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The Bucegi Natural
Park Romania's Mountain
Wonderland
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In
Counties:
Prahova,
Dâmboviţa,
Braşov, and
Argeş |
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 The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest
Romania SRL, All rights reserved.
Photo:
© REST ROMÂNIA
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The Bucegi mountains, from Gura Diham
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Americans have their Yosemite, and Australians
their Cradle Mountain, both famous parks of iconic national pride.
In Romania, it is the Bucegi Mountains which takes the prize
as the signature park encompassing the best of the great Carpathian
Mountains.
Expectations are met and exceeded in the Bucegi Natural Park, with
8 special protected reserve areas, huge cable cars effortlessly floating
up the massive Bucegi escarpment, and all the bears, wolves and mountain
cats to make you feel like you’re in the Canadian Rockies, except it’s
about 3 times cheaper here!
Ski, Hike, Camp, Fish, Love
Skiers and hikers both can find extended seasons here across a wide
range of difficulties, with numerous ski and hiking cabins dotted throughout
the area.
Anglers will delight in seven main river basins which drain the
huge horseshoe shaped crest, including lake fishing in several locations.
Bushwalkers in particular will enjoy the Romanian fanaticism for well-marked
trails, and the booking system and cheap rates at the well-appointed
hiking cabins – more like chalets than a simple cabin – will make your
Bucegi mountain trekking pleasant and quite affordable.
 The
Karst Factor
Most Americans have heard of the caves at
Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, and Down Under,
the Jenolan Caves
are similarly well-known.
But for Romanians, their entire arc of the Carpathian Mountains
are dotted with caves, making Romania the first country to formalise
the science of speleology (studying caves).
Karst is the term for what happens when water
seeps down into soft limestone, forming a geological wonderland of ravines,
chasms, caves, sinks and underground streams.
The central basin of the Bucegi Mountains, ringed by the horseshoe
of the surrounding massif, is home to some of Europe's most interesting
caves and gorges, most of which are strictly protected in one of
the dozen Natural Reserves (listed below).
If you’re only in the area for a morning and afternoon, perhaps
travelling on over the pass to Braşov, your main aim to get a good feel
for this area is by taking the cable car up from Buşteni or Sinaia.
Sinaia does have the Royal Peleş Domain, with it’s castles and parkland,
so you could combine that with a gondola ride. You can stop on the way
at Cota 1400 for a lunch and look around the Prahova Valley from the
vantage point there.
Some may choose to take a trail back down through the Royal
Fields and down into the Royal Domain and Castle Peleş.
If you continue on up to the top, you’re sure to enjoy the views
with Ant Mountain (Vârful Furnica) and Pining Peak (Vârful cu Dor) on
either side of the Little Lamb Cabin (Cabana Mioriţa).
Buşteni on the other hand, features a longer cable car ride, with
stops at the top for some interesting monument, both natural and man-made,
continuing on down into the central Ialomiţa river valley and the hotel
and monastery there (quite a remote location actually, and very picturesque!).
If you can spend a night in the area, you can enjoy a morning, afternoon
or full day up on the Massif, taking in the top sights and even a few
hours of hiking.
Walking around on the top of the massif, or enjoying a leisurely
walking track down to either the Cave Monastery or Buşteni is positively
inspirational along the crests and down in the splendid meadows. Unless
you are in very good shape, taking the gondolas up to a point, and then
trekking along a trail down to a destination provides a good use of
your limited time, and just as many good photos opportunities.
Once you’re up on the plateau, be it by cable car or trail or car
(several forest roads are passable most of the spring and summer by
standard sized cars), three main trail routes allow level or downhill
access between the telecabina stations and destinations.
Coming up from Sinaia on the Prahova Valley floor and going all
the way to the Little Lamb Hut (Cabana Mioriţa), head north towards
the Burnt Rock Cabin (Cabana Piatra Arsă). From there, you can go right
to the east down the stairstepped trail to Buşteni (easy enough down
the Pine Valley), and to the left, west and down into the main Lake
Bolboci and Ialomiţa river basin, leading to the caves, Cave Monastery
and the hotel, where the cable car can return you back to Buşteni. If
you’re staying in Sinaia, maxi-taxis run regularly 10km to the south
from Buşteni, and if you schedule it right, you can catch one of the
local (Personal) trains.
Enjoying the Bucegi Mountains means that you enjoy the marvellous
convergence of sun, sky, forest and earth which combine so sumptuously
throughout the Carpathian mountains.
If camping by a babbling brook, hiking to a hidden hotel in the
middle of the park, or just sunning yourself while the wide Wallachian
plains unfold before you far below, then Bucegi has what you need.
Wildflowers abound in the spring and summer months, and the winter
snows turn the whole upper plateau into a wondrous winter fantasyland,
with inspiring peaks, fabulous formations dusted in white, and stately
forests brimming with bear, chamois (the black mountain goat), and possibly
a lynx (mountain cat) or two.
And a longer stay means that you can pick and choose the joys of
the Bucegi Massif you wish to see. From the Babele Sfinx to the Bear
Gorge, Mount Omu to Lake Bolboci, the trail network is extensive and
they start out from many different locations all around the park, except
possibly in the Leaota mountains to the far western reaches.
Listed below are some of the top features in the park area, as well
as a list of monuments, which accompanies the map further below.
If you have some information for us about the Bucegi Mountains or
County Prahova, please
Let us know about it now!
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The Mălăieşti Valley in Early Summer
ReserveAreas |
From the Rest Romania Website at
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Bucegi Reserve Areas
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 The Cream of the Crop!
The Romanian approach to protecting and highlighting the wonders of
this extensive massif is to make a series of specially protected reserves
and some protected monuments as well.
These areas are especially reserved and activities of hikers are strictly
limited, so don't pick that flower and do NOT move a rock please!
Some of these areas date from as early as 1932, with others going under
protection in 1943, with a total area of
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The Protected Areas in the Bucegi Natural Park include:
Combining three areas from the Bucşoiu cliffs and chasm reserve, the
Cornpone Horns of the Mălăieşti reserve, to the
Hole Valley (Valea Gaura) reserve, this is the only Natural
Reserve within County Braşov.
The Rezervaţia
Naturală Mixtă Bucegi (Abruptul Bucşoiu, Mălăeşti şi Gaura) lies in
the northern-most part of the mighty Bucegi massif, comprising of
of area.
