Hiking Tour in Fagaras Mountains – 8 Days

Hiking tour in Fagaras mountains

This is a 9 day adventure hike that takes us along the main ridge of the largest and highest mountain in Romania. We hike the entire 80km ridge of the Transylvanian Alps from West to East and climb the highest peaks in the Romanian Carpathians: Moldoveanu 2544m, Negoiu 2535m and Vistea 2527m. This trip is meant for adventurous mountain lovers that enjoy long hikes and wilderness. Accommodation is provided mountain shelters, chalets and boarding houses.

Day 1: Bucharest Airport Transfer – Brasov

This hiking tour can start from Bucharest or from Brasov. We can pick you up from your hotel in Bucharest or directly from the airport in Bucharest. Depending on your arrival time we can go straight to Brasov or before reaching there we can visit two of the best touristic attractions of Romania. The first one in Peles Castle located in the mountain area of Sinaia.

Peles Castle Complex – here is one of the best-preserved royal palaces in Europe. The Castle is full of ornaments the inside as well as on the outside, and features elaborate wood sculptures and paintings representing scenes from the works of German composer Richard Wagner.

Continuing to Bran Village through a dramatic mountain landscape, we reach the legendary Dracula`s Castle.The first historical reference of Bran Castle is a document issued on November 19, 1377 by Ludwig I d’Anjou, by which Brasov inhabitants received the privilege of building the a fortress “at their own work and expense”. Between 1920-1927 Bran Castle was restored under the supervision of Karel Liman, the architect of the Royal Court, who turned it in a beautiful summer residence surrounded by a park with promenade alleys, lake, fountains, arbors, and a tea house. In 1938 Queen Maria of Romania bequeathed Bran Castle with all its domains, to her daughter Princess Ileana, who owned it until 1948.

Brasov walking tour. Brasov is surrounded by the Southern peaks of the Carpathians, and is part of the Transylvania Region. We take a stroll on the medieval streets of Brasov showing you the attractions of this wonderful medieval town. Accommodation to 3 stars pension. Traditional Romanian dinner.

Day 2: After breakfast transfer from Brasov – to Porumbacu de Sus Village located at the foothills of Carpathians and Fagaras Mountain Range

From this point we leave the car, we take our backpacks and start the hiking adventure exploring the Fagaras Mountain Range. From Porumbacu Village there are two different main access routes to the summit. One leads towards Negoiu Chalet to the north-west of Negoiu peak through Piatra Prânzului and the other one leads to Negoiu Chalet to the north-east through Râul Mare Valley.

Făgăraş Mountains belong to the Southern Carpathians and are one of the most impressive mountain ranges in Romania. These are the country’s highest and largest mountains, 70 km in length, 40 km in width covering an area of 3,000 square kilometers.

The wild beauty of the landscapes: a great number of prominent summits, narrow crests, deep valleys and picturesque tarns inspired the French scientist Emmanuel de Martonne to refer to the Făgăraş Mountains as the Transylvanian Alps. This nickname is more often used, however, for all of the South Carpathians.

From Porumbacu de Sus, the trekking tour to Negoiu Chalet (1540m) will take 5-6 hours and is a medium difficulty track.

Lunch to go. Accommodation to Negoiu Chalet (shower and toilets on the hall). Dinner.

Day 3: Negoiu Chalet – Negoiu Peak – Balea Lake

The main goal of this day is to climb the second highest peak of Romania, Negoiu, with the altitude of 2535 m: duration 3 – 4 hours, medium to hard, uphill 1000 m. This will be another wonderful hiking day from Negoiu Chalet to Negoiu Peak and then Balea Lake. The climb is long so you have to be in good shape, but you do not need technical training till you reach the ridge. The first section of the trail leads us through the woods to reach the rivulets. There are 9 wooden bridges across these rivulets. This section is called Kite Road. After two hours of walking, we reach the fallen rocks that we will have to pass. Pegs and steel ropes from Devil`s Breach can be found so you are free to climb some places where the cliffs are almost perpendicular. During this hiking day, you will be astonished by some great views such as Cleopatra’s Arch, The Scissors etc. One more ascent and we find ourselves in Michael’s Pass. The trail leads us to the other side of Saratii Rock by crossing Small Negoiul Peak, 2485m. Here we descend to a small pass. The last ascent takes us to Negoiu Peak (2535m).

After we take some great pictures with Romanian Carpathians, we continue our hiking tour to Balea Lake: duration 4 – 5 hours, medium to hard, excellent view throughout the day, uphill/downhill walk: 1.200 m/1.100 m. Accommodation to Balea Chalet in double room, private facilities. Dinner.

Day 4: Breakfast. Balea Lake Chalet – Capra Lake – Vanatoarea lui Buteanu Peak – Balea Lake Chalet

Well hidden in the heart of Fagaras Mountains, Capra Lake, a glacial lake, is situated at an altitude of 2,241 meters. The lake impresses with its blue water and makes a great place for those who love nature and mountains, through its landscape. We climb another peak over 2500 m high, Vanatoarea lui Buteanu (2507 m) which offer us one of the most spectacular panoramic views is the eighth highest peak of Romania and the fifth highest peak from Fagaras Mountains. Lunch to go. After this wonderful hiking day  we descend back to Balea Lake Chalet. Duration: 4-5 hours, low effort, uphill/downhill walk: 500 m. Accommodation at Balea Chalet & dinner.

Day 5: Breakfast. Balea Lake Chalet – Podragu Chalet (2136 m)

Today we hike along the main ridge of Fagaras Mountains from Balea Lake to Podragu Chalet which is situated near the lakes of Podragu Valley. Lunch to go. Durationof hiking tour: 5-6 hours, medium to hard, nice landscape, uphill/downhill walk: 1.100 m/1.000 m. Accommodation at Podragu Chalet in a room with 10-16 beds: cold water shower available. Dinner.

Day 6: Breakfast. Podragu Chalet – Moldoveanu Peak and back to Podragu Chatlet

Just another wonderful day hiking the Carpathians. Starting from Podragu Chatlet, we climb the highest peak of the Romanian Carpathians, Moldoveanu Peak (2545 m) as well as Vistea Mare Peak, the third highest peak of Romania. Best for climbing Moldoveanu Peak are July, August and September, but a spectacular and relativ technical climb is in the winter , in February or March. In the winter weather condition could be extreme with 100-130km/h winds and -20 to -30 degrees Celsius, but it’s nice. In the summer it’s a easy route.Lunch to go. Duration: 6-7 hours, medium effort, uphill/downhill walk: 500 m. Accommodation at Podragu Chalet. Dinner.

Day 7: Breakfast. Podragu Chalet – Podragu Valley – Victoria Town

Lunch to go. Duration: 5-6 hours, downhill walk: 1400 m. From Victoria town located at the foothills of Fagaras Mountains we transfer you to Bucharest (about 350 km). Accommodation in Bucharest. Optional – Bucharest city tours by night. Dinner.

Day 8: Breakfast. Transfer to the Airport in Bucharest

Details about hiking tour:

• Optimal time: July – October;
• Mountain tour requires a good physical shape, with resistance to medium effort but for long duration;
• Note that you should personally carry your baggage from day 5 to day 7;
• Accommodation is done in mountain chalets and boarding houses;
• Licensed mountain guide during the entire hiking tour;
• The route could be change because of the weather conditions;
• Dead line for booking with 28 days before the trip start.

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Here are some ideas of hiking in Romania.
Visit Bulgaria from Bucharest with our 3 day tour.
Try a visit of Bulgaria and Romania in our 11 days tour

Learn more in our article about the best Hiking trails in Fagaras Mountains.