> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://hikingbeast.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Romania: 3-day hiking trip in Bucegi and Piatra Craiului Mountains - URL: https://hikingbeast.com/3-day-hiking-trip-in-bucegi-and-piatra-craiului-mountains-from-bucharest/ - Published: 2021-03-13T12:50:33.000Z - Updated: 2021-03-13T12:50:33.000Z - Author: Alex - Tags: Romania, Bucegi, Piatra Craiului Since so many people have asked us about ****hiking recommendations in Romania**, especially hiking near ****Bucharest** and ****Brasov**, we created this guide in which we describe in detail our favorite treks in the ****Bucegi** and ****Piatra Craiului** mountains. If you follow this guide you will hike for 3 days on ****the most spectacular trails** in the ****Bucegi** and ****Piatra Craiului** mountains and reach the best viewpoints. You will reach ****the highest peak in Bucegi** – ****Varful Omu**, ****the highest peak in Piatra Craiului** – ****Varful La Om** (2238 m), and the ****breathtaking ridges** of ****Bucsoiu**, ****Tiganesti** and ****Piatra Craiului**. ****In total, you will hike around 60 kilometers with a total elevation gain of 5000 meters.** #### Quick navigation - [Before you start](https://hikingbeast.com/3-day-hiking-trip-in-bucegi-and-piatra-craiului-mountains-from-bucharest/#before-you-start) - [Day 1: Busteni to Omu Peak and Cabana Malaiesti](https://hikingbeast.com/3-day-hiking-trip-in-bucegi-and-piatra-craiului-mountains-from-bucharest/#day-1) - [Day 2: Cabana Malaiesti to Bran and Magura village](https://hikingbeast.com/3-day-hiking-trip-in-bucegi-and-piatra-craiului-mountains-from-bucharest/#day-2) - [Day 3: Piatra Craiului ridge and Cabana Curmatura](https://hikingbeast.com/3-day-hiking-trip-in-bucegi-and-piatra-craiului-mountains-from-bucharest/#day-3) ## Before you start #### Understand the difficulty of the routes ****In order to do the full trip as described in this article, you need to be fit and have enough hiking experience.** You will have to walk on ****rugged**, ****mountainous terrain** for ****10-12 hours** each day with ****a lot of elevation gain**. - ****Day 1**: ****21 km**, **2240 m** elevation gain, ****1430 m** elevation loss - ****Day 2**: ****21 km**, ****1193 m** elevation gain, ****1868 m** elevation loss - ****Day 3**: ****21 km**, ****1470 m** elevation gain, ****1610 m** elevation loss ****The hike in the Bucegi Mountains is of medium difficulty.** ****The hike on the Piatra Craiului ridge is difficult**. You won’t need any special equipment, but **if you are afraid of heights, hiking on the Piatra Craiului ridge may not be for you**. **For each day we will soon provide some faster and easier alternatives in case of bad weather or if you think the full hike is too hard for you.* #### Trail markings The trails are well marked and in good condition. #### Seasonality These hikes should only be attempted in the summer season (****June to October**) and on good weather. #### Equipment Since the hikes will be strenuous, it’s recommended to start each hike with at least ****3 liters of water** in your backpack. Except for this, you will need: - good hiking shoes - 3 layers of clothing - raincoat, sunscreen - headlamp - a thin sleeping bag (optional, for sleeping at Cabana Malaiesti). #### Accommodation The plan is to spend the first night at ****Cabana Malaiesti** in the Bucegi Mountains, the second in a guest house in ****Magura or Pestera villages** at the foot of Piatra Craiului Mountains and the third one either at ****Cabana Curmatura** in Piatra Craiului Mountains or at a guest house in the town of ****Zarnesti**. #### Transportation This is not a circuit hike, so it’s better to use public transportation. #### Maps Android app: [Zenithmaps](https://www.zenithmaps.com/zenithmobile?ref=hikingbeast.com) iOS app: [Muntii Nostri](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/muntii-nostri/id849703846?l=ro&ls=1&mt=8&ref=hikingbeast.com) Paper and desktop: [muntii-nostri.ro](https://muntii-nostri.ro/?ref=hikingbeast.com) Navigation app: [maps.me](https://maps.me/?ref=hikingbeast.com) #### Weather The weather can change very fast in the mountains. During the months of June and July, there are high chances of thunderstorms forming around noon. Weather forecast for Omu Peak in the Bucegi Mountains: [meteoblue.com](https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/forecast/week/omu%5Fromania%5F671818?ref=hikingbeast.com) Weather forecast for Varful La Om in Piatra Craiului: [meteoblue.com](https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/forecast/week/la-om%5Fromania%5F7874273?ref=hikingbeast.com) ## Day 1 – Bucharest to the Bucegi Mountains ![Bucegi Mountains](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/bucegi-IMG_5147-1024x768.png) Bucegi Mountains #### [ELEVATION PROFILE – DAY 1](https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/busteni-to-malaiesti-36544390?ref=hikingbeast.com) - ****12 hours** of walking, ****21 km**, **2240 m** elevation gain, ****1430 m** elevation loss Arrive in ****Busteni**, hike to the ****Bucegi Plateau**, visit ****Babele**, ****The Sphinx**, the ****Heroes Cross on Caraiman**, ascend to ****Omu Peak** and spend to the ****Malaiesti Chalet**. #### Arrive in Busteni The hike starts from the town of ****Busteni**. The fastest way from Bucharest to Busteni is by train. There are hourly trains that depart from the ****Gara de Nord** train station in Bucharest to Busteni. ****Make sure you take an IR train** (inter-regio) because they are much faster than ****R** (regio) trains. The IR train ride from Bucharest to Busteni takes ****less than 2 hours** and costs around ****10 EUR**. You can find the ****train schedule** [here](https://www.cfrcalatori.ro/en/?ref=hikingbeast.com). If you are traveling from Bucharest enter “****Bucuresti Nord**” for departure and “****Busteni**” for arrival. #### Busteni to Cabana Caraiman via Valea Jepilor – the Jepii Mici trail ![Jepii Mici](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/jepii-mici-1024x768.jpg) Jepii Mici > Blue Cross Busteni – Cabana Caraiman (2025 m) - \~3 hours, 5.5 km, 1281 m D+, 141 m D- From Busteni, you will hike to the **Bucegi plateau** through the ****Valea Jepilor** valley. This is a popular trail known as ****Jepii Mici**. ****The Jepii Mici Trailhead** ****The start of the Jepii Mici trail is 2 km away from the train station, at the end of Strada Telecabinei street.** It is marked with ****blue cross** and it takes around ****3 hours** to complete. It ends at ****Cabana Caraiman** (2025 m). **Cabana Caraiman is not open to the public.* #### Cabana Caraiman to Cabana Babele ![The Sphinx near Cabana Babele](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/the-sphinx-bucegi-1024x768.jpg) The Sphinx near Cabana Babele > Blue Cross Cabana Caraiman (2025 m) – Cabana Babele (2200 m) - \~30 minutes, 1.5 km, 185 m D+, 0 m D- From ****Cabana Caraiman** continue to follow the **blue cross** markings for about ****30 minute**s until you reach **Cabana Babele**. ****Cabana Babele** **should* be open during summer. They serve food and drinks but lately, it seems they do not offer accommodation. Near the chalet, you will find the famous ****rock formations** – ****The Sphinx** and ****Babele** (The Old Women). #### Cabana Babele to Crucea Caraiman ![Crucea Caraiman](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/crucea-caraiman-buecgi-1024x768.jpg) Crucea Caraiman > Red CrossCabana Babele (2200 m) – Crucea Caraiman(2291 m) - \~1.5 hours, 3 km, 198 m D+, 111 m D- From ****Cabana Babele** continue on the ****red cross** markings for around ****1.5 h** until you reach ****Crucea Eroilor de pe Caraiman** (The Heroes’ Cross on the Caraiman Peak). The monument was erected between 1926 and 1928 to commemorate the Romanian heroes of the First World War. It was built at the altitude of ****2291 m** near ****Caraiman Peak**, it has a total height of 36 meters, the cross itself has a