Description: Area: 800 km² in a 20,000 hectare national park. The talest peak is Peleaga, 2509 m. This group of Transylvanian mountain peaks includes 60 peaks over 2200 m. Lakes: There are more than 100 glacial lakes, the biggest lake is Bucura (8.86 ha, 19.7 m), the deepest lake is Zanoaga (29 m). The mountains are made of limestone and granite. We will carry our tents and other equipment to discover the Retezat limestone mountain wilderness. The trip's downvel is a bit difficult, but if you are fit and in shape, you can do it.

 

Guides: Héjja Ferenc, Csifó László Loránd

Route:

1 day: Campu lui Neag (840m) -> Buta Gorge Motel -> La Fanate Fields (1100m) ->
-> Buta völgy -> Buta Hostel (1580m)
6h, 13km, elevation of climb: 780m up, 50m down
We start in the morning from Petrosani by bus or train and we go to Campul lui Neag. The trip begins from there. In the beginning we walk on asphalt untill we arrive at Buta Pass Motel. We look at the entrance of the pass then we follow the red cross to the Buta Hostel through the Fanate and La Fete Glades.

2 day: Buta Hostel (1580m) -> Plaiu Mic (1879m) -> Peleaga Rét (1400m) -> -> Lapusnicu water fall -> Bucura Lake (2041m)
5h, 10km, elevation of climb: 760m up, 300m down
Climbing through junipers, we arrive at the Plaiu Mic and after that we descend to near the meeting between Peleaga and Bucura Brook, where the Peleaga Field is. Then we climb up to the Lapusnic water fall, and we will see the Lia Lake (1920 m), and continuing on to the Bucura Lake.

3 day: Bucura Lake (2041m) -> Peleaga Peak (2509m) -> Papusa Peak (2508m) ->
-> Closed Gates -> Papusa Peak (2508m) -> Peleaga Peak (2509m) -> Bucura Lake (2041m)
5h, 9km, elevation of climb: 1175m up, 1175m down
We start from Bucura Lake following the yellow cross, we climb up to the Peleaga Peak. From here, a beautiful sight opens onto Bucura Lake, Papusa Peak, and on Peleaga Peak. We descend Peleaga Peak (2285 m), after that we climb up the Papusa and x Peaks (2378m). Soon we arrive at the Portile Inchisa and then return.

4 day: Bucura Lake (2041m) -> Kapu Lake (2230m) -> Bucura I Peak (2433m) ->
-> Bucura II Peak (2378m) -> Bucura Saddle (2206m) -> Bucura Lake (2041m)
3h, 5km, elevation of climb: 392m up, 392m down
Following the yellow cross, we climb up to the so-called Bucura Door stone group, after that we arrive at Door Lake which is Retezat'a highest "sea eye." From Bucura I Peak, we descend following the red cross walking first on rocks and then a grass path until we arrive at the Bucura Saddle. From here we descend to the camp, following the red cross.

5 day: Bucura Lake (2041m) -> Bucura Saddle (2206m) -> Pietrele Valley ->
-> Pietrele Lake (1990m) -> Encian Hostel (1670m) -> Pietrele Hostel (1480m)
3.5h, 7.5km, elevation of climb: 160m up, 750m down
Following the blue cross, we climb up to the Bucura Saddle, and afterwards, we descend 200 m to the Pietrele Lake walking through small pine trees and by the so-called Bordu Tomii stone wall. We arrive at the Eucian Hostel from where we go on a forest path to the Pietrele Hostel.

6 day: Pietrele Hostel (1480m) -> Stanisoara Valley -> Stanisoara Lake (1990m) ->
-> Retyezát Peak (2482m) -> Lolaia Peak (2270m) -> Pietrele Hostel (1480m)
7h, 15km, elevation of climb: 1002m up, 1002m down
Starting from the Pietrele Hostel, this is the shortest road that takes us to the Retezat Peak. Following the blue cross near the Stanisoara Brook, we arrive at the Retezat Saddle (2251 m), then to the Retezat Peak. After that, we descend from Lolaia Peak, we arrive at the Cimila Hostel.

7 day: Pietrele Hostel (1480m) -> Lolája water fall -> Carnic Hostel (1005m).
2h, 4km, elevation of climb: 0m up, 475m down
Starting from the Petrele Hostel, following the blue cross, we descend on a car road untill the Lolaia Waterfall. From here, we go to the Carnic Hostel from where we continue our trip by car to the Subpiatra Village.

Map Clicking on the "map link", you can look at the Retezat Map, and clicking the button bellow you can download this document in Word format.