Romania: easy hike near Brasov: From Zarnesti to Cabana Curmatura, Piatra Craiului Mountains
The trail towards Cabana Curmatura starts near the town of Zărnesti, near a spring known as Fântâna lui Botorog (Botorog’s Fountain). It is a 2.5 hours hike, suitable for beginners.
Quick info about Botorog’s Fountain to Curmatura Chalet trail
- Starting point: Botorog’s Fountain (820 m)
- Destination: Cabana Curmatura Chalet (1470 m)
- Seasonality: all year
- Duration: 2.5h – 3h
- Length: ~5km
- Markings: yellow bar
- Difficulty: easy
- Equipment: hiking boots
- Closest accommodation unit to the start of the trail: Cabana Gura Raului Chalet
- The closest town to the start of the trail: Zarnesti (4 km)
- Distance from Bucharest: 180 km (3-4 h) by car
- Parking: free parking on the side of the road
Botorog’s Fountain to Curmatura Chalet trail description
Trail: Fantana lui Botorog / Botorog’s Fountain (820m) – Poiana Zanoaga / Zanoaga glade (1300 m) – Cabana Curmatura / Curmatura Chalet (1470 m)
Total duration: ~2.5h
Trail markings
Yellow stripe (2.5 h):
Duration:
From Fântâna lui Botorog (820 m altitude) to Poiana Zănoaga (1300 m altitude): ~1.5 h
From Poiana Zănoaga to Cabana Curmătura (1470 m altitude) ~1 h
Directions and checkpoints
How to get to the start of the trail
The closest town to the start of the trail is Zarnesti. You can reach it by car, bus or train.
From Zarnesti train station head towards Cabana Gura Raului. You can park your car for free in front of Cabana Gura Raului or 1.5 km higher on the side of the road at Botorog’s Fountain (Fantana lui Botorog).
Piatra Craiului Nation Park admission fees
Between the 1st of May to 31st October you have to pay a small tax to enter Piatra Craiului National Park: ~1 EUR per week or 5 EUR for the whole season.
More details on where to buy tickets for visiting Piatra Craiului National Park here.
Start of the trail – Fountain Botorog (820 m)
The trail starts from Botorog’s Fountain (Fantana lui Botorog) which is 4.5 km away from Zarnesti train station. The so-called fountain is actually a spring and the water is good for drinking.
At the left of the fountain, you will notice a signpost. Follow the yellow bar markings towards Curmatura Chalet. From here you should reach Curmatura Chalet in 3h or less.
The path is visible and follows the contour lines through the forest. The trail is suitable for a beginner hiker. There are some slippery portions, so pay increased attention if the ground or rocks are wet or covered in snow.
Poiana Zanoaga – Zanoaga glade (1300 m)
After about 1.5 h you will exit the forest in Zanoaga glade.
There is a sheepfold here during summer, so be aware of the shepherd’s dogs. If they start barking at you, don’t try to run, call the shepherd instead. The dogs are used with hikers and they won’t bite if you stay calm.
After 10 more minutes, you will reach a signpost where the path splits in two. Continue on the yellow bar markings. From here on, the trail gets less steep while we enter the forest again.
The other trail – marked with blue dot – will take you to Piatra Mica Peak.
Mountain rescue Piatra Craiului hut
350 m before reaching Curmatura chalet you will notice the mountain rescue hut, on the left of the trail.
Cabana Curmatura Chalet (1470 m)
Curmatura Chalet is one of the best-kept mountain chalets in Romania and is the starting point of many beautiful trails in the Piatra Craiului Mountains.