Hiking guide

for students around Cluj and Romania

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Generalities

Life in Cluj is exciting and quite busy. When there is no exam phase, than definitely a party with a
hangover the next day. In the end the weekend is gone, and uni starts on monday.

Some of the very nice trips can be done with hangover and do not require a weekend without party.
Other trips are more demanding and sportive. Make sure you choose the correct tour for you physical
fitness.

Regarding the timing of longer trips, look for the free days there are each year within the university
calendar. Combine them with taking a day of “absence” for having a long weekend. Specially the trips to
mountain areas around Romania require some time for logistics.

Transportation

To discover the true beauty of Romania it is necessary to leave the city from time to time. It is possible to
leave the town by small busses or train. However, most of the trips can’t be done with public transport. If
you have a passion for biking there are more tour options (I recommend a MTB), but probably not in a
group with friends.

Lets face it. Romania requires a car!

After 6years of living in Cluj I definitely recommend having a car here. Maybe share a car with some
friends. You can also register it in Romania. Taxes and insurance are very low, but don’t underestimate te
effort of car registration; especially if you import it into Romania.

The car does not need to be something special with 4x4, a normal car will do the job for all tours. You
may not do a lot of kilometers with the car in Romania, but the kilometers you are doing are necessary to
reach the nice spots! They give you the possibility to discover the country and have a good time with
friends outside.

Hiking gear

Depending on the tour and time of the year, hiking gear might be different. However, I made nearly all my
tours in old jogging shoes and normal sportswear. Old running shoes are comfortable, you wont get
blisters easily and they don’t cost anything. I also can recommend trail running shoes. They are perfect
for the surfaces here.

Exception of this rule are the tours in Retezat and Piatra Crailului: The areas have more rocks and proper
shoes might be an advantage. Also, if you go for hikes in the snow and mudd waterproof gear is better.

Otherwise, the hill peaks can be quite windy and its nice to have a jacket or jumper with you even on hot
days. Once the sun sets it can get chilly. Don’t forget sunglasses and a cap.

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Timing

Most students leave Cluj for the summer holidays and winter can be long depending on altitude ranging
from November to March. From the normal semester October, April, Mai and June are the main hiking
month. If you do plan to make trips, keep in mind that you plan trips soon after your return to Cluj and
try to estimate with your exam times in the summer. The period were trips in good condition and high
altitude are possible is very short in the end. For lower altitude the season is longer, but the nice weather
is also in the aforementioned months.

When you start for the trips, leave Cluj early in the morning. This might be hard with a hangover, but get
your shit together (maybe the day before) and start early! ;) To pack and leave the city always takes
longer than expected, traffic is horrible and driving on Romanian roads may easily extend googles
scheduled times. If you start too late its shortening the time you can hike in day light and you may have a
bit pf pressure during your hike. More than once it got dark when we approached the car after a long day
of hiking.

Speaking of timing. The duration of the hikes is just an estimation. Don’t count on them, they are just an
estimation from memories. Fitness level might be different.

Maps

This guide has screenshots of maps and the tours that are described are marked in blue. In general there
are many more tours to discover in the areas pointed out or anywhere else in the country!
The screenshots are from the website muntii-nostri.ro. This website offers the best hikingmaps in RO for
free and indicates trails that are marked in the area. Go to the website and select ”trasee” and choose
the map on the right side to zoom into the area you are interested in.
There is also an app of muntii- nostri which you can download. Having the on the cellphone helps with
gps position on the map. Gps function doses not always function, be sure you are able to understand
maps :)

Beside muntii-nostri, I also used google maps a lot of the times for logistic and an overview of the area.
Both maps are very useful and have each there advantages.

How to use this guide

There are 2 overview maps of all the hikes that are described here in this guide. The first one is for all the
hikes and spots around Cluj and the second one for entire Romania. The tours are described and shown
more precisely at the numbers in the card. I only added 2 tours relatively late, that do not fit into this
pattern.

