleolithic resort in Romania, Pestera Ursilor.
Where are the Bucegi Mountains located?
Bucegi Mountains is in the eastern part of Southern Carpathians, only 2 hours away from Bucharest and less than 1 hour from Brasov, a town with a cultural, historical and culinary heart.
You can also try the cable car from Busteni, which can take you right on top of the Bucegi plateau. On top of this plateau, you can visit Cabana Babele (2206m).
If you are passionate about hiking, you can start your trip in the Bucegi mountains from several towns: Moieciu de Jos, Moieciu de Sus, Bran and Rasnov.
Why visit Bucegi Mountains?
Bucegi Mountains are the perfect destination if you are looking for a 1 to 2 days hiking trip. They offer amazing views and a well-maintained variety of hiking trails. These trails are suited for both beginners and more skilled hikers.
Hiking these trails is an opportunity to relax and reconnect with nature while following the marked paths. You do not have to worry about being lost as the markings are in good condition. If you want to spend a night or two on top of the mountains, there are several chalets where you can do so. You can also stop for a quick and heart-melting meal.
Most travelers are impressed by the glacial landforms they can observe during their hikes. These unusual landforms kept their shape and charm from the last ice age. During that era, the top of the Bucegi Mountains was covered by glaciers. As they melted, the glaciers left behind these beautiful glacial landforms like Malaiesti, Morarului Valley, Padina Crucii, Tiganesti Valleys, and Tiganesti glacial lake (2050 m).
The best Romania hiking trails in Bucegi
A most-visited summit on the Bucegi Massif is the Omu Peak. Getting to Omu takes around 6-8 hours, even for beginners with a slower rhythm.
More advanced hikers may enjoy the Jepii Mici trail, a more complex path but equally picturesque. This trail can take you straight to the touristic and mysterious rock formations Babele and The Sphinx.
From Cabana, Babele tourists can easily hike around 3 hours (round trip) to the Hero’s Cross. They need to follow the red cross markings and enjoy spectacular views of the Baiului Mountains once they reach the Hero’s Cross.
To get better acquainted with the official trail markings in Romania, you should know that these can have the shape of a cross, triangle, bar, and dot. These can have various colours, yellow, blue on a white background or plain red. Follow the marks painted on rocks, trees and poles.
The hidden natural gems in Bucegi Mountains
Bolboci Lake, located at a high altitude, 1438 meters, is also called the Sea from Bucegi, being one of the hidden gems in this area. This lake was created by blocking the Ialomita River with a dam in 1988.
From Bolboci Lake, you can easily reach the protected Bucegi Natural Park, situated 10 kilometres from Ialomita Cave and 8 kilometres away from Sinaia. The landscape is breathtaking because the artificial lake is surrounded by coniferous forests.
During wintertime, many tourists find their way to this beautiful lake to enjoy the magical aspect of the frozen lake and the fairytale-like pine trees, all covered in snow.
The Bolboci Cabin, with about 60 beds, restaurant, and terrace shelters since 1928 tourists from all around the world, interested in trying various hiking trails or mountain biking in the area. Other attractions include Plateau Cave Padina, Ialomicioara Cave, Zanoaga Gorges and Lake Scropoasa.
The Carpathian Sphinx of Bucegi, located at 2216 m altitude, is surrounded by mystery and various legends. These stories attract every year many tourists, interested in discovering the truth about the hidden tunnel in Bucegi while exploring the area, and immersing in the special energy emanated by this rock formation.
Babele (The Old Ladies) is a group of stones, situated in a close area to the Sphinx. Locals believe that these stones played an important role back in the days, is dedicated to the Sun and Moon, Sky and Earth.
Cascada Urlatoarea (Howler’s Waterfall) is another gem of the Bucegi Mountains, with a high flow and 15 m height. Some local legend says that the sound made by the falling water represents the sobbing of a young lady. Tourists visiting this amazing place may learn more about the legend and may find inspiration in these natural surroundings for adopting a slower pace rhythm in their daily life.
Pestera Ialomitei (Ialomita cave) is a complex cave, having a 480 m long level. The cave invites tourists to explore the combination of drifts and large spaces. The Pestera Ialomitei is also crossed by a spring. At the entrance, visitors can discover Manastirea Ialomitei (Monastery of Ialomita), with its architectural beauty dating back to the XVI-the century.
Cheile Tatarului (Tatar’s Gorges) is a part of Ialomita valley gorges, and an impressive reservation (from 1970), created to preserve different protected karstic landforms: limestone pavements, caves, and towers. In this area, Pestera Ursilor is the cave considered the highest Paleolithic resort in Romania. Those who love going on an adventure can explore the two corridors (88 m length and 25 m length).
Most tourists visit Bucegi Mountains for their natural landscapes and mysterious legends. At the end of their journey, they discover a higher meaning, enjoying leisurely life and pausing the mind troubled by present worries (pandemic, war, conflict).
Feel free to ask for more details regarding travel in Romania during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Travelling to Romania is safe and risk-free.
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