The Mălăieşti
Cabin was first built a bit lower than it is now, inaugurated in 1898
and moved up to it's present location in the late 1930s. The
Mălăieşti Cabin website has some
nice photos of the cabin.
The
Bucşoiu
Valley is a gorgeous trek, with the Balaur
(like a dragon, see our
Folklore section) of Little Bucşoiu Peak overlooking the scenery,
and
Holey
Valley (Valea Gaura) holds some rather wonderful
views. In sum, these
three protected areas are one of
County Braşov's shining assets, and quite accessible to Braşov, Bran and of course,
Predeal.
Possibly the most well known area in the Bucegi Natural Park, the
Rezervaţia Naturală Abruptul Prahovean is home to the marvellously massive
escarpment which towers over Buşteni and
Sinaia
Just inside
the County Prahova borders in the
far north-west of the county, the Prahovan Escarpment Natural Reserve
features Europe's largest conglomerate
cliff system.
The easiest
ways of course to get a good view of the massive escarpment is on the
huge cable cars which ply the routes up and down from Sinaia and Buşteni.
The other main reserve on the County Prahova
side of the mountainous massif features some improbably looking crags,
a form so typical to this part of the Carpathians.
A bit more accessible than the other crags deeper in the park, the
Bearded Crags offer some excellent photo opportunities.
Known as the Rezervaţia Naturală Colţii lui Barbeş to the locals, this
spiky stone spine indeed looks a bit like a giant stone beard as it
marches off to the distance.
Welcome to the
Bucegi Natural Park!
This sign welcomes you to the natural reserve
areas of the park, with the usual prohibitions and info
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The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest
Romania SRL, All rights reserved.
Photo:
© REST ROMÂNIA
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Natural Monuments
In the Bucegi Natural Park
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 The
Windswept Chasm
(Avenul Vânturis)
 The
Windswept Waterfall
(Cascada Vânturis)
 The
Bearded Teeth
(Coltii lui Barbes)
Big Claia
(Claia Mare)
The
Gate of Caraiman
(Portita Caraimanului)
The
Foamy Rapids
(Ogasul Spumos)
The
White Valley Walls
(Peretele Vaii Albe)
Miller's
Crag
(Coltii Morarului)
Stag
Valley Pavillion
(Ceardacul din Valea Cerbului)
Omu's
Rockpile
(Pietrele de la Omu)
The
Bucşoiu Chasm
(Avenul din Bucşoiu)
The
Little Turkish Mosque
(Mecetul Turcesc)
Cornpone
Horns
(Hornurile Malaiestilor)
The
Tiganeşti Glacial Cirque
(Circul Glaciar Tiganeşti)
The
Hole Valley Arch
(Arcada din Valea Gaura)
 Billygoat
Valley
(Valea Tapului)
Turners
Stop
(Popasul Strunga)
 Hole
Valley Fossil Field
(Punctul Fosilifer de pe Valea Gaura)
Lady
Falls
(Cascada Doamnei)
The
Sphinx
(Sfinxul)
The
Old Women
(Babele)
The
Chasm at the Old Women's Feet
(Avenul din Piciorul Babele)
The
Sandstone Mushroom Plateau
(Platoul cu ciuperci de gresie)
Horoaba's
Gorge
(Cheile Horoabei)
Horoaba's
Slope
(Ponorul din Horoaba)
Bear
Gorge
(Cheile Ursilor)
The
Ialomiţa Cave
(Pestera Ialomitei)
The
Little Turners Stone
(Calcarele de la Strungulita)
 The
Horoaba Spring
(Izbucul din Horoaba)
Seckler's
Tower
(Turnul Seciului)
Coteanu
Spring
(Izbucul Coteanu)
The
Tatar Gorge
(Cheile Tătarului)
Zănoaga
Gorge
(Cheile Zanoagei)
Orza
Gorge
(Cheile Orzei)
Karstic
Slab Plateau
(Platoul Carstic Lespezi)
Jib
River Gorge
(Cheile Brateiului)
The
Jib River Crag
(Coltii Brateiului)
Duck
Creek Gorge
(Cheile Rateiului)
Duck
Creek Cave
(Pestera Ratei)
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The Rezervaţia Naturală Peştera Cocora includes the Bear Gorge and Horoaba Valley
areas in this County Dâmboviţa Natural
Reserve.
This reserve
is made up mainly of the karst systems from the
Batrana
Range to the
Ialomiţa
Cave, including the Bear Gorge, the Chasm
of Caves, Ialomiţa Cave, and the Pustnic Cave
(a natural monument).
This area also
includes the Horoaba
Valley
system, with Iapiez, the
Horoaba
Canyon or Gorge, the Horoaba
Spring, and Seckler's Tower (also a natural monument).
The Ialomiţa
cave is buried deep in the Upper Jurassic limestone in the south east
of the Batrana Mountains,
at
it's a rather large cave, distributed across two main levels.
In total, there
are
of active and fossil galleries. The biggest part of the
reserve is covered by Norway spruce (Picea abies), along with quite
a few clusters of deciduous
larch on the rocky
slopes of the Ialomiţa
River gorge, firs are throughout,
and you'll find junipers in the Horoaba valley, along the Batrana and
Crane ranges.
There are also
isolated groups of the Swiss Pine (a white pine, Pinus cembra) throughout
the reserve.
Glacial tills
abound in the Lesniţa, Horoaba and Suchelniţa valleys and throughout
the Batrana and Crane (Cocora) ranges, and the area preserves karstic
relief in it's entirety.
Gorge-ous Flowers!
The Bear Gorge
area has some pleasingly diverse subalpine flora, and the grassland
of the valleys in the reserve are rife with blossoms after the snow
melts.
Found in the area are tracts of
fescue grasses (Festuca apennina, F. saxatilis), viola, pink and white
valarian, geraniums, and mountain saxifrage.
See the Flora section below
for more info.
The valleys
of the Horoaba massif and valleys carry masses of dianthus, draba and
saxifrage varieties, and fossicker and fossil-hounds alike will delight
in the fossil fields (puncte fosilifere) in the area.
In the southern
part of the Cave gorges, at the base of the limestone walls in the Horoaba
massif, on the banks of the Ialomiţa river appear a few species like
Holcophylloceras mediterraneum, Lissoceras psilodiscus (cephalopods),
and a few big echinoderms such as Rhabdocidaris copeoides and Sphenodus
teeth.