If you found a tour for you, check out google maps and muntii-nostri for more detailed information. This
is just meant to be an inspiration. The tour suggestions that are marked with a * are my personal

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favorites. However I only displayed nice tours here, no chance to regret a trip (at least not because of the
landscapes;)

Inspiration

Romania offers many nice routs more than described here. Go out and discover yourself. muntii-
nostril.ro is very useful resource for this. Also google maps is very useful.

Tours that I did not do, bc of various reasons are listed now. Only for inspiration:

-Bucegi Mountains

- Via Transsalvanica long distance hike through Tanrsilvania, can be done in parts and also by MTB/
bikepacking (not so much the norther parts) (https://www.viatransilvanica.com/)

- Fagaras Mountain crossing. Is a multiday hike along the ridge of fagaras mountains including the highest
peaks in Romania. Requires good timing with the seasons and good luck with the weather in that area.
(https://www.outdooractive.com/en/route/hiking-route/transylvania/hiking-trail-in-the-beautiful-
fagaras-mountains/11871152/)

- Last but not least, if you have the possibility to get your hands on a campervan, bring it! Romania is a
perfect Van country (also called Vansilvania). Lots of nature and nice places to stay without bothering and
being bothered by other people.

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Contents
Cluj Area- Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Total Romania- Overview............................................................................................................................... 7
1. Padis*......................................................................................................................................................... 8
2. Cascada Valul Miresei .............................................................................................................................. 11
3. Varful Valdeasa – Highest mountain in Apuseni ...................................................................................... 12
4. Belis ......................................................................................................................................................... 14
5. Tanita ....................................................................................................................................................... 15
6. Forest of Manastur .................................................................................................................................. 17
7. Forest of Faget ......................................................................................................................................... 18
8. Rezervat Botanica .................................................................................................................................... 21
9. Cetatea Liteni ........................................................................................................................................... 22
10. Cheile Runcului- Rezervat Craiului Scarita ............................................................................................. 23
11. Cheile Tureni .......................................................................................................................................... 26
12. Cheile Turzi ............................................................................................................................................ 28
13. Cheile Borzesti ....................................................................................................................................... 30
14. Rimetea*................................................................................................................................................ 31
15. Cascada Sipote and Izvoarele ................................................................................................................ 33
16. Valisoara ................................................................................................................................................ 36
17. Valea Manastirii* ................................................................................................................................... 37
18. Cetatea Rădesei ..................................................................................................................................... 39
Hoia Bacia .................................................................................................................................................... 42
19. Moldoveanu .......................................................................................................................................... 43
20. Rodnei Mountains ................................................................................................................................. 47
21. Ceahlau Mountains................................................................................................................................ 50
2. Piatra Crailului* ....................................................................................................................................... 52
23. Varful Negoiu ......................................................................................................................................... 53
24. Retezat Mountains................................................................................................................................. 55
25. Sovata .................................................................................................................................................... 58

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Cluj Area- Overview

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Total Romania- Overview

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1. Padis*

Arrival: Car, Watch out! The road from Cluj directly to Padis is not completed yet! There is missing a
street (tarmac) of about 10km and its not drivable! (except 4x4) Google maps doesn’t tell you that!
You need to drive around Apuseni mountains which is a very long detour but its definitely worth a
weekend trip!

Start: The Salvamont station marked in the card. Is located on a small river and a meadow surrounded by
forest. Beautiful place to pitch a tent or park a camping car. It is for free. You can just enter the meadow.
There are some food trucks and services on that spot. In the sommer it can get busy there and the food
trucks are operated. Don’t depend on it though. This is the best spot for a weekend. A lot of nice routes
close by. Also for mountainbikes! A beautiful area!

Duration: daytrip

Character: The track covers some highlights of the Apuseni mountains. Its quite some meters of
elevation. At Cascada Evantai there is a marked track that enters the cave just where the river leaves the
rocks it goes inside a cave for some hundred meters and you leave the cave at the other side. Pretty
spectacular!

