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Bucegi
Natural Park
Steep and wild slopes defend the massive stone fortress of these legendary mountains, sculpted by wind and rain for millennia, but also by the boots of millions of brave explorers. Furrowed by deep valleys and wide paths, the Bucegi are the cradle of mountain tourism in Romania, but also the mystical realm where nature has staged a unique and forever surprising spectacle!
Revered and respected alike, carrying an accessible wilderness that has intrigued and enticed travelers since ancient times, the Bucegi Mountains remain a symbol of people’s unbridled desire to explore. Shrouded in legends and old stories, they have always guarded two of the most important gates of the Carpathians, representing for many the personification of mountains in Romanian folk culture. One of the most popular and appreciated tourist destinations in Romania, the Bucegi Mountains are the best known and most traveled of the Romanian Carpathians, benefiting from the proximity of the resorts of the Prahova Valley and the high density of hiking trails that cross them.
The main ridge of this imposing massif runs between the Ialomița and Prahova valleys, encompassing the Bucegi Plateau, with altitudes between 1,600 and 2,400 meters, but also the impressive steeps from the north and east. In the western part, between the Ialomița valley and the Rucăr-Bran corridor, there is a secondary, lower and gentler peak (the Doamnele, Bătrâna, Tătaru mountains). The most spectacular portion of the Bucegi massif is the eastern steep (between the Vânturiș and Morarului valleys), which dominates the Prahova valley with level differences ranging from 500 to over 1,000 meters. It includes the imposing massifs Furnica, Piatra Arsă, Jepii Mari, Jepii Mici, Caraiman and Coștila. The northern slope is equally impressive, with several steep peaks emerging from Omu peak (Moraru, Bucșoiu, Padina Crucii, Gaura, Tigănești).
The Bucegi Mountains, as well as small portions of the Leaota Mountains and other massifs, have been included in the Bucegi Natural Park. It has an area of approximately 320 square kilometers, of which approximately 60% are forests and 30% alpine meadows. In addition to the varied and spectacular landscapes of the Bucegi, the park also protects other valuable elements, from the extraordinary variety of habitats to the special diversity of vegetation and fauna. Over 3,000 plant species and approximately 3,500 animal species have been identified in this area, many of them rare or endemic.
Among the plants, in Bucegi mountains there are approximately 60 endemic species and subspecies, as well as some glacial relict plants. Particularly picturesque are the species of trees and shrubs that grow mainly on the rocky slopes from the Prahova Valley, including specimens of yew, larch, sambra and secular firs. As for the fauna of the Bucegi mountains, 129 species of birds can be found here, and among the 45 species of mammals, the brown bear, lynx, wolf, fox, Carpathian deer, roe deer, chamois and wild boar stand out. The park includes 14 natural reserves, the most famous being the Prahovean Scarp, the Bucșoiu-Mălăiești-Gaura Scarp, Zănoaga-Lucăcilă, Orzea-Zănoaga, the Urșilor Gorges, the Barbes’ Fangs, the Tatar Gorges or the Lăptici Peatland.
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We can enter the Bucegi kingdom relatively easily from several directions and in various ways, but the fastest is the road known as Transbucegi (DJ 713), which branches off from DN 71 (Sinaia – Târgoviște), which in turn starts from DN 1. It climbs towards the Bucegi Plateau to almost 2,000 meters of altitude, close to the Babele Chalet, from where a multitude of tourist routes facilitate our further exploration. In the Dichiu saddle, another road branches off that descends towards the Ialomița valley, passes by Lake Bolboci and climbs up to the Peștera area. We can also reach the high Bucegi plateau more quickly by cable car or gondola lift from Bușteni or Sinaia.
With all these modern amenities, the most enjoyable and exciting option for exploring the Bucegi Mountains remains the over 50 well-maintained hiking trails, with varying lengths and levels of difficulty. Some of these climb from the surrounding valleys to the high peaks, while others connect the most important attractions located on the ridges and plateaus. Most of the popular trails that allow us to climb to the heights of the Bucegi Mountains start from the resorts in the Prahova Valley, crossing the wild and imposing Prahova Abrupt, where the altitude increases sharply by 500-900 meters in just a few kilometers. Climbing the steep slopes of the protected natural area, we have the chance to admire incredible landscapes, with vertical ridges and cliffs, deep precipices, wild valleys and breathtaking waterfalls.