Also the
Horoabei massif are fossils of cephalopods,
lamellibranches (bivalve molluscs) with thin shells, echinoides
and crinoides, and in the immense Bear Cave (long,
wide and
tall) have been found relics of the cave bear, Ursus spelaeus (thusly,
the name of the cave).
The Reserve Babele preserves the relief produced
by the erosion of conglomerate and limestone across a variety of formations,
from the iconic Old Women (Babele), to the mushrooms
(ciupercile) and the haunting Sphinx (sfinxul).
Being on the more bare exposed upper portion of the reserve, the
area is also home to alpine vegetation. Further to the north, Reserve
Omu protects associations of alpine tundra vegetation with endemic plants
of the Carpathians.
One of the most visited Natural Reserves in the central
Lake
Bolboci depression (thanks to a reasonable
forest road), the Tatar Gorge is where the Ialomiţa River
pours into the lake.
The Rezervaţia Naturală Cheile Tătarului features very photogenic
rock walls alongside the river's course, as it pours down from the high
mountains to the north and into the man-made Bolboci Lake.
Cheile Tătarului – mixed natural reserve .
The natural reserve Cheile Tătarului, along the rare elements
that it possesses and the beauty of the landscape it also represents
an interesting geological and paleonthological reserve, which is comprises
Tatar Karsts, Tătarului Mare gorges (natural monument) Bear’s Cave and
Little Cave (out of Tatarul Mare Gorges).
The most beautiful area of
Tatarul Mare Gorges
is at the foot of Lake
Bolboci and it
is about
long, in the spot where Ialomita got wider in the south- eastern part
of Mount Tataru
limestone mass.
Here, on the left side of Tătarului Valley, at
high, we are able to see to see the openings of the two caves – Bear’s
Cave and Little Cave – the highest Romanian
palaeolithic formations which served as a shelter for the humans
in the Wurmien ice melting period. And a good interest point represents
the fossils of Ursus spelaeus found in here.
On the both sides
of the valley, there can be seen white-grey limestones with a very rich
fossil fauna. And on the right wall of Ialomiţa can be observed yellow
and browny–red limestones mixed with alot of fossils.
This majestic valley under the
Horoaba
Peak is protected as
the Rezervaţia Naturală Valea Horoabei, with
subalpine valley floor species.
The reserve
protects flora typical of the upper subalpine floor (Festucetum rubrae
subalpinum) which contains alot of rarities such as Gentiana bulgarica.
The adjoining Cross Meadows section protects similar
topography and flora, again the Gentiana bulgarica, and Gentiana verna.
(R.N. Orzea-Zănoaga, R. N. Zănoaga-Lucăcila)
These twin scientific natural reserves span the Little and Big Zănoaga
Gorges (Zănoagei Mici şi Mari), the beautiful centuries-old spruce fir
forests, clusters of Larix decidua and a few specimens of Pinus cembra,
found of the right side of Ialomiţa.
The Zanoaga reserve includes the Zanoaga mountains and the Big Zanoaga
Gorge.
See the Flora section below
for more info.
Plants enjoying warmer conditions (various thermophillic species)
can be found at the foot of the southern walls of the Zanoaga limestone
mountain. This collosus slap of karstic fun is also named "The
bridge with the flowers” and flowers are also found at the Big Zănoaga
Gorges (Chiele Zănoagei Mare).
Species in these sweet spots include those adapted well to the combined
Mediterranean and Balkan growing conditions, from Iris Dacica, Sorbus
cretica, Carduus candicans (a rare Blakan species in Romania), to Phleum
montanum, Athamantha hungarica, Phleum montanum, Astragalus depressus
(also found on Domogled Mountain), Lonicera caerulea and Streptopus
amplexifolius, rare species in Romania.
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ReserveAreas |
From the Rest Romania Website at
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A MAN-MADE WIER ON THE IALOMIŢA RIVER
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The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (C) 2005 - 2008 Rest
Romania SRL, All rights reserved.
Photo:
© REST ROMÂNIA
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The Rezervaţia Naturală Turbăria Lăptici ("Lăptici" is a little bit
of milk, like a child would ask for) covers the peat bog area surrounding
the Lăptici river, going from the peak of the same name down to Lake Bolboci,
between the Coteanu Gorges and tha Tatar Gorge.
If you like
taxonomy and finding a few rare examples, the highland moors of the
Milkdrop Peat bogs is the place for you! The Lăptici Reserve,
although small and geographically
isolated from the larger areas of Romanian highland moors, protects
a few rare Nordic flower species, some of which are almost genetic relics.
This truly special
extended bog has
a microfauna typical to the highland moors, very diverse and interesting.
Throughout the Bucegi Mountains you can
indeed find masses of sphagnum,
but the Milkdrop Moors is the only one where these elements are found
in a compact mass capable of forming thick peat deposits.
The surface
sphagnum moss itself retains a large quantity of
water which favours the development of a rich and varied microflora.
Among the sphagnum are living a series of superior plants
such as Agrostis rupestris, Alchemilla alpestris, Caltha laeta,
as well as species of Eriophorum and Trifolium pratense genre.
Also in the
peat meadows can be found the more common spruce fir, pines, birches,
the dwarf juniper (called "Mugo pine" in America, sold for suburban
gardens), the wonderful little peat willow, and even a few blueberry
bushes.
The spruce fir
tree and the pine trees growing in the peat meadows are stunted, having
a dwarf aspect (small with dense branches and little leaves).
Also, this magical little reserve protects the peat meadow willow,
a glaciar relic which is actually of Nordic origin, found in Romania
only in this area. It is also the southern-most place in Europe
where it is found -- in fact, only in Korea and Manchuria is it found
in a more southerly range.
Encompassing part of the creek of the same name, the Duck Creek Cave Reserve (Rezervaţia Naturală Peştera
Răteiului) protects this cave, a favourite of spelunkers world-wide.
Duck Creek Cave is a mixed reserve with both geologic, geomorphological,
and spelean (cave) aspects preserved. It includes the karst system
along the Duck Valley, and encompasses the Duck Gorges (a natural monument),
and some rather fabulous twisted gorges with no less than 17 small-sized
caves, as well as the endokarstic system of Duck Cave (another
declared natural monument).
Duck Cave is formed of twisted galleries, on three levels (one active,
two fossilised) with a 800m in length and a leveling of +,
being a huge cave and also the most important endokartical phenomenon
in the Bucegi Massif.
