Romania is the perfect destination for hiking lovers. Here, you’ll trek unique mountain trails that reveal the beauty of the Carpathian land, named so because two-thirds of its territory is covered by the Carpathian Mountains. Wild, rural, and picturesque Romania patiently awaits for you to wander its paths. What are you waiting for? We invite you to discover 5 breathtaking mountain trails:
1. Bucegi Mountains: Piatra Arsă Cabin – Caraiman – Heroes’ Cross – Omul Peak
The Bucegi Mountains are one of the most popular destinations for hiking enthusiasts. This medium-difficulty trail is best suited for the period between April and October.
This round-trip route takes 9 hours, so plan a full day for the experience. If departing from Bucharest, it’s a three-hour drive to the Piatra Arsă Cabin, the starting point for your mountain expedition.
From the cabin, you’ll pass through a juniper grove, following a yellow marker leading to Babele Cabin. Here, you’ll witness the stunning view over Valea Jepilor and Caraiman Cabin. The trail is well-marked, so no worries there. The Heroes’ Cross, the next landmark, is the only cross in the world situated at such an altitude – 2,291 m! Next up is Omu Cabin (2,507 m), the Sphinx (2,216 m), and Babele. Along the way, you can stop at any of the cabins to recharge and take a break when needed.
2. Făgăraș Mountains: Bâlea Lake – Bâlea Pass – Doamnei Lake – Valea Doamnei – Bâlea Ridge – Bâlea Waterfall
The Făgăraș Mountains are also beloved by hiking enthusiasts, so they had to be on our list. Located in the heart of the country, these mountains hold true natural treasures. It was hard to choose just one trail, given the wide range of options.
If you depart from Bucharest, it’s about a 3.5-hour drive to the starting point of this mountain trail. The route begins at Bâlea Basin (near the Transfăgărășan tunnel) and takes around 3.5 hours. This is a medium-difficulty trail, offering spectacular landscapes and, with some luck, you might spot chamois – mountain gems protected by law. The trail is accessible year-round, although winter hikes are best attempted only when snow isn’t abundant.
3. Piatra Mare Mountains: Bunloc Cabin – Ice Cave – Piatra Mare Cabin
The starting point for this mountain trail is the Bunloc Cabin in Săcele (a 2.5-hour drive from Bucharest). You’ll ascend through Baciului Valley towards the Bunloc slope, passing both the old and new Bunloc cabins. The route continues under Bechia Mountain and Gâtul Chivei until you reach the Ice Cave. As the name suggests, we recommend not spending too much time exploring it. Being located below its opening, the temperature remains very low throughout the year. After visiting the cave, you’ll continue below Piatra Mică Peak until you reach Piatra Mare Cabin, situated in a wide meadow. From here, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view, with Brașov, the city of Săcele, and the Postăvaru Massif on one side; and the Ciucaș and Zăganu mountains on the other. The trail takes around 4.5 hours and is of medium difficulty.
4. Montes Apuseni: Gârda de Sus – Mununa – Scărișoara
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This is an extremely easy trail, accessible year-round. The route takes about an hour and a half and is approximately 5 km long. The starting point is in the center of Gârda de Sus (around 100 km from Cluj-Napoca). Follow the blue stripe marker, which will guide you throughout the hike. After climbing Mununa Hill, you’ll need to descend a bit to reach Scărișoara Cave. Here, you’ll find Romania’s largest underground glacier, an experience you definitely shouldn’t miss!
5. Nerei-Beușnița National Park: Nerei Gorges – Beușnița – Ochiul Beiului
This is a spectacular trail that starts in the Nerei Gorges National Park (143 km from Timișoara). Along this route, you’ll encounter natural wonders like the hypnotic turquoise Ochiul Beiului Lake and the melodious waterfalls Beușnița and La Văioaga. The trail is extremely easy, stretching over 6 km. It’s perfect as a nature walk, a chance to disconnect and relax, surrounded by some of Romania’s most treasured sights. We recommend choosing this route in spring when nature is at its peak, offering a landscape unlike any other season.