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2. Cascada Valul Miresei

Arrival: Car

Start: Rachitele

Duration: about 4h

Character: The Cascada Valul Miresei is well known and a bit touristic, but beautiful. If you only go to the
waterfall you need to pay for parking, when I remember correctly. The hike from Rachitele to the
waterfall is really beautiful along the mountain ridge with very good views. Way back is the same or along
the tarmac road (rather boring).

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3. Varful Valdeasa – Highest mountain in Apuseni

Arrival: Car

Start: From Rogojel, here we parked along the road (46.793783429864085, 22.83574781129943). No
guarantee for nothing ☺

Duration: about 4h

Character: Valdeasa is the highest mountain in the Apuseni. Its more a big hill than a mountain though. In
the beginning nice hike through a small village and then passing of Cabana Valdeasa. The track is good
marked in general, but when you need to leave the village road to the right and up across a meadow
watch out, the sign is easy to miss. The tour is also very nice in the winter. Its beautiful up there and not
too steep (only one part). Perfect hike in the snow. Hangover approved with sardistic tendeny

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4. Belis

Arrivel: Car at the dam of the somesul cald

Start: from the dam downwards. The path follows the river/ outlet of the dam

Duration: cant remember, daytrip about 6h

Character: specially the first part along the river is very nice. A bit adventures and hard to find the way.
Its close to the river in a small valley. Only recommended for lovers of adventures! There is a stretch on
the main road, be careful with the cars.

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5. Tanita

Arrival: Car, Bike or maybe even with taxi from Cluj

Start: At the dam is a small area where you can park. Might be crowded in the weekends. They opend up
a “campervan” kiosk recently (2023)

Duration: about 3h

Character: nice view on tarnita. Its pritty step at a certain point up as well as down. Big part of the trip is
rather flat along the lake. Hangover approved

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6. Forest of Manastur

Arrival: Easy to reach by bus or from the last tram station. Favourable by MTB.

Start: follow the street out of cluj and turn left at the small garages opposite of the bus parking lodge/
sportspark and make your way up in the forest. Actually, you can go everywhere up into the forest, also
behind the blocks immediately across the tramstation. There are several ways.
Once you reached the ridge of the forest you can walk up to the meadow. You need to cross some
electricity lines at one point (for your orientation)

Duration: about 2h

Character: The endpoint is a nice tree free spot on the ridge of the mountain. Awesome view in the
surrounding forests and mountains. Doesn’t feel like being close to cluj. Hangover approved

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7. Forest of Faget

Arrival: Car, Taxi; Busline (cant remember which one), MTB

Start: From the road at the marked point

Duration: blue track longer hike about 3h, black track: nice area to chill with great view on Cluj and
mountains. Also good to light a fire or barbeque

Character: The blue track start immediately with a longer hike through the forest and uphill. After about
half of the track the ridge is climbed and you leave the forest. A great view opens towards the Apuseni
mountains and Cheile Turzi. Just follow towards the small peak with the tree on top that you see from the
ridge. Has the potential for a favorite spot
In the forest there are a lot of other tracks marked. A lot to discover, especially by MTB.
In the winter there is much more snow than in Cluj and hiking there is very nice.
-The black track is just the way on the plain that offers nice views and a good location for a good hangout.
Hangover approved.

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8. Rezervat Botanica

Arrival: You can walk there or go by bike

Start: Shopping center in Iris reachable by bus

Duration: as long as you want, don’t underestimate the distance if you walk there

Character: it’s a nice place to chill and feels very much out of the city. Hangover approved.

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9. Cetatea Liteni

Arrival: Car or bike to Leteni, about 35 min from Cluj

Start: park the car in Liteni at the beginning of the track is a small parking lot

Duration: about 2h

Character: the ruine of the castle looks nice with forest covered mountains in the background. Easy hike.
Hangover approved.

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10. Cheile Runcului- Rezervat Craiului Scarita

Arrival: Car

Start: Drive through Cheile Runcului, its fresh tarmac there and leave the car at Lunca Laga, a small
village. Alternatively take the road to the left in Runc and approach the area via the blue triangle track.