It is one of the few caves in Romania where you
can find formations of
celcite and gypsum together. In several places of the cave you can photograph
some rather fun clumping stalagtites, excentric stalactites, columns,
domes and other formations. The cave is mostly formed out of limestone
from the Upper Jurassic period.
At their foot it is a jasp system which can be studied througohut
the active galleries (Medusa and The Grand Hall). Deep in Duck Cave
has been found a new species of
Parastenocaris (thanks to the work of Doina Zincenco, 1970) and
a few troglophilos (cave-loving)
subspecies.
The Thieves' Fossil Field Reserve (R.N. Plaiul Hoţilor)
is located in the County Dâmboviţa
part of the park.
The Thieves Fossil Field is a natural palaentological reserve. To
the east of the road as you come through the Thieves' Field, the keen
eye will notice the characteristic succession of distinctly cretic conglomerates,
crossing from the Hauterrivian to the Barremian epochs, in a wondrous
single upthrusting fold, which marches on to the end, reverting then
to inverse order, quite a cute little geomorphic trick.
To the west to east
can be observed yellowy-grey lime/marna stones, with remnants of carbonised
flowers on top. Looking further afield, you can easily find some
fossilised fauna, with more than 250 species of cephalopods, brahiopods,
and gasteropods found here, and small-sized fossils from the amonite
period and well preserved plants are easy enough to cleave. Do
get permission before any rummaging amongst the stones please.
The Royal Fields Paleontological Nature Reserve in the Bucegi mountains
was formed out of the Sinaia Layers, a well-contoured region of the
internal Carpaţii Orientali mountains, where almost all the limestone
is fossiliferous, making the place really special due to the rich fauna
they contain.
At the Royal Fossil Fields a bigger limestone massif combines with
quite a few smaller chunks, all distributed across the horizon of conglomerate
in this uppermost part of the Sinaia Layers.
The diversity of fauna of these limestones is very rich with more
than 250 recorded species, the most numerous being bivalve mollusks
(around 80 species) and gastropods (60 known species of gastropod
found so far).
This remarkable place has some excellent crustacean fossils too,
one of the richest beds in the world, containing around 40 species and
subspecies, with new forms for the science to anticipate coming up annually.
Next in frequency are the cephalopods (17 shapes) small sized ones,
then brachypods (15 shapes). The list is still being
compiled with numerous corals, sponges and hydras not studied or inventoried
yet. Many are new to science and many others can only be found in a
few places in Europe, such as in
France, Austria,
Slovakia
and
in Sicily. As an example,
the first sea snowdrops on earth appeared in the fossil records in Sicily
and in the Royal Fossil Fields in the Bucegi Mountains.
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From the Rest Romania Website at
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The sapphire waters
of Lake Bolboci
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Bucegi Trails
The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (C) 2005 - 2008 Rest
Romania SRL, All rights reserved.
Photo:
© REST ROMÂNIA
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Approaching Mount Omu
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The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest
Romania SRL, All rights reserved.
Photo:
© REST ROMÂNIA
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Atop Mount Omu
Hikers rest on the highest Bucegi mountain
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One of the more picturesque and accessible trails in the region,
this one starting at Predeal takes you through forest, meadows and grassy
slopes to the Seckler Meadows Cabin.
Taking around 90 minutes for most, this great little trail leaves
out of Predeal following the
markers, traipsing along the skirt of Fetifoi Peak. Coming out through
the fir and spruce forest, you traverse a few grassy fields and then
climb up a bit to the Three Arms Cabin (Trei Brazi) and from there on
to the Seckler Meadows Cabin (Poiana Secuilor).
It’s a great spot to picnic or stay overnight if you can, and you
can continue on to Postăvaru from there.
If you want to cheat a bit, you can just drive (if you’ve hired
a nice Romanian driver, or are renting your own) down the road to Azuga
and go up the Râşnov valley, or you can walk the same too for a bit
of extra mountain activity.
The goal is the Stag Cabin (Cabana Cerbului). Either way you go,
leave Predeal to the south along the main road towards Azuga, then head
west when the road to Râşnov takes off. Go up just beyond Şipote where,
close to the road, there is a fun little grassy field with the Coldbrook
(Pârâul Rece) Cabin.
From the Cabin, on the road, you can continue on to The Stag (Cerbul)
Cabin, and after
of mostly downhill trekking (if you are so inclined. Or declined in
this case), you’ll end up along the great fortress at Râşnov and down
to Râşnov town.
This is a bit of a cheat, since you can probably really drive and
park somewhere along the Râşnov road, but it will certainly deliver
you to the highest peak in the Bucegi mountains, Mount Omu, at
, after 7 – 8 hours.
Predeal is where the trail takes off, following the main north-south
highway in the Prahova Valley, then veering to the west to follow the
Râşnov Valley (Valea Râşnoavei). From here you can get to the Cabin,
through the Hell Valley on a
trail marker, or continuing on the road between Predeal and Râşnov,
then through Şipote on a
trail marker. From the Diham Cabin, on the road to Mălăieşti or Stag
Valley (Valea Cerbului), you can get to Omu Peak.
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Trails heading from Buşteni
The Red Picket Meadow Loop (6 hours)
Starting out at at
, this loop excursion from Buşteni goes first up to Coştila Meadow (Poiana
Coştilei) at
on the
trail, then across to the Red Picket Meadows (Poiana Pichetul Roşu)
at
.
From there you change to the
trail to the Spring Meadows Cabana (Poiana Izvoarelor), and back down
to the Gura Diham Cabin at 987m. Buşteni is just down the sealed road
from Gura Diham along the river in the Stag Valley (Valea Cerbului).
The trail is accessible after the spring melt-off until the snows set
in during late autumn.
Babele Plateau
The Old Women cable car station, between
the two lines to Buşteni (the cables from the right side) and
Ialomiţa Cave and Pestera hotel (the cables from the left side).
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The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest
Romania SRL, All rights reserved.
Photo:
© REST ROMÂNIA
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A Typical Bucegi Trail Marker
Showing the way to Wailing Falls (Cascadă
Urlătoarea) and the White Pine Forestry Station and Burnt Rock
(Piatra Arsă)
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The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest
Romania SRL, All rights reserved.