height of 28 meters and two arms of 7 meters each. In 2014, ****Crucea Caraiman** entered the Guinness World Records as ****the tallest summit cross in the world located at such an altitude**. The views from the Heroes’ Cross over the town of Busteni and the Baiului Mountains are impressive. #### Crucea Caraiman to Varful Omu Peak – the summit of Bucegi ![View from Omu Peak](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/cabana-omu-view-1024x768.jpg) View from Omu Peak > *Red Cross Crucea Caraiman(2291 m) – Saua Sugarilor saddle (2300 m)* > > *Yellow Stripe Saua Sugarilor saddle (2300 m) – Varful Omu Peak (2505 m)* - \~2.5 hours, 6 km, 413 m D+, 207 m D- From ****Crucea Caraiman** follow the ****red cross** markings towards ****Omu Peak** until you intersect with the ****yellow stripe** markings which will take you to the summit of Bucegi. With the height of ****2505 meters**, ****Varful Omu** is the highest peak in the ****Bucegi Mountains**. #### Cabana Omu ![](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/cabana-omu-1024x768.jpg) ****Cabana Omu** was built on the summit and raises at ****2507 meters**. ****Cabana Omu** is usually open only during weekends and just in the summer season. They serve food and drinks, but if you want to rely on it for refueling, you’d better ****call first and make sure they are open** and have supplies. ****Cabana Omu phone number: +40744567290** If you climb on the top of the rock near Cabana Omu you will reach the altitude of 2514 m. A few meters away from Cabana Omu there is a ****weather station** which is functioning all year round. In case of an emergency, you can ask the personnel for help. #### Omu Peak to Bucsoiu Peak ![](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/omu-to-bucsoiu-1024x768.jpg) > Red Stripe Varful Omu Peak (2505 m) – Varful Bucsoiu Peak (2492 m) - \~40 minutes, 1.4 km, 110 m D+, 154 m D- From **Cabana Omu** follow the ****red stripe** markings to the **Bucsoiu Peak**. You will walk mostly on the ****Bucsoiu ridge** which is narrow and spectacular. #### Bucsoiu Peak ****Bucsoiu Peak** is ****2492 meters** high. From ****Bucsoiu Peak** you’ll have ****panoramic views** over the towns of ****Azuga** and ****Busteni** at the East, ****Malaiesti Valley**, ****Tiganesti ridge** and ****Piatra Craiului Mountains** at the West, ****Piatra Mare** and ****Postavaru Mountains** at the North. #### Bucsoiu Peak to Malaiesti Valley via Brana Caprelor ![](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/brana-caprelor-1-1024x768.jpg) > Red Stripe then Blue Triangle Varful Bucsoiu Peak (2492 m) – Malaiesti Valley (1890 m) - \~1.5 hours, 2.6 km, 113 m D+, 659 m D- From **Bucsoiu Peak** continue on the ****red stripe** markings until you reach the bifurcation towards Brana Caprelor. From there descend to the ****Malaiesti Valley** by following the ****blue triangle** markings. #### Malaiesti Valley to Cabana Malaiesti ![](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/malaiesti-valley-1024x768.jpg) > Blue Stripe Malaiesti Valley (1890 m) – Cabana Malaiesti (1720 m) - \~30 minutes, 1 km, 0 m D+, 209 m D- Once you reach the signpost in the Malaiesti Valley, descend by following the ****blue stripe** markings until you reach ****Cabana Malaiesti** , where you will ****spend the night**. #### Cabana Malaiesti ![](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/cabana-malaiesti-1024x768.jpg) ****Cabana Malaiesti** is located at 1720 meters altitude in a beautiful location, inaccessible by any modern means of transportation. They serve food and drinks and the atmosphere at the hut is great during the weekends. ****The facilities at Cabana Malaiesti are rudimentary, so make sure you know what to expect**: you will be accommodated in a bunk bed with several other people in the room, there is no running water and the latrines are horrible. ## Day 2 – Bran Castle and Magura village ![Hiking from Bran to Magura](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/bran-to-magura-2-1024x768.jpg) Hiking