Duration: blue track, 3-4h.

Character: Originally the plan was to hike in Cheile Runcului, but the hiking track is only running on
tarmac there, as the road has been renovated recently. Change of plans was the destination of Rezervat
Botanica Sesul Craiului-Scarita Belioara. It’s a beautiful area and highly recommended to go there. Due to
time issues we couldn’t make the black track. It involves quite some meters of elevation.

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11. Cheile Tureni

Arrival: Car, Bike, Bus from Cluj is also possible (take a line to Turda and ask to leave)

Start: from the village. Start with the way through the gorge

Duration: 2-3h

Character: the walk through the gorge is officially ranked as via ferata. It’s a bit sportive at some points
but definitely no need for via ferata set and no real danger involved. It’s a very nice small tour specially
the walk along the gorge on the way back is very nice. Hangover approved.

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12. Cheile Turzi

Arrival: Car or Bike. There is a parking on both sides of the gorge. The first is the one reachable from
Turda and with some food trucks etc. The other one is from the backside closer to Cluj but you need to
drive through the small villages.

Start: From the parking. Everything is easy to find and well marked. Might cost 3 lei entrance
(weekends). On the backside entrance less likelihood of getting charged

Duration: Black tour 3h, Blue tour 6h or more (day tour)

Character: Black tour: very nice walk through the gorge and walking back over the mountains. The gorge
is spectacular and the climb pretty step for some time. There is also a via ferata in the gorge. Its short but
highly recommended. One of the few ones in Romania. You need a via ferata set!
The Blue tour is a much longer tour that starts from the gorge but goes to an orthodox church on the
same ridge. The walk to the church winds its way through the forest, the way back is on top of the ridge
with a great view. You might meet Shepards. This one is much longer and requires some endurance.

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13. Cheile Borzesti

Arrival: Car, Bike

Start: Coming from the north; just leave your car somewhere along the gravel track. Coming from the
south there is a parking close to the cabana

Duration: 2-3h

Character: the way through the gorge is pretty wild and fun along a small stream. All the tracks are in the
forest. Very good option for hot days. Compared to the other two gorges its very remote. Would be good
for camping as well.

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14. Rimetea*

Arrival: Car, Bike (if fit)

Start: Central car park in Rimetea at the village fountain

Duration: Blue tour 3-4h, back tour 6h or more (day trip)

Character: Rimetea is one of the most beautiful villages close to Cluj with a stunning mountain
formation in the background. Old Hungarian village and developed as touristic destination allready.
Some restaurants, Hotels and Bike rentals (also ebike). If you want to impress your families. Its also
possible to camp there for free and spend a weekend there. Well known for climbing.
Blue tour: steep uphill at the beginning. Afterwards easy walk nice mountain scenery.
Black tour surrounds the small mountain ridge, mostly in the forest. I if you start going right very
beautiful view on the valley on the way back. Much longer tour than the blue one.

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15. Cascada Sipote and Izvoarele
2 day trip.

Arrival: Car to Izvoarele

Start: from Izoarele, in both directions possible. Blue first, no marked track at the beginning but you will
find your way till you meet the yellow track. Might be easier to take the black one first because you will
find the way easier and coming back on the blue line you are elevated and look down on Izvoarele.
Preferred option if I would do it again.

Duration: 2 days hike. Obviously its also possible to park the car close to cascada sipote and have a
daytrip there.

Character: Beautiful waterfall with very nice camping spot. The track is through very remote regions.
Nothing is there and it’s a mix of wide fields and a bit of forest. Will be very hot during the summer take
something to cover your head.

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16. Valisoara

Arrival: Car

Start: within the gorge to the right there is a castle. There is also a parking space on the road towards it.

Duration: 6h (day trip)

Character: Route with alternating terrain. Good views, specially the southern part of the route when
walking left first. Good marked track. Its far more remote than Rimetea, more adventurous.