Photo:
© REST ROMÂNIA
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The Verdant Expanse
The mountains and valleys seem to march on forever, here
near the main quarry with gorge below.
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The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest
Romania SRL, All rights reserved.
Photo:
© REST ROMÂNIA
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This excellent round-trip from Buşteni does take a full day, but
provides stunning views across a wide variety of Bucegi Terrain, including
the The Mountain Gate, Golden Valley, and the Millers Needles and Miller
Valley.
With an early start in Buşteni, you’ll follow White Valley (Valea
Albă) Street up to the Alpine Housemaster (Căminul Alpin) on the western
side of town. From here the trail climbs an initial incline coming out
into a clearing with an impressive view to the Caraiman and Coştila
mountains unveils.
The trail soon yields to the “The Mountain Gate” (“Poarta Munţilor”),
where the sparse trees perfectly frame the view of the magnificence
ahead.
From here the trail continues with a slight curve to the right and
then climbs to “Bears’ Lookout” (“Măsurătoarea Urşilor”), where the
trail splits off to the left, going to the ski shelter at White Valley
(Valea Albă).
Continuing ahead, our trail levels out, and then veers down towards
the Coştil Meadow (Poiana Coştilei), after first traversing Coştil Valley
and Golden Valley (Valea Coştilei şi Valea Gălbenelelor). Looking over
the forests you can notice Peretele Gălbenelelor, Colţul Gălbenelelor
and Colţii Mălinului.
After crossing Poiana Coştilei, the trail continues on to the intersection
of the trail leading to the Stag Meadow (Poiana Văii Cerbului), and
then turns right towards Buşteni through the Hayfield (Plaiul Fânului),
following the
trail marker. You cross Mălin Valley Valea Mălinului, then Valea Cerbului
and you head to Miller’s Meadow (Poiana Morarului), where you arrive
after crossing the Treasures Valley (Valea Comorilor) and Peonys Valley
(Valea Bujorilor).
Very much at the “pinnacle” of your trail day, you can admire the
imposing Miller’s Needles (Acele Morarului), their spiky spires reaching
for the (hopefully) blue Romanian skies.
After crossing Miller’s Valley across fairly even terrain, you go
down to the crossroads in the Red Picket Meadows. Here, the trailways
spread out like a fan, going either to Mălăeşti Cabin, Bucşoiu Peak,
Diham Cabin or Spring Meadow Cabin.
From here you keep going on the trail marked with a
and after approximately 15 minutes the trail passes the Spring Meadow
Cabin. Then it returns to Buşteni via the Gura Diham Cabin on a wide
and accessible trail, and in about another hour you’re back safe, happy
and hopefully with a camera full of fabulous shots in Bucegi.
Going from Buşteni up first to the Gura Diham Cabin at
, and then on to the Diham Cabin at
, the
trail takes about three hours to traverse up to the Diham Hut, accessible
during the entire year.
Starting in Buşteni, take Nestor Ureche Street, following the asphalted
road that goes through the picturesque Stag Valley (Valea Cerbului).
On clear days, you can see Colţul, Peretele and Umărul Gălbenelelor,
Colţii Morarului on the way.
The forest road climbs at an angle up to Gura Diham Cabin, where
the
trail takes off towards the Spring Meadow cabin, and our trail continues,
running parallel to the Baiul Dry Valley (Valea Seacă a Baiului).
After approximately an hour the trail traverses the Baicul Saddle
(Şaua Baicului) coming to a crossroads, with trails taking off towards
Spring Meadow (Poiana Izvoarelor),
Predeal through the Leuca Valley (Valea Leuca), and the
trail heading off to the Star Cabin (Cabana Steaua).
Following ahead, our
trail meets the road coming from Red Picket (Pichetul Roşu, then descending
and arriving after a few minutes at the Diham Cabin. From the Cabin’s
porch you can admire the beautiful view of the iconic Bucşoiului and
Morarului peaks. On some rather suitable natural courses outside the
Cabin, you can practice skiing as well.
This summertime route begins in Buşteni and continues to the Pine
Forestry Station (Cantonul Jepi, at
) and then over to the Piatra Arsă Cabin, at
along the
route, taking most just over 4 hours.
You will follow the first trail up to the point called “La Grătar”,
where the trail towards Cascada Urlătoare splits the one towards Piatra
Arsă Cabin. From this point onwards, the trail goes to the right, crosses
Valea Seacă a Jepilor and then climbs lightly through the forest, and
in approximately 20 minutes you get to the point called “La Vinclu”.
From here the trail crosses in turn Valea Comorilor and then Vălcelul
Crestei Urlătorilor, then serpentines up across Vălcelului Urlătorii
Mici and gets to a wide platform, where it splits off towards the right
to Brâul Mare al Jepilor.
In front of us rises up the Big Pines Mountain (Jepii Mari). A diagonal
climb follows a trail dug into stone featuring saftey cables, and after
a few curves, you get to the Pine Forestry Station (Cantonul Jepi),
after which, going 20 minutes through the pine forest on an easy trail,
you see the Burnt Rock (Piatra Arsă) Cabin.
This trail going wayyyy up to the Babele Cabin (at
!), was thankfully supplanted by the cable car in 1978, which manages
the route in just 12 minutes up through the stunning Pine Valley.
Sustained by 6 pylons, heading from an altitude of
in Buşteni, up to
up on the Bucegi escarpment, the total length is over
. The cable car goes on an average height of
over one of the most beautiful alpine areas of Romania. In 1982, the
cable car line was extended down into the Ialomiţa river valley to the
caves, monastery and hotel there, adding a length of another
.
The avid hiker on the trail, as well as the tourist in the gondola
can both share views from different angles of Vâlcelul Înspumat, Cascada
Caraiman, Valea Jepilor, south side of Caraiman, Jepii Mici, and finally
the Bucegi plateau where you can find the Caraiman Cabin ()
perched on the edge of the massif. During winter time, near the various
cabins at Old Women (Babele), Caraiman and Burnt Rock (Piatra Arsă),
you can find ski courses for both amateurs and advanced.
Indeed a “trophy trail”, this one wends it’s way up through Stag
Valley and then up to the highest mountain in the Bucegi mountains (and
well within Romania’s top ten at 7th, just
lower than the top peak in the Făgăraş mountains, Moldoveanu).
The
trail takes and average of 5 ˝ - 6 hours, accessible only during summer
time. But from Buşteni, you first pick up the
and
markers along Hoagelor Creek going north-west towards the Gura Diham
Cabin (see Diham Cabin trail above).