A rather difficult route starting from Sinaia allows us to reach the Vânturiș Waterfalls, hidden in a precipitous valley near Colții lui Barbeș, a small picturesque massif protected for its dramatic relief and unique biodiversity. When the snow melts and during rainy periods, the main waterfall is impressive, with a height of approximately 50 meters. From Bușteni we can venture on several spectacular, but quite demanding routes, the most famous being Jepii Mari (+1,100 meters) to Piatra Arsă Lodge and Jepii Mici (Jepilor Valley) to Caraiman Lodge (+1,000 meters). From here we can continue to Babele Lodge or to Heroes Cross on Brâna Mare a Caraimanului (exposed route).
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The Cross on Caraiman can also be reached by following an easier route up the ridge from the Babele Chalet, which then continues to Omu Peak. Erected near the Caraiman Peak (2,384 meters), the Cross of the Heroes of the Nation was built between 1926 and 1928, in honor of the tens of thousands of Romanian soldiers who died in the battles in the Prahova Valley during World War I. The impressive monument is 48 meters high and is currently illuminated at night, being visible from the valley below or from the peaks of the surrounding mountains. The view from here is memorable, especially at sunrise or sunset, with the resorts lining the Prahova Valley and the peaks of the Carpathians that seem to go on forever.
Other trails start from Bușteni towards Poiana Coștilei, and then climb to Omu peak in the Cerbului Valley. Exploring the easier trails that surround the resorts in the Prahova Valley, we can reach several splendid places, a fascinating experience being the Royal Trail in Sinaia that leads us to several memorable viewpoints (Franz Josef rocks, Royal Sheepfold). Perhaps the most popular trail in Bușteni allows us to visit the amazing Urlătoarea Waterfall, with a height of 15 meters, upstream there are several other small charming waterfalls. Also from Bușteni, on the Jepii Mici trail we can reach the Valea Spumoasă Waterfall, quite small but located in a delightful setting, while in spring, towards the end of the trail, you can admire the Caraiman Waterfall.
In the north and northeast of the Bucegi massif, exciting trails climb to the highest peaks, and along them we can admire impressive rock formations such as Colții Morarului, Creasta Balaurului, Brâna Coștilei, Valea Cerbului or the Mălăiești and Țigănești glacial valleys. Here we also encounter the highest peaks in these mountains, culminating in the Omu Peak (2,505 meters), the highest in Bucegi and the sixth highest in the Romanian Carpathians. From the Omu Peak area, several secondary ridges start, extremely steep and spectacular, a large area of these being protected in the area known as the Bucșoiu-Mălăiești-Gaura Scarp, where we can admire a multitude of breathtaking wild landscapes, including the most prominent glacial relief in Bucegi.
Several trails that start from Azuga or Predeal along the valleys of streams meet in Pichetu Roșu Glade, near Diham peak, then climb to the Mălăiești saddle and the Mălăiești Chalet, one of the most famous in Bucegi. From this trail, others branch off that climb further to Omu peak through the Bucșoiu massif or through the Mălăiești Horns. The wonderful landscapes change quickly, passing through varied forests, pastures and meadows full of flowers, up to the sharp stone giants, where black goats reign. The panoramas that open from the heights are overwhelming, with the unmistakable silhouette of Piatra Craiului to the west, with the gentle ridges of the Baiului mountains to the east or with the imposing Postăvaru massif to the north.
In the western part of the natural park, several trails depart from Bran and climb to the peaks of Scara and Omu, either by the Țigănești mountain or through the Gaura valley. From the villages of Șimon, Moieciu de Sus or Fundata we can follow several other paths to the western peak of the Bucegi, climbing to the Bătrâna peak or the Strunga refuge and further descending to the Ialomițea valley. The famous rocky cliffs of the Bucegi have determined the creation of numerous rock climbing trails over time, here being the birthplace of this activity in Romania and one of the most famous destinations for this type of tourism. In Bucegi there are over 250 rock climbing trails, most of which are found in the massifs of Coștila (120), Jepii Mici, Morarul and Bucșoiu.