from Bran to Magura #### [ELEVATION PROFILE – DAY 2](https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/cabana-malaiesti-to-magura-36544399?ref=hikingbeast.com) - ****10-12 hours** of walking, ****21 km**, ****1193 m** elevation gain, **1868 m** elevation loss From ****Cabana Malaiesti** descend to ****Bran**, visit the ****Bran Castle** and spend the night at a guest house in ****Magura** or ****Pestera** villages. ****Make sure to ask if they serve food at the guest house you are booking otherwise you should get some supplies from Bran because you won’t find any shop in Magura.** #### Cabana Malaiesti to Tiganesti Ridge ![View from the Tiganesti ridge](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/tiganesti-ridge-1-1024x768.jpg) View from the Tiganesti ridge > Yellow Stripe then Varful Bucsoiu Peak (2492 m) – Malaiesti Valley (1890 m) - \~2 hours, 3 km, 514 m D+, 20 m D- From ****Cabana Malaiesti** ascent to the ****Saua Tiganesti** saddle by following the ****yellow stripe** markings for about 2 hours until you reach ****Refugiul Tiganesti**. The path will be very steep at first, but after about 30 minutes the hike will become less strenuous as the trail starts to follow the contour lines up to the ****Tiganesti refuge**. On your way to the ****Tiganesti Saddle**, where you will find a bivouac refuge, you will pass near the ****Tiganesti lake**. #### Tiganesti Refuge to Bran Castle ![The refuge in Saua Tiganesti](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/tiganesti-refuge-1024x768.jpg) The refuge in Saua Tiganesti > Blue Triangle then Varful Bucsoiu Peak (2492 m) – Malaiesti Valley (1890 m) - 4 hours, 11 km, 20 m D+, 1435 m D- From the ****Tiganesti refuge**, start to descend on the ****red stripe** markings for 7 km until you reach the cable car station in ****Bran** at ****Zanoaga**. From there, continue on the asphalt road for 4 km until you reach the **Bran Castle**. #### ****Visiting the Bran Castle** ![The Bran Castle](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/bran-castle-1024x768.jpg) The Bran Castle ****The last entry to Bran Castle is at 6 pm** during the summer season. You can avoid the queues by purchasing tickets online from their [website](https://bilete.castelulbran.ro/en/?ref=hikingbeast.com). ****It seems they ask you to print the tickets**, so make sure you do this before getting to Bran. #### Bran Castle to Magura Village ![View over Bran](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/bran-to-magura-1024x768.jpg) View over Bran > Red Stripe Bran to Magura Village - 2.5 hours, 7 km, 637 m D+, 396 m D- From the ****Bran Castle** cross the road and find the small bridge with a signpost near it. Head towards ****Fantana lui Botorog** by following the ****red stripe** markings for about 2.5 hours until you reach the ****Magura Village**. Since the plan is to ****spend the night in Magura**, depending on where your accommodation is, you may want to leave the marked trail at ****Varful Magura Mare** and descend towards the village on the unmarked, but clear trails. We recommend using the ****[maps.](https://maps.me/?ref=hikingbeast.com)me** app for navigation. - This part of the trail is described in more detail [here](https://hikingbeast.com/hiking-near-bran-castle/). ## Day 3 – Magura village to Piatra Craiului ridge and Zarnesti ![Piatra Craiului Northern Ridge](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/IMG_3558-1024x768.png) Piatra Craiului Northern Ridge #### [Elevation profile – day 3](https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/magura-piatra-craiului-36544415?ref=hikingbeast.com) - ****10-12 hours** of walking, ****21 km**, ****1470 m** elevation gain, ****1610 m** elevation loss On the third day you will hike on the ****Northern Ridge of Piatra Craiului mountains** and descend towards the town of ****Zarnesti**. Depending on your plans you can spend the night at ****Cabana Curmatura**, at a guest house in