Hiking Tour - 1 day

Difficulty: Class 1
Hiking time: maximum of 4 hours

You’ll leave Bucharest at 8 AM. In about 2 hours 30 minutes, you’ll reach the Carpathian Mountains. You’ll stop in front of the Gura Diham chalet (987m/3238ft), and then you’ll hike towards the chalet of Poiana Izvoarelor (1455m/4774ft). Most of the time, the well-marked trail passes through the forest. But despite that, you’ll still enjoy some great views of the craggy slopes of the mountains. In a little under an hour, you’ll reach the meadow of Poiana Izvoarelor. You’ll take a break while you admire the stunning view of the impressive Carpathians.

Further on, you’ll continue the hike on the mountains' gentle slopes for about 40-50 minutes. You’ll stop for lunch at the Diham Chalet (1320m/4331ft). From here, you’ll start the descent. In no more than 1 hour 30 minutes you’ll be back at Gura Diham, and from here you’ll return to Bucharest by car.

THE 7 STAIRS CANYON

Difficulty: Class 2
Hiking time: maximum 6h30min

You’ll leave Bucharest at 7:30 AM. In about 2 hours and 45 minutes, you’ll reach the Carpathian Mountains. Today you’ll hike on Piatra Mare (Big Stone) Mountain. The hiking tour starts in front of the Dambul Morii (700m/2296ft) chalet and continues gently along a beautiful valley crossed by a small river. In about 50 minutes, you’ll be in front of the impressive Seven Stairs Canyon. Formed by water coursing through the rocks in the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, the canyon is 160m/525ft and 58m/190ft high. It consists of 7 levels, which measure between 3m/9ft and 15m/49ft. Metal staircases, always flanked by waterfalls, were built to ease the climbing. No special gear is necessary, but climbers will need special care during the canyon ascent.

Further on, the hiking tour continues through the forest and will reach Piatra Mare Mountain's high meadows. You’ll take a break for lunch at the Piatra Mare chalet (1630m/5348ft). After that, you’ll go back by car, taking a different route that goes along the ridge before descending into the forest for a short period. Once back at the foot of the mountain, you’ll be transferred back to Bucharest.

THE ROAD TO THE SPHINX

Difficulty: Class 3
Hiking time: maximum 7h30min

You’ll leave Bucharest at 6:30 AM. In about 2 hours 30 minutes, you’ll reach the Carpathian Mountains. Today you’ll hike in the Bucegi Mountains. Considered to be some of the most beautiful mountains in Romania, the Bucegi Mountains never fail to impress every traveler with their sheer and craggy cliffs.

The cable car from Busteni* is one of the most impressive tourist attractions in Europe. Built in 1978 with the help of an Italian company, the 15-minute cable car ride offers stunning views over the high cliffs of the Bucegi Mountains. The cable car, which is the longest in Romania and the third-longest in Europe, takes you to the mountain's top. Once on the alpine plateau (2206m/7237ft), you’ll take a short hike to several rock formations shaped by the wind, rain, and ice into the shape of a group of old ladies and also of a Sphinx. The hiking tour continues for almost an hour toward the Heroes’ Cross (2291m/7516ft). From here, you’ll admire the highest cross in the world built at this altitude, and you’ll enjoy the most beautiful view in all of Romania.

The hiking trail stays on the plateau for the next 2 hours until it reaches Omu Peak (2505m/8218ft), the highest point of the Bucegi Mountains. You’ll take a break and then descend back to Busteni, a hike of about 4 hours. In the evening, you’ll return to Bucharest by car.

*The ticket for the cable car is not included in the tariff (about 20€/person)