The specific relief of the high area of these mountains is known as the Bucegi Plateau, much more extensive than in other sectors of the Carpathians. Although it also exists in the western ridge (on the mountains Doamnele, Guțanu, Bătrâna, Grohotișu, Tătaru, etc.) the plateau is much more prevalent in the main eastern ridge, on the mountains of Coștila, Caraiman, Baba Mare, Jepii Mici, Jepii Mari, Cocora, Lăptici or Piatra Arsă. The most famous attractions of the high plateau are certainly the unique geological formations, which have received suggestive names. Although there are many other interesting rocks on this plateau, the Bucegi Sphinx stands out for its anthropomorphic appearance, carved by nature into the 12-meter-high rock. There are numerous fascinating legends related to this impressive monument, some attributing supernatural characteristics to it or linking its appearance to extinct civilizations.
Nearby, we also discover the Old Ladies of Bucegi, a group of rocks also formed by water and wind erosion, acquiring over the millennia the specific appearance of giant stone mushrooms. One of the most popular routes of the high plateau connects the Babele chalet, which we reach on the Transbucegi road or by the cable car from Bușteni, to the Omu peak through the Şugărilor and Cerbului saddles. Other paths descend from the plateau to the Ialomița valley in the middle of the massif, along which we discover other enchanting attractions such as the Mecetul Turcesc, the Ialomița Waterfall or the Doamnele Waterfall. Most of them lead us to the Peștera area, where there are several hotels and guesthouses, but also the Ialomița Cave, also known as the Ialomiței Hermitage or Ialomicioarei cave.
Its active and fossil galleries have a total length of 800 meters, of which only 400 meters represent the tourist route, arranged with walkways and metal stairs. We are first greeted by the small church of the old Ialomița monastery, which was founded in the 16th century by voivode Mihnea cel Rău. Along the route, we pass through several halls and galleries of different sizes, the largest being the Hall of Bears, where numerous skeletons of cave bears, extinct more than 10,000 years ago, were discovered. Other attractions inside include the stream that runs through a portion of the cave, forming a superb waterfall, but also the interesting speleological formations.
A little further from the cave, we can also enter the Horoabei Valley, a narrow and wild canyon, with tunnels, waterfalls and a tumultuous stream. Continuing downstream along the Ialomița Valley towards Bolboci Lake, we stop for a few moments at the Lăptici Peat Bog, an oligotrophic swamp with specific vegetation, but also in the Tătar Gorges, another protected natural area that delights us with its dramatic relief and specific vegetation. Set in a charming natural setting, Bolboci Lake is also known as the “Sea of Bucegi”, having a length of approximately 7 kilometers and a maximum depth of 30 meters. A few kilometers south of it, we begin the route through one of the most spectacular places in Bucegi, the Zănoaga Gorges, enchanting in any season, but truly captivating in autumn.
Part of the Zănoaga nature reserve, the spectacular gorges are approximately 1 kilometer long and offer a unique experience, passing through a fascinating limestone relief, with high vertical walls, numerous small waterfalls and abundant vegetation. At the end of the route, we have the chance to admire the Scropoasa Lake, famous for its incredible turquoise shades. At its southern end, the Orzei Gorges begin, of a special beauty and wilderness, but quite difficult to access. Before the lake, we can deviate a few hundred meters to the Seven Springs Waterfall, an amazing place where water gushes from under a huge rock, flowing into the valley through dozens of swirling ribbons among the lush vegetation.