the town of ****Zarnesti** or even take the train from Zarnesti to Brasov if you still have time. - You can find the ****schedule** for the ****trains from Zarnesti to Brasov** [here](https://regiocalatori.ro/?ref=hikingbeast.com). ****Important:** You will need to carry ****at least 2 liters of water per person** for this hike. ****We recommend 3 liters**. ****This hike is demanding and** ****there is no water source on the Piatra Craiului ridge**. #### Magura village to Varful la Om – the summit of Piatra Craiului ![View from Varful La Om, Piatra Craiului Ridge](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/lanturi_145137-1024x768.png) View from Varful La Om, Piatra Craiului Ridge > Red Stripe Magura Village (1000 m) – Varful La Om (2238 m) - 3 hours, 9 km, 1242 m D+, 61 m D- From ****Magura village** find the ****red stripe** markings and follow them until you reach ****Varful La Om** at ****2238 meters** altitude. ****Varful la Om** is the highest peak in the ****Piatra Craiului mountains**. On your way will get to ****Saua Joaca** saddle, a place called ****La Table** where you should find a water source (but it’s not reliable), and the ****Grind refuge**. **Near* ***Varful La Om*** *, in* ****Saua Grindului*** *saddle, there is another refuge (but you should walk on the ridge in the opposite direction, towards* ****Varful Ascutit*** *).* #### Varful La Om to Varful Ascutit – the Northern Ridge of Piatra Craiului ![Piatra Craiului Northern Ridge](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/IMG_20170826_152513-1024x768.png) Piatra Craiului Northern Ridge > Red Disc Varful La Om (2238 m)- Varful Ascutit (2150 m) - 3 hours, 3 km, 223 m D+, 315 m D- Enjoy the views from ****Varful La Om** and then continue on the ****Piatra Craiului ridge** towards ****Varful Ascutit** by following the ****red disc** markings towards North. The Piatra Craiului ridge is narrow and rocky and the views are fantastic. ****Note: Walking on the ridge involves some scrambling and it’s not recommended for the ones afraid of heights.** - We have described this part of the trail in more detail [here](https://hikingbeast.com/northern-piatra-craiului-ridge/). #### Varful Ascutit to Cabana Curmatura > Blue triangle Varful Ascutit (2150 m) – Cabana Curmatura (1470 m) - 2 hours, 2.6 km, 0 m D+, 684 m D- From **Varful Ascutit** descent towards ****Cabana Curmatura** via ****Padinile Frumoase**, by following the ****blue triangle** markings for ****2.5 hours**. #### Cabana Curmatura ![Cabana Curamtura, Piatra Craiului Mountains, Romania](https://hikingbeast.com/content/images/2021/03/curmatura-IMG_8712-1024x768.png) Cabana Curamtura, Piatra Craiului Mountains, Romania ****Cabana Curmatura** is a nice chalet located in the mountains, at the altitude of ****1470 meters**. At ****Cabana Curmatura** they serve food and drinks and offer accommodation, however, they are always ****fully booked during the weekends**. Near the chalet there is a ****spring with drinkable water** and a ****shower cabin with ice-cold water** directly from the stream. The ****toilets are located outside** but are in a better condition than the ones at Cabana Malaiesti. #### Cabana Curmatura to Fantana Lui Botorog > Yellow StripeCabana Curmatura (1470 m) – Fantana lui Botorog (850 m) - 2 hours, 4.3 km, 37 m D+, 608 m D- From ****Cabana Curmatura** you can descend to ****Fantana lui Botorog** by following the ****yellow stripe** markings for ****2 hours** until you reach the spring at ****Fantana lui Botorog**. #### FANTANA LUI BOTOROG to Zarnesti train station - 1 hour, 4.5 km, 18 m D+, 171 m D- ****Fantana lui Botorog** is located 2.5 km from the center of ****Zarnesti** and 4.5 km from the ****train station in Zarnesti**. ****Zarnesti** is ****30 km** away from the city of ****Brasov**. The train ride from Zarnesti to Brasov takes around 30 minutes. You can find the ****schedule** for the ****trains from Zarnesti to Brasov** [here](https://regiocalatori.ro/?ref=hikingbeast.com).