Once past the Diham Cabin, the
trail takes off toward Stag Meadow and Omu Peak. The trail goes slightly
to the left through the forest, goes around Gâlma Mare peak and gets
to Coştil Meadow (Poiana Coştilei), and then, after a light climb, on
to Stag Valley Meadow (Poiana Valea Cerbului), then across the Mălin
Valley (Valea Mălinului), and arriving at Stag Valley (Valea Cerbului)
The trail to the clouds then follows the Stag Valley, parallel to
the peak of Miller's Mountain (Vârful Morarului).
After you cross the usually dry valley of the Coştilă river, you
come out on the north side of Coştila Mountain, in Billygoat Valley
Meadow Poiana Văii Ţapului, where you can see on the left the Pripon
Crest (Creasta Priponului) and the jagged edges of the Craggy Peaks
(Colţii Obârşiei) as a great backdrop to your perfect scenery.
From the junction with Billygoat Valley (Valea Ţapului), you can
pass through the Shepherds’ Reckoning (Numărătoarea Oilor), which got
this name because of 2 rocky walls which form a narrow chasm.
To the left is an old shepherds’ camp where the cliff is smudged
with smoke, not surprisingly called Scorched Rock (Piatra Pârlită).
Then past a segment with guide ropes, after a light incline, you enter
a trail that leads us to the Pripon Valley (Valea Priponului).
After this passage you go along the front apron of the Morar Peak,
where you find the Miller’s Big Belt formation (like the kind peasants
wear in the field, “Brana Mare a Morarului”).
From here, on the Costina Slope, following a curved trail that gets
us to another stepped segment of the trail, you get back onto Miller’s
Slope (Morarului), where you can see the main caldera (Căldarea Superioară)
of the Stag Valley quite clearly.
From this point it’s quite an easy trek down to the trails that
coming in from the Cave Cabin (Cabana Peştera Cabin) at
high, and the Old Women (Babele) Cabin up at
.
Shortly you arrive at Omu Cabin, the touring shelter sited at the
highest altitude of the Bucegi Massif, where a weather station was also
built, an almost incongruent touch of civilization on this fairly remote
mountain peak atop the entire Bucegi massif.
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From the Rest Romania Website at
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The Southern End
of the Bucegi Natural Park,
driving from sinaia
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Trails heading from Sinaia
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The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (C) 2005 - 2008 Rest
Romania SRL, All rights reserved.
Photo:
© REST ROMÂNIA
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The Trail of the Two Monasteries
If you’ve already toured through the churches and museum at the
St. Nicholas monastery in Sinaia, you are ready to head to the hills
to find the other hidden gem, nestled in the Ialomiţa river valley and
surrounded by the crown of the Bucegi mountains.
The Cave Hermitage
The Schitul Peştera is comfortably nestled
in the soft rock walls in the valley
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The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest
Romania SRL, All rights reserved.
Photo:
© REST ROMÂNIA
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Winter on the Plateau
Looking down into the Bolboci depression
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The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest
Romania SRL, All rights reserved.
Photo:
© REST ROMÂNIA
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Craggy Crags
These magnificent spires are sure to please the eye and
camera regardless of season!
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The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest
Romania SRL, All rights reserved.
Photo:
© REST ROMÂNIA
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This is a full-day hike (7 – 8 hours), so make your reservations
at the hotel ahead of time at your destination, the Cave Hermitage (Schitul
Peştera) of Ialomiţa. From Sinaia, head for the Malului quarter, and
follow the road that crosses Păduchiosu Mountain, connecting Sinaia
and Puceasa town.
Just before you get to an altitude of
, where the border between County Prahova and County Dâmboviţa is, you
turn right and keep going north towards Bolboci Cabin, Bolboci Lake,
Cheile Tătarului and Padina, until you get to the Cave Hermitage (Schitul
Peştera) and the Ialomiţa Cave (Peştera Ialomicioarei), the end of your
journey into the heart of the Bucegi mountains. The roads along the
way are generally well graded and well-travelled in the summer months.
As the most prominent mountain near Sinaia, the Pining Peak (we
know not for whom the peak pines, “Vârful cu Dor” in Romanian), makes
a suitable long round-trip.
This trail stops off at the Fir Tree Valley (Valea cu Brăzi, around
) on the way, about 4 – 5 hours each direction, although it’s arduous
enough to book in at the Pining Peak Cabin.
The trail markers start from the Sinaia train station with the
,
and
markers together, with the route wending it’s way along a wide road
and little streets with stairs, and along the front of the Furnica Cabin.
Then follow the
marker up along the paved road to the Cota 1400 Hotel, crossing a trail
in it’s way that goes off to the Saint Anne’s Rock (Piatra Sfânta Ana).
Then the
leads up to the Fir Tree Valley (Valea cu Brazi), and you pick up the
trail, which climbs fairly steeply (for about 15 minutes) along a few
switchbacks on the barren slope.
From here you can see a beautiful view of Sinaia and the Gârbova
Mountain behind, with Dog Peak (Piscul Câinelui) on it’s peak.
To the left of the Cabin there is the Glade at the End of the World
(La Sfârşitul Lumii), so named because in ancient times this was considered
one of the toughest climbs. Then the trail continues to climb through
more grassy slopes until you meet the bastion of the stone called The
Fortress (La Cetate). Then, in about 15 minutes, going around the little
“fortress”, the trail comes out at the Pining Peak Cabin (Cabana Vârful
cu Dor), placed in a slope that leads up to the peak itself.
It’s the highest peak in the Bucegi mountains, and just
lower than Romania’s highest, and it is the tradition goal of Romanian
and foreign hikers alike.
Omu nudges up in the surrounding massif at
to touch the sky. This trail is a great add-on to the Pining Peak trail
above.
One you get to the Pining Peak Cabin, you can continue (presumably
the next day) up north past the fortress again to come across the main
north-south trail axis, the
trail.
This leads north to Omu Peak, via Ant Mountain (Furnica), passing
the Fir Tree Valley and the Larch Valley on the way. One you’re up to
Burnt Rock (Piatra Arsă), the
trail gives you the option of returning back down to Sinaia through
the Sheepfold Meadows (Poiana Stânii), or continuing on north to the
Burnt Rock Cabin, then the Old Women (Babele) Cabin after about 30 minutes.
Continuing on, you’re over the Ialomiţa Heads Peak (Obârşia Ialomiţei),
to the highest point of Bucegi Mountains, Omu Peak.
Trails heading from Bran
Bran to the Omu: The Best of Bucegi
This roughly six hour hike is best in the summer months, running
from Bran through the Clinca Meadow (Poiana Clincea), the Gypsy Peak
Saddle (Şaua din Ţigăneşti at
), and then up to Omu Peak at
.
The
trail from Bran takes of from Podul Oprişului (in Valea Poarta) and
the trail continuously climbs up to Scara Peak. From the Clincas Meadow
(Poiana Clincii), the incline becomes more easy as the trail goes by
La Stânci and Turnul Clincii, crosses Valea Urlătoarea Clincii, climbs
the western side of Gypsy (Ţigăneşti) Mountain up to the Gypsy Heights.
It goes around Turnul Ţigăneşti and after it goes through The Stairway
(La Scara), it reaches Scara Peak. Then you have a dip towards Hornul
Mare al Mălăeştilor and then up again finally to Omu Cabin.
Alternate routes up to the highest peak in the Bucegi mountains
involves the
markers going via Ciubota Meadows (Poiana Ciubotei at
) and Scara Peak (), taking about seven
hours.
To catch this one, head out along the main road through Bran leading
to the Rucăr Pass. The Gaura Valley
trail takes off after about
and the trail climbes through the lower and upper Ciubota Meadows (Poiana
Ciubotei and Poiana Ciubotei de Sus) and then out to the Ciubota hamlet
(Cătunul Ciubotei). Continuing climbing it gets to Podul Spintecăturilor
close to Scara Peak, down to Hornul Mare al Mălăeştilor and up to Omu
Cabin.
You can also follow the
trail from Bran going through the Gaura Valley (as above), but it’s
quite a steep climb up to the meadowland between the valleys.
Once up a bit, the trail goes through some small settlements (Cătunul
de Jos, Cătunul Mic and Cătunul de Sus) then another steep grade up
Scara Mountain to the Curmătura Hornurilor, then up to Omu Cabin. Really,
the first walk is just as good, and a bit easier all in all for the
trip.
As you can see from our maps, the Bucegi Massif is dotted with cabins
of various sizes, amenity and expense.
Each cabin has a guide type website, although only in Romanian language
for most. But, you'll enjoy the photos and get a feel for the
kinds of amenities offered!
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PROTECTED BUCEGI PLANTS
Amongst the protected plant species found in the Bucegi mountains
zones and Subcarpathian zones are various pines, gentians, yews, edelweiss,
ranunculas (globe flowers), dianthus (pinks), the Dacian iris and rhododendron
varieties.
The Lady's Rocket
The delightful Hesperis matronalis, subsp.
moniliformi (nopticoasa) is found in pockets in the Horoaba
Valley, and along the Tatar and Ialomiţa Gorges.
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The Golden Draba
The Golden Draba (or Whitlow Grass), the Draba haynaldii,
is found in upper elevations of the Becugi mountains, at the
Old Women (Babele), along the Batrana range, and Mount Omu.
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The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest
Romania SRL, All rights reserved.
Photo:
© REST ROMÂNIA
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You will delight in the Lady Slipper orchids Cypripedium calceolus
(papucul doamnei), which lay seemingly dormant until the snow melts
and then they burst forth with their unexpected colour.
The Transilvanian Cross Flower (Hepatica transsilvanica, or Heroes'
Cross, Crucea Voinicului), is it's own distinct species of ranuncula
growing in both the larch and spruce forests, as well as the sunny margins
of meadowland.
The deciduous larch (zada) found amongst the stands of Norway Spruce
are also protected, along with the peat willow (Salix myrtilloides,
or salcia de turba), and the Swiss or Arollo Pine (Pinus cembra, zambrul).
The Meadows and Hills
The meadowlands in the valleys and grassy fields of the reserve
areas in particular harbour a wide range of flowers and grasses.
Predominant where the sun shines and rivulets of snow runoff criss-cross
the fields you can find the fescue grasses, Viola biflora, Valeriana
montana, Valeriana tripteris, Arabis alpina, Cortusa matthioli, Poa
alpina, Poa nemoralis, Ranunculus repens, Carduus personata, Luzula
albida, Geranium phaeum, Silene vulgaris, Hieracium bifidum, and Hieracium
aurantiacum.
The well know little saxifrage, Saxifraga cuneifolia is well represented,
as is the Polygonum bistorta, Rumex arifolius, Delphinum intermedium,
Atragene alpina, Lilium martagon, Dentaria bulbifera, Spiraea ulmifolia,
Heracleum palmatum, Soldanella montana, Veronica urticifolia, Campanula
abietina, Senecio fuchsii, Caltha laeta, Thymus alpestris, Equisetum
hiemale, Cystopteris fragilis, C. montana, and Cerastium lanatum.
Over Hill and Dale
In more hilly areas and on the plains throughout the reserves, legally
protected species such as narcissus and the Transilvanian Cross flower.
Keep an eye peeled for the Star Narcissus in pastureland around
the surrounding hamlets of Comarnic, Moeiciu de Sus, and in the Bolboci
Lake area.
The Heroes' Cross flower (also Princely Cross, or Crucea voinicului),
and in lower elevations largely in forest fields, the Peregrin Poeny
(Bujorul romanesc, or Peonia peregrina).
In the mountain ranges and peaks, you can find the "candy
carrot" herb Athamanta turbit in the Zanoaga and Lepezi ranges, and
the Ice Pink (Dianthus Glacialis subsp. gelidus) even up on the slopes
of Mount Omu as well as in the Batrana ranges.
The phlox-like Dame's Rocket flowers can be seen along the valleys
and gorges around the Horoaba Valley as well as along the upper reaches
of the Ialomiţa river.
Other species and areas include the little Golden Draba (see inset),
and the arctic Forget-me-not (Eritrichium nanum, in the Lespezi mountains),
Festuca bucegiensis (Vf. Omu, Obarsia, Doamnele), Goat Vetch (Astragalus
australis, ssp. Bucsecsi), the mountain mistletoe (Thesium kernerianum,
around Mount Omu), Trisetum macrotrichum (along the Zanoaga, Bear and
Ialomiţa gorges, and in the Crane Mountains, Munţii Cocoră).
Protected Bucegi Animals
Trout these days is rarely found in Ialomiţa river, mostly
because you should not be looking for it in the first place!
Good mountain trout (păstrăv) used to be
served at the Peştera Hotel and Bolboci Chalet, proudly caught and served
locally. However, the area being a natural reservation, the item
was dutifully removed from the menu, just to make sure nobody could
wonder whether the rules had been bent a little too far.
Grazing the Bucegi Fields
Graziers and cattlemen have happy times in the grassy fields and
dry meadows of the upper Bucegi mountains, thanks to a program which
optimizes grazing capacity within the natural park boundaries, whilst
repecting and protecting the biodiversity of the region with a series
of off-limits protected reserve areas.
This balanced marriage of traditional cultural activities by local
producers with modern environmental practices allows the Bucegi Mountains
to continue the long history of producing some of the finest dairy and
agricultural products.
Bucegi Produce
Controls on the number of animals, modernisation of milk processing
for both the sheep and cow, as well as monitoring and modernising sewerage
systems, roads, facilities and processing points has meant that the
ecological footprint of herdsman in the Bucegi remains at a minimum
whilst the certified cheeses and other dairy products remains highly
prized. Overall, the Bucegi name continues to mean quality in the market,
giving the region a highly sought after reputation, be it as a tourist
destination or for it’s fine produce.
Lynx, Wolves and Bears, O My!
The Bucegi and surrounding mountain systems are home to four large
carnivore species, the Carpathian Brown Bear, the wolf, lynx and the
wild boar.
Wildcats of the forests (Felis silvestris), the Chamois (Black Goat
or Rupicapra rupicapra carpatica), along with the Red Dear (Ceruva elaphus),
and many smaller species round out the palette of mammals in the Bucegi
Natural Park area.
All of the main animal species are protected by law in the park,
and populations have somewhat stabilised since the hunt and shoot days
of the past.
Like a
Lynx? See our Wildlife Section!
From the little red ant (furnica rosie de padure), the mountain
cock (cocoş de munte, tetrao urogalus), the Covux corax (Corb);
Aquila chrysaetos (Acvila de munte); the Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra,
or "Black Goat", Capra neagra); the Romanian Stag (Cervus elaphus, Cerbul);
the european Lynx mountain cat (Linx linx, Ras); and the Carpathian
Brown Bear (Ursus arctos, ursul brun in Romanian).
Of course, most perversely, most of the protected species of animal
in the park are actually in fossil form!
Several companies are very willing to host you through the Bucegi
Mountains and the surrounding reserves to get you the photos you’d really
like to show the folks back home!
Bird watchers can find tailor-made itineraries thoughout the Bucegi,
Leoata, and Piatra Craiului mountains. Birders can hold their
breaths for a rare Wallcreeper, seen by locals from time to time nesting
in the mountain gorges (Bear Gorge, Tatar Gorge). Fans of
floral abundance can also get some itinteraries together from local
guides and tour operators to suit most abilities and proclivities, going
into the mountain areas by 4WD, hiking, horseback, or even by horse
and cart for a bit of fun.
The Carpathian Large Carnivore Project (CLCP) maintains a few partly
tame wolves and tours into the surrounding forests by 4WD offer views
and the chance of a sighting. Most of the Bucegi National park is accessible
by horse too, with day hires starting in the 18E range.
The residents of the outer fringes of nearby Braşov might well laugh
at the idea of people paying to see a bear, when all they have to do
is put out their rubbish at night to attract them. But the national
forestry office, Romsilva, does maintain a bear-watching hide so you
can watch the lumbering creatures in their habitat. You’re far more
likely in fact to come across a great big Carpathian bear than one of
the more elusive mountain lynx.
Hikers in higher elevations (about the
mark usually) can be positively startled by one of the mountain Chamois,
their black coats hiding them nicely on the forest margins and amongst
low scrub.
See more about Hiking in
Romania here
If you’re not quite that adventurous, take a late night or early
morning drive between on the Upper Moieciu (Moieciu de Sus) road, or
going on the Râsnov road through Coldbrook (Pârâul Rece), and you’ll
actually have a fairly good shot of seeing the odd wolf along the way.
Same thing happens at Gura Diham Chalet, the bears come down around
9pm during the summer months, when the area is full of camping tourists,
to ransack the garbage cans.
The Bucegi Mountain Ecology Centre at Moieciu de Sus has further
details of local flora and fauna, as does the Carpathian Large Carnivore
Project.
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Zonele Rezervaţiei Bucegi
Daţi
click pt detalii despre Zonele Rezervaţiilor
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The Prahova Valley and the National Highway
1
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GETTING TO THE MOUNTAINS
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The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (C) 2005 - 2008 Rest
Romania SRL, All rights reserved.
Photo:
© REST ROMÂNIA
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Transportation
Getting to the Bucegi Mountains is rather straightforward as it's
from Bucureşti and is served by National Highway 1.
Both Buşteni and Sinaia have great old train stations and are centrally
located to accommodation in those towns. You can also
access many trails from both Predeal and the Bran area in County Braşov
too, which makes access convenient, and if you're in one of the more
out of the way towns (meaning that you prefer to concentrate on the
park area), it can be cheaper too!
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 Please
see our
County Prahova Lodging Section for a complete list of accommodation
options throughout the county and the Bucegi Mountains region!
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Frankly, we need some more history here. Know Any?
The Secklers (also Szeklers, Secui in Romanian, or Székely in Hungarian)
were considered the finest warriors of medieval Transylvania.
Many were stationed in the Bucegi area to defend against interlopers
to the south.
They were part of the Unio Trium Nationum ("Union of Three
Nations") a coalition of the three Transylvanian Estates, the other
two nations being the (also predominantly Hungarian) nobility and the
Saxon (that is, ethnic German) burghers. These three nations ruled Transylvania,
usually in harmony though sometimes in conflict with one another.
During the Long War, the Secklers formed an alliance with Prince
Michael the Brave of
Wallachia against the army of Andrew Cardinal Báthory, recently
appointed Prince of
Transylvania.
In Bram Stoker's famous Dracula novel, the main character was actually
a Seckler -- and not Romanian as many assume.
Over half a million of Romania's Hungarian-speaking population identify
themselves as Seckler today.
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From the Rest Romania Website at
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Have more info? Please Let us know!
The
Old Women Cabin Trail
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on other websites!
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