Beyond its incredible beauty, the Bucegi Mountains are a destination of contrasts and extremes, a place that seems to merge the essence of the Carpathians into a fairly small area in the heart of the country. If we look at it for the first time from the Prahova Valley, it certainly seems intimidating and perhaps even unwelcoming, but once we reach the gentle expanses of the heights, our perception can change completely. The massif seems to bring together two diametrically opposed worlds, one intended for adventurers in search of intense challenges and the other open to anyone who wants to know the charm of the mountains. Ending the journey among and over the wonderful ridges of the Bucegi Mountains, we continue north, crossing into Transylvania and stopping in the old fortress of Brașov, the city between the mountains, which welcomes us with its charming atmosphere and grandiose monuments…
Sights and Experiences
Places to See and Things to Do in Bucegi Natural Park
Bucegi Plateau
The specific relief of the high area of these mountains is known as the Bucegi Plateau, much more extensive than in other sectors of the Carpathians. Although it also exists in the western ridge (on the mountains Doamnele, Guțanu, Bătrâna, Grohotișu, Tătaru, etc.) the plateau is much more prevalent in the main eastern ridge, on the mountains of Coștila, Caraiman, Baba Mare, Jepii Mici, Jepii Mari, Cocora, Lăptici or Piatra Arsă. Specific to this area are the phenomena of differentiated erosion of the rocks, which resulted in a multitude of isolated rocks with interesting shapes. The Bucegi Plateau can be reached on hiking trails or with cable cars from Sinaia and Bușteni, but there is also a road known as Transbucegi, which allows access to the Cocora Pass, approximately an hour from the Babele Chalet.
The Sphinx ad the Old Ladies
Probably the most famous attractions of the Bucegi plateau and the symbol of these mountains, the geological formations with strange shapes have appeared over the millennia through the erosion of water, wind and temperature. Although there are many other interesting rocks on this plateau, the Bucegi Sphinx stands out for its anthropomorphic appearance, carved by nature into the 12-meter-high rock. There are numerous fascinating legends related to this impressive monument, some attributing supernatural characteristics to it or linking its appearance to extinct civilizations. A short distance away, the Old Ladies of Bucegi are a group of rocks resembling giant stone mushrooms, which are themselves surrounded by legends.
The Prahova Abrupt (Steep)
The most impressive and spectacular part of the Bucegi massif is the steep slope that dominates the Prahova Valley with differences in level between 500 and over 1000 meters. The area lies between Sinaia (Vânturiș Valley) and the Morarului Valley, beyond Bușteni, and includes the imposing Piatra Arsă, Jepii Mari, Jepii Mici, Caraiman, Coștila and Moraru massifs. This area is included in a protected natural area with an area of almost 3500 hectares and amazing landforms, steep cliffs and ridges, short and precipitous valleys, but also a specific biodiversity. There are several challenging trails that dare to climb the sometimes almost vertical slopes, offering numerous incredible views along the route.
Northern Abrupt (Steep)
From the area of Omu peak, the highest of the Bucegi, several secondary ridges start, extremely steep and spectacular. To the east, the Morarul Ridge emerges, with a series of sharp rocks known as the Acele Morarului, to which there are climbing routes. To the north and northeast, the crenellated ridges of Bucșoiu rise, descending from the Bucșoiu peak (2492 meters). To the west, a longer ridge begins, culminating in the Scara Peak (2422 meters) and from which other secondary ridges start northward, separated by impressive valleys. Between Bucșoiu and Padina Crucii is the Mălăiești Valley, where you can descend through the Mălăiești Horns to the chalet located a little lower. To the west of the Padina Crucii peak is the Țigănești Valley, with its specific glacial cirques, small lake, and many interesting rocks. South of this peak runs the impressive Gaura Valley, closed to the south by Doamnele ridge, which also starts from the Omu peak. The Bucegi paleontological and botanical natural reserve (Bucșoiu Slope, Mălăiești, Gaura) occupies a large area of these mountains and impresses with its spectacular landscape, rocky slopes, alpine pastures and forests.
Bucegi Hiking Trails
There are many (over 50) hiking trails in the Bucegi Mountains, with different lengths and difficulty levels, most of which are well marked and maintained. Some of these climb from the surrounding valleys to the high peaks, while others connect the most important attractions located on the ridges and on the Bucegi plateau. Starting from the resorts in the Prahova Valley, the most interesting, but also more difficult trails are those starting from Bușteni, namely Jepii Mari (blue triangle, +1100 meters) to the Piatra Arsă Chalet and Jepii Mici (Jepilor Valley) to the Caraiman Chalet (blue cross, +1000 meters), from where you can continue to the Babele Chalet (easy trail) or to the Heroes Cross on the Brâna Mare a Caraimanului (difficult and exposed trail).
