Description
Book SynopsisThis 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 Brasov, the Fagara?, 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.
Table of ContentsMap key Overview map Author preface Introduction Geography Vegetation and wildlife History Language Culture Climate When to go What to take Getting there Local transport Accommodation Food and drink Health and safety Money Staying in touch National parks Rules and regulations Maps Waymarking Water, food and other supplies Using this guide The Mountains of Maramureş The Rodna Mountains Route 1 Șetref Pass to Rotunda Pass The Gut#xe2;i 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 Durau The Hăşmaş Massif and Lacu Roşu Route 9 Bălan to Lacu Roşu The mountains around Braşov The Postăvaru Massif Route 10 Braşov to R#xe2;snov The Piatra Mare Massif Route 11 D#xe2;mbu Morii-Piatra Mare Peak via Șapte Scări Gorge Route 12 Timişu de Sus-Cabana Piatra Mare 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 Omu Peak 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 The 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 Par#xe2;ng Route 23 From Păltiniş to Stațiunea Par#xe2;ng The Cozia Route 24 The Cozia Circuit The Buila-V#xe2;nturariţa Route 25 Cheia Village-Buila-V#xe2;nturariţa ridge-Băile Olăneşti The Retezat Mountains The Retezat Route 26 C#xe2;rnic to Cabana Gura Zlata via Bucura Lake Route 27 Poiana Pelegii to C#xe2;rnic via Bucura Lake The V#xe2;lcan Massif Route 28 From the V#xe2;lcan to the Retezat The Ţarcu, Godeanu and Retezatul Mic Route 29 Jigora Saddle to Cabana Buta The Mountains of Banat The Domogled-Valea Cernei national park Route 30 Băile Herculane to Domogled Peak and back Route 31 Băile Herculane to St#xe2;nca lui Sisi and back 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 V#xe2;rtop-Cetăţile Ponorului-Padiş-Pietroasa Route 37 G#xe2;rda de Sus-Scărişoara ice cave-Padiş-Cabana Varasoaia-St#xe2;na de Vale Appendix A Route summary table Appendix B Accommodation Appendix C Useful contacts Appendix D Language notes and glossary
