Tiganesti ridge – the best panoramic views in Bucegi Mountains, Romania

Tiganesti ridge – the best panoramic views in Bucegi Mountains, Romania

From Tiganesti ridge (Culmea Tiganesti) you will get some of the best panoramic views over the glacial valleys in Bucegi Mountains, the entire eastern side of Piatra Craiului Massif and the whole Rucar-Bran Pass.

This trail is a 3 hour moderate hike that descends from Omu Peak (2505 m) to Cabana Malaiesti chalet (1720 m).  There are a few steep portions secured with cables where increased attention is required.

Trail description

  • Trail: Varful OmuVarful Scara Saua TiganestiSaua CruciiCabana Malaiesti
  • Starting point: Varful Omu Peak (2505 m)
  • Destination: Cabana Malaiesti (1720 m)
  • Seasonality: closed during winter
  • Duration: 3 h
  • Length: ~7 km
  • Markings: red stype, yellow stripe
  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Equipment: good hiking boots
  • Closest accommodation unit to the start of the trail: Cabana Omu Chalet
  • Closest town to the start of the trail: Busteni (5 h)
  • Map:
Omu - Tiganesti - Malaiesti

Trail markings

Red bar

Red stipe (2h):

  • Omu Peak (2505 m) – Saua Hornurilor saddle (2311 m) ~30 min
  • Saua HornurilorVarful Scara Peak (2422 m) ~30 min
  • Varful ScaraTurnurile TiganestiTiganesti refuge in Saua Tiganesti saddle (2195m) ~1h
Yellow bar

Yellow stripe (1h):

  • Saua Tiganesti saddle – Tiganesti glacial lake ~15 min
  • Tiganesti glacial lakeSaua Crucii saddle (1885 m) ~30 min
  • Saua Crucii saddleCabana Malaiesti chalet (1720 m) ~20 min

Directions and checkpoints

Omu - Tiganesti - Malaiesti

Omu Peak (2505 m) – Saua Hornurilor saddle (2311 m)

30 min, red stripe

From Cabana Omu go to the signpost in front of the weather station and head west following the red stripe markings towards Bran.

Varful Scara
The plateau of Varful Scara in the distance

Saua Hornurilor – Varful Scara Peak (2422 m)

30 min, red stripe

From Cabana Omu you will reach the intersection at Saua Hornurilor (2311 m) in about 30 minutes where you will see a signpost.

The trail marked with blue cross  descends to Malaiesti Chalet via Hornul Mare. This is the only way to get to Omu Peak from Malaiesti during winter.

From Saua Hornurilor saddle continue the ascent on red stripe towards Varful Scara Peak (2422m).

Varful Scara
Varful Scara

Varful Scara Peak (2422 m) – Hornurile Malaiesti – Tiganesti refuge in Saua Tiganesti saddle (2195m)

1h, red stripe

From Varful Scara you will have an impressive view over Valea Gaura (The Valley with the Hole) and Piatra Craiului Massif.

Continue on red stripe towards North. At first, the trail descends abruptly towards Turnurile Malaiesti (Malaiesti Towers). You will need to hold on to the chains and cables embedded in the rocks. Be careful because there may be loose wires that can hurt your hands.

The descent from Varful Scara towards Tiganesti Towers
The descent from Varful Scara towards Tiganesti Towers
Turnurile Tiganesti (Tiganesti Towers)
Turnurile Tiganesti (Tiganesti Towers)

From Tiganesti Towers the trail starts to slowly descend towards Saua Tiganesti (2195 m), where you will find Tiganesti bivouac refuge.

Tiganesti refuge
Tiganesti refuge (2195 m)

Saua Tiganesti saddle (2195m) – Tiganesti glacial lake – Saua Crucii (1885 m)

~45 min, yellow stripe

From Saua Tiganesti start to descent on yellow stripe towards Tiganesti glacial lake and continue on the contour lines towards Saua Crucii (The Saddle of the Cross).

Tiganesti glacial lake
Tiganesti glacial lake in Tiganesti glacial valley

Saua Crucii saddle (1885 m) – Cabana Malaiesti chalet (1720 m)

~20 min, yellow stripe

From Saua Crucii saddle continue on yellow stripe towards Malaiesti Chalet. It will be a steep descend, but it only takes 20 minutes to get to the chalet. In front of you, at the East you will see the wall of Bucsoiu, with Brana Caprelor ledge.

Bucsoiu
The wall of Bucsoiu
The weather station building on Omu Peak
The weather station building on Omu Peak
View near Omu Peak
View near Omu Peak
View near Varful Scara
View near Varful Scara
Descending from Varful Scara peak
Descending from Varful Scara peak
Tiganesti Valley
Tiganesti Valley
Inside the Tiganesti refuge
Inside the Tiganesti refuge