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17. Valea Manastirii*

Arrival: Car

Start: Park at the Monastery. Also, possible to drive about 5 km further down the gravel road, but not an
extra parking space there. Parking along the road, also possible. The road is gravel track the last 5km.

Duration: Blue track 6h. Back track: one day hike if very fit otherwise 2 day trip

Character: It’s a great tour! The track going through the gorge is in the river! Put of your shoes and walk
in the water. Multiple crossings and climbings along the rocks. Just fun. Do it in the summer when you
like to have decent water temperatures and water amounts. In early spring there is a lot of water in the
river and its cold.

The way back is going on top of the gorge. Its officially a via ferata, but definitely do able without one.
You need to climb some bits. Still its easy if you are not easily afraid. Watchout that you do both tracks in
daylight!

The Black track is a very long hike if you are fit and combines different routes. Great nature and good
inside into rural Romania country life. After the gorge there is a camping spot very nicely located at the
river. Might cost a few lei. There is also a very basic camping house run by a person living in an old
traditional house next to it. Somehow like a fary tale place.

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18. Cetatea Radesei

Arrival: Car

Start: The tarmac road ends shortly before the destination is reached, but the condition is drivable. It
only gets worse on the way to Padis and is not ridable any more. Take the first to the right after you leave
the tarmac road (46°37'53.0"N 22°48'27.7"E) and continue the gravel road down along the river. After
some kilometers there is a bridge with a barrier leave the car there and start the hike

Duration: long daytrip. Start early. The ride there takes some time as well.

Character: The fist part of the trip is along the river on a gravel road. Once you leave that road it gets wild
and there a quite some meters of elevation to overcome. You will be rewarded with an awesome view
into the mountains and a gorge. What makes this tour very special is Cetatea Radesei. It’s a hugh cave
with a stream running through it. You can follow the stream within the cave and will climb your way to
the other side of the mountain. Take a headlamp with you for more comfort. A bit of adventurer spirit is
needed here.

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Hoia Bacia

Arrival: Car, Taxi, Bike or by foot. You can go with the bus somewhere close to strada Uliului and walk up.

Start: Follow the Strada Ulului right to its end and you reach the place 46°46'04.6"N 23°32'03.7"E. The
street is pretty step.

Duration: how long you wish

Character: Its one of the nicest places to chill in Cluj. It’s a hugh meadow with a great view on Cluj,
specially during the night. You can do barbeque there or go for a walk in Hoia Baciu, the forest starts
immediately there.

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19. Moldoveanu

Arrival: Car

Start: You can drive with the car to Sambata des Sus and leave it there. At some point the tarmac road
ends and it’s a gravel road. At this point you can park the car45.675709, 24.790517

Duration: 2- 3 day hike

Character: Varvul Moldoveanu is Romania’s highest mountain and located in the mountain range of
fagaras. Its an awesome hike and there are different routs to the top. Watch out for the correct seaseon,
before the end of June snow is very likely. Its also possible to do it in the winter, but only with good
experience and proper gear.
We left Cluj in the afternoon and had a 4h ride to Sambata des sus were we spend the night in a tent and
started the hike the next day. Pass the Cabana Valea Sambata and climb your way to the rigde of fagaras
mountains. This is a long climb and has substantial meters of elevation. The night we spend at the refugio
feastra mica, which is a rather nasty place to stay inside, but you can camp there and a water source is
close by. On the next day climb moldoveanu and return to the car or maybe to cabana valea sambata.
Another possibility is to continue to refugio porta vistei on the second day, which is nicer and closer to
moldoveanu. Only, the stretch from refugio feastra mica to moldoveanu is constantly going up and down.
Its very demanding hike on the ridge with a great view into the mountains. Don’t underestimate the
energy it takes for that part, its demanding.

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20. Rodnei Mountains

Arrival: Car, or Bus to Borsa

Start: You can leave your car in Borsa and there are mini buses to Borsa complex touristic

Duration: 3 days relaxed, 2 day if you like it hardcore.

Character: From touristic complex Borsa there is a marked trail to the cascada cailor. Very nice
refreshment on hot days. A local attraction. After the waterfall the track follows up to the ridge of the
rodnei mountains with the Varful Pietrosu being the highst point at the end. For spleeping there are
refugios where you can sleep, but they might be occupied. Better take a tent. And inform about the
water supply on the ridge. I cant remember how that was.

The track along the ridge is really beautiful and in spring the mountains are covered in purple flower
carpets. You might meet shepards and from Pietrosu to Borsa you will find more other hikers (it’s a
popular track) Don’t underestimate that descend!

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21. Ceahlau Mountains

Arrival: Car

Start: At statiunea Durau is a parking and it’s a small outdoor village with somethings to offer. There is a
climbing garden and it’s the entery to the national park Ceahlau

Duration: big daytrip or 2 day hike with sleeping in Cabana Docha

Character: The track was planned as a round circle starting with the blue track. Due to thunderstorm I
didn’t do the black track. However. The track passes two cabanas and the highest permanently used
monastery in Romania. To the top of Varful Toaca is a long stairway with hundreds of stairs. Beautiful
view and good bust for the butt.

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2. Piatra Crailului*

Arrival: Car or Train to Zarnesti

Start: It’s a bit hard to organize the transport to the start of the route in the north. Hitchhiking might be
an option. Or you immediately start walking from railwaystation Zarnesti towards Piatra Crailului via one
of the tracks

Duration: 3 day hike, sleeping in the refugios or in tents

Character: The area is one highlight of hiking in Romania! Starting from the north the track slowly winds
up to the ridge. The track winds a along beautiful meadows and finally enters the forest. Once you have
climbed the ridge the track stays there and is with a fantastic view into the surrounding mountains. Its
remote, rocky and wild. I saw multiple mountain goats and at night there definitely were wild animals
close by. Bring something for bear defence. Few other hikers on the ridge. Some of the tracks require
climbing and courage. Some might like a via ferata set. At the end you pass cabana Curmatura and
descend into a gorge with multiple climbing spots.

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23. Varful Negoiu

Arrival: Car or train. With a train its possible to get a transport service from the next train station to the
start of the trail (about 150lei – telephone number was on the website of Podragu hut).

Start: Park your car anywhere on the gravelroad leading to the trail. There is some kind of a parking place
at the end of the road, but depending on the love to your car you might not want to drive to that point ;)

Duration: Could be done in one day, but I definitely recommend the Cabana Podragu. It’s a very cozy
place and in the winter there is sauna and hot tub.

Character: The track is marked and got to go. The Negoiu is the second highest mountain in Romania. I
did it in the winter time and it was great fun. Take good gear and check the weather. Maybe take GPS
divice with you to find the track when it is hidden below the snow.

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24. Retezat Mountains

Arrival: With the car to carnic and follow the good road as long as its possible. There is a small village at
the end of the road

Start: From the car parking follow the good marked tracks

Duration: very fit one day or 2 day trip

Character: Retezat Mountains are different from other mountain areas in Romania, it is rocky and the
track requires you walk in stony areas. The track is demanding in the upper regions. Take good shoes.
From the Varful Pleaga the track goes down to Lacul Bucura. It’s a very beautiful lake with a small refugio
and multiple places to pitch a tent. Its windy up there, bring a good jacket and enjoy nature up there.
Camping definitely recommended.

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25. Sovata

Arrival: Car or train

Start: The trainstation is clos to the park

Duration: -

Characteristics: Sovata is one of romanias hidden wonders. It’s a number of salty lakes located in a nice
park/ forest area. Its possible to swim in the hot salt lake for about 3 month the year. I think it was in the
summer time during our semester break. Check it before you go there.

The salt concentration in the lakes is about that of the red sea and you will float in the water. There is a
nice tower where you can walk up and enjoy the view around.

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 Enjoy your Time in Cluj and Romania!

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