This guide describes 27 short treks of 2-6 days and 10 day walks in the mountains of Romania. Although there is a slight focus on Transylvania, most of the main massifs are included, with chapters covering the Mountains of Maramures, the Eastern Carpathians, the mountains around Braşov, the Făgăraş, the region between the Olt and the Jiu, the Retezat, the mountains of Banat and the Apuseni. Also included is an ascent of Moldoveanu, Romania's highest peak at 2544m.
There is a wealth of advice to help you plan your trip and organise the logistics of your walk or trek. Some routes avail of the network of mountain huts; others offer opportunities to camp in attractive wild locations. Overviews and a route summary table make it easy to choose an appropriate excursion. Each route includes clear description and mapping, as well as notes on accommodation and access (some can be accessed by public transport, although others require either pre-arranged pick-up or hitchhiking). There are fascinating insights into Romania's colourful culture and history and appendices containing hut listings, useful contacts and a helpful glossary.
The graded routes are as varied as Romania's diverse landscapes. They take in rolling hills, craggy karst peaks, glacial lakes and Europe's last virgin forests, with other highlights including Transylvanian castles, wooden churches, the Piatra Craiului ridge and the spectacular Sapte Scari (Seven Ladders) and Turda Gorges. Historic towns such as the medieval towns of Brasov and Sibiu and the spa resort of Vatra Dornei offer easy access to the mountains; other routes visit remote villages that have changed little over the centuries, where self-sufficiency is still very much the way of life. All in all, the guide is a perfect companion to discovering the unspoilt beauty of Romania's enchanting mountain regions.
Covers all the main ranges in the southern Carpathians, and the Eastern Carpathians and Bucovina's monasteries:-
The Mountains of Maramureş: The Rodna Mountains, Route 1 Şetref Pass to Rotunda Pass. The Gutâi and Ţibleş Mountains, Route 2 Breb - Creasta Cocoşului - Neteda Pass, Route 3 Groşii Ţibleşului to Arcer, Ţibleş and Bran Peaks. The Munţii Maramureşului, Route 4 Repedea to Prislop Pass.
The Eastern Carpathians: The Land of Dorna, Route 5 The Suhard, Route 6 The Rarău-Giumalău, Route 7 The Călimani. The Ceahlău, Route 8 Izvorul Muntelui to Durău. The Hăşmaş Massif and Lacu Roşu, Route 9 Bălan to Lacu Roşu.
The Mountains around Braşov: The Postăvaru Massif, Route 10 Braşov to Râsnov. The Piatra Mare Massif, Route 11 Şapte Scări Gorge and Piatra Mare Peak from Dâmbu Morii, Route 12 Timişu de Sus to Dâmbu Morii via Tamina Gorge. The Baiului and Grohotiş, Route 13 A north–south traverse of the Baiului, Route 14 Across the Baiului and Grohotiş. The Ciucaş Massif, Route 15 Cheia to Bratocea Pass. The Bucegi Mountains, Route 16 Poiana Braşov to Bran, Route 17 Into the Bucegi from the Prahova Valley. The Piatra Craiului Mountains, Route 18 The northern ridge, Route 19 The southern ridge.
The Făgăraş Mountains: The Iezer-Păpuşa Massif, Route 20 Iezer-Păpuşa circuit, Route 21 From the Iezer-Păpuşa to the Făgăraş. The Făgăraş Chain, Route 22 Traversing the Făgăraş from east to west.
From the Olt to the Jiu: The Cindrel and the Parâng, Route 23 From Păltiniş to Petroşani. The Cozia, Route 24 Cozia circuit. The Buila-Vânturariţa, Route 25 Cheia Village–Buila-Vânturariţa ridge–Băile Olăneşti.
The Retezat Mountains: The Retezat, Route 26 Cârnic to Cabana Gura Zlata via Bucura Lake, Route 27 Poiana Pelegii to Cârnic via Bucura Lake. The Vâlcan Massif, Route 28 From the Vâlcan to the Retezat. The Ţarcu, Godeanu and Retezatul Mic, Route 29 Jigora Saddle to Cabana Buta.
The Banat Mountains: The Domogled-Valea Cernei National Park, Route 30 Domogled Peak circuit from Băile Herculane, Route 31 Poiana cu Peri circuit from Băile Herculane. The Semenic, Route 32 The gorges of the Semenic.
The Apuseni Mountains: The Trascău and Muntele Mare, Route 33 The gorges of the Trascău, Route 34 Poşaga de Jos - Scăriţa Belioara - Runc, Route 35 Runc - Scăriţa Belioara - Lunca Largă - Runc. The Padiş Region, Route 36 Statiunea Vârtop - Cetăţile, Ponorului–Padiş–Pietroasa, Route 37 Gârda de Sus - Scărişoara ice cave - Padiş - Cabana Vărăşoaia - Stâna de Vale.
Includes complete information on getting to grips with Romania. Lots of colour maps and photos.
By Janneke Klop.
Card cover, 17cm x 11.5cm, 410 pages.
Published 2020.
ISBN: 978-1-85284-948-1.