The Cross on Caraiman can also be reached on an easier route from the Babele Hut, and then you can continue on the ridge to the Şugarilor Saddle (red cross) and further to the Omu Peak (yellow band). Other routes start from Bușteni to the Coștilei Glade, and then climb to the Omu Peak on the Cerbul Valley (yellow band). Several routes that start from Azuga or Predeal on the valleys of some streams meet in the Pichetu Roșu Glade, near the Diham Peak, then climb to the Mălăiești Saddle and the Mălăiești Hut (red triangle), one of the most famous in Bucegi. Others branch off from this route that climb further to the Omu Peak through the Bucșoiu Peak (red band) or through the Mălăiești Horns (blue band).
In the western part of the natural park, several routes depart from Bran that climb to the Scara Peak and the Omu, either by Mount Țigănești (red band) or through the Gaura valley (red cross). From the villages of Șimon, Moieciu de Sus or Fundata, several other trails start towards the western peak of the Bucegi, climbing to the peak of Bătrâna or the Strunga refuge and further descending to the Ialomițea valley. There are other trails along the valley, among the most famous being the one through the Zănoagei Gorges or those that climb to the Omu peak (blue band) or to the Babele Hut (blue cross). In addition to these more famous hiking trails, there are many other connecting ones.
Caraiman Heroes Cross
Erected near the Caraiman peak (2384 meters), on the imposing massif of the same name, the Cross of the Heroes of the Nation was built between 1926 and 1928, in honor of the tens of thousands of Romanian soldiers who died in the battles of the Prahova Valley in World War I. The impressive monument is 48 meters high and currently also has night lighting, being visible from the valley below or from the peaks of the surrounding mountains.
Ialomița Cave
Visiting Hours: Monday-Sunday – 9.00-17.30 (summer) / 9-16 (winter) | Tickets: 30 lei (6€)/adult
Located on the upper course of the Ialomița Valley, the cave developed in the southeastern part of the Bătrâna Mountain, at an altitude of approximately 1500 meters. Also known as the Ialomița Hermitage Cave or the Ialomicioarei Cave, it has a total of 800 meters of active and fossil galleries, of which only 400 meters represent the tourist route, equipped with walkways and metal stairs. Along it, visitors pass through several halls and galleries of different sizes, the largest being the Bear Hall, where numerous skeletons of cave bears, extinct more than 10,000 years ago, were discovered. The unique element of the cave is the small church of the old monastery of Ialomița, founded at the beginning of the 16th century by the voivode Mihnea cel Rău. Built right under the entrance portal of the cave, the current church of the Ialomița hermitage was built recently, having been destroyed several times over time.
Zănoaga Gorges
One of the most impressive places in Bucegi and part of a nature reserve, the Zănoaga Gorges are approximately 1 kilometer long, spread over two sectors. They present a spectacular karst relief, with vertical walls over 200 meters high, solitary rocks, small waterfalls, but also abundant specific vegetation. A tourist route passes through the gorge, starting at the Zănoaga Camping to the south, at the end of which is the charming Scropoasa Lake, known for its splendid color. Near the lake, travelers can also admire the 7 Springs Waterfall, and on its southern side is the Orzei Gorges, but it cannot be entered from this direction.
Bucegi Waterfalls
Among the amazing attractions of the Bucegi Mountains, there are several spectacular waterfalls, most of which are located along popular hiking trails, while others are hidden in the wilderness of the massif. The most famous of these is the Urlătoare Waterfall, located near the town of Bușteni, at the end of an accessible trail that takes about an hour and a half. In addition to the main waterfall, with a height of 15 meters, there are several small charming waterfalls upstream. Also from Bușteni, on the Jepii Mici trail you can reach the Valea Spumoasă Waterfall, quite small but located in a delightful setting, while in spring, towards the end of the trail you can admire the Caraiman Waterfall.
The Vânturiș Waterfalls are more difficult to reach from Sinaia or the Transbucegi, located in a precipitous valley south of Vârful cu Dor Peak and near the Colții lui Barbeș, a protected natural area. When the snow melts and during rainy periods, the main waterfall is impressive, with a height of about 50 meters. Another waterfall very popular with tourists is located near Lake Scropoasa, in the southern part of the natural park. The water emerges from under a huge rock, flowing into the valley through dozens of swirling ribbons and among the lush vegetation, forming the Seven Springs Waterfall. Following the Ialomița Valley upstream to its springs below Omu Peak, travelers can also admire the Obârșia Ialomița Waterfall, a succession of small waterfalls formed at an altitude of over 2000 meters. On a secondary valley nearby is the Doamnele Waterfall, a rather frail waterfall, but located in a picturesque setting.
Bucegi Natural Park
It includes both the Bucegi Mountains with their entire surface, as well as small areas of the Leaota Mountains and other smaller massifs. It has an area of approximately 320 square kilometers, of which approximately 60% are forests and 30% alpine meadows. It was created in 2003 to protect spectacular landscapes, with unique landforms, but also very rich biodiversity. The park includes a number of 14 natural reserves, the best known being the Prahovean Scarp, the Bucșoiu-Mălăiești-Gaura Scarp, Zănoaga-Lucăcilă, Orzea-Zănoaga, Cheile Urșilor, Colții lui Barbeș, Cheile Tătarului and Turbăria Lăptici. In addition to these, there are numerous other spectacular natural attractions, including the Sphinx, Babele, Omu Peak, Lespezi Plateau, Colții Morarului, Țigănești Towers, Cerdac in Valea Cerbului, Mecetul Turcesc, Mălăieștilor Horns, Țigănești Glacier, Franz Josef Rocks, Urlătoarea Waterfall, Doamnei Waterfall, Obârșia Ialomiței Waterfalls and many others.
Access to the Bucegi Natural Park is mainly along several roads, the most important being called DN1 which follows the Prahova Valley, between Bucharest and Brașov. DN 71 branches off from this, which connects Sinaia to Târgoviște and passes through the southern part of the natural park. In turn, from DN 71, DJ 713 (also known as Transbucegi) branches off, which climbs the Bucegi Plateau to Cocora Saddle, at almost 2,000 meters. Another county road descends into the Ialomița valley, passes by Bolboci Lake and climbs up to the Peștera area, while other forest roads can be used on certain sections. The alpine area can also be reached by cable car (cable car and gondola) from Sinaia and Bușteni or along hiking trails that climb from the surrounding valleys.
Bucegi Biodiversity
The Bucegi Mountains are included both in the natural park of the same name, but also within a Natura 2000 site, being recognized for their extremely rich and complex biodiversity. Over 3,000 plant species and approximately 3,500 animal species have been identified in this area, many of them rare or endemic. The natural park preserves several types of mountain, subalpine and alpine ecosystems, with deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests, meadows, scrub, rocks, rivers and lakes. Among the plants, in Bucegi there are approximately 60 endemic species and subspecies, as well as glacial relict plant species. Among the rare plant species, the cornflower, lady’s slipper, mountain peony, giant’s blood, white ivy, silverweed, angelica, gentian and others stand out. Particularly picturesque are the species of trees and shrubs that grow on the rocky slopes from the Prahova Valley, especially, including specimens of yew, larch, samara and secular firs. As for the fauna of the Bucegi Mountains, 129 species of birds can be found here, including the capercaillie, the tawny owl, the golden eagle, the common buzzard and others, and among the 45 species of mammals, the brown bear, the lynx, the wolf, the fox, the Carpathian deer, the roe deer, the chamois or the wild boar stand out.
Cabins and Camping
In the Bucegi Mountains area there are several cabins that offer accommodation to hikers, some of them operating all year round. The best known are Omu Cabin (the highest altitude in Romania), Babele Cabin, Mălăiești Cabin, Diham Cabin, Caraiman Cabin, Furnica Cabin, Piatra Arsă Cabin, Vârful cu Dor Cabin or Zănoaga Complex. In addition to these, there are also a number of tourist refuges, usually located on longer routes or in more isolated places. In the Bucegi Mountains, camping with a tent is not recommended due to the fairly large number of bears, but the most suitable places if necessary are around the tourist cabins.
Other Interesting Discoveries
Lesser known places and activities in Bucegi Natural Park
Bușteni-Babele Cable Car
The longest cable car route in Europe is located in Bușteni, connecting the city to the Bucegi plateau, over a length of 4,350 meters and an altitude difference of over 1,200 meters. The journey over the dizzying precipices of the Jepilor Valley takes about 12 minutes, being the shortest way to reach the heights of the Bucegi mountains, from the Babele chalet several hiking trails depart, but also another cable car section that descends to the Ialomița valley.
Schedule: Monday-Sunday – 8:30-15 (closed Tuesday) | Tickets: 200 lei (40€)/adult (round trip)
Rock Climbing in Bucegi
The famous rocky cliffs of Bucegi have led to the creation of numerous mountain climbing routes over time, being the birthplace of this activity in Romania and one of the most famous destinations for this type of tourism. There are over 250 climbing routes here, most of which are found in the massifs of Coștila (120), Jepii Mici, Morarul and Bucșoiu.
Lăptici Peatland (BOG)
Located in the Ialomița Valley, at an altitude of approximately 1450 meters and covering an area of only 15 hectares, the Lăptici Bog is an oligotrophic swamp protected as a natural area of national interest. A wide variety of plant species specific to peat bogs are preserved here, including spruce, pine, birch, dwarf willow, blueberry, cranberry, juniper, sedge, red clover, piper and others. To visit this special attraction, a short circuit on a wooden bridge has been arranged that allows the admiration of the interesting vegetation and fauna without affecting this fragile space.
Horoabei Canyon
The area around Ialomița Cave is home to several interesting attractions, all protected within a complex natural reserve. Among them, the Bear Gorges and the Horoabei Canyon stand out, two nearby wild valleys with a multitude of attractions including sheer cliffs, grottoes, natural bridges, waterfalls, springs and more.
Sinaia Ski Domain
The city of Sinaia also boasts the largest ski area in Romania, with a total of approximately 25 approved ski slopes and their variants, totaling over 16 kilometers. The slopes are between 500 and 3,000 meters long, most of them being of medium level, and the most famous are Drumul de Vară, Valea Dorului, Valea Soarelui, Furnica, Lăptici, Floare de Colț and Călugărul. All these slopes are served by cable transport facilities, most of which start near the Furnica peak and descend on both sides of the mountain, both towards the Prahova Valley and the Bucegi Plateau, where several mountain chalets are located. To reach the ski area located at 2,000 meters altitude, tourists have the option of the cable car starting from the city center and the gondola starting at 1,000 meters. Both modern facilities have stations at 1,400 meters as intermediate points.
Theme Trails
There are several thematic trails in the Bucegi Natural Park, most of which are of easy or medium difficulty, allowing tourists to visit interesting attractions or discover the park’s landscapes and biodiversity. Among the most popular are the route from Bușteni to the Urlătoarea Waterfall, the route from Bușteni through Jepii Mici to the Babele Hut, the route through the Zănoagei Gorges to Lake Scropoasa, the route from Sinaia through Poiana Stânii Regale to Cota 1400, the circuit between Piatra Arsă and the Babele Hut or the route from Turbăria Lăptici.
Bolboci Lake
Set in a delightful natural setting, surrounded by the forested peaks of the Bucegi Mountains that descend towards the Ialomița Valley, Bolboci Lake is also known as the “Sea of Bucegi”. The reservoir is approximately 7 kilometers long and has a maximum depth of 30 meters, and in its northern part is the Tatar Gorges, a mixed nature reserve that stretches over 300 meters long and includes steep slopes, caves, waterfalls, and specific vegetation.
Accommodation Recommendations
The best lodging options in Buceg Natural Park
Rating 9.5 from 1.451 reviews!
One of the most prestigious hotels inside the Bucegi Natural Park, it is located in the heart of the mountains, offering superb and welcoming rooms, an international restaurant and spa center!
Orzea St., no.23, Padina – Peștera
Rating 8.9 from 1.061 reviews!
Located on the road that connects Sinaia to the summit of the Bucegi Mountains, at an altitude of 1000, this appreciated guesthouse offers accommodation in spacious rooms equipped with all utilities, a restaurant and activities!
DN71, Sinaia
Rating 9.4 from 169 reviews!
Located in the Ialomița Valley, in the middle of the nature park, this unit offers spacious and tastefully decorated rooms, as well as a restaurant, bar, terrace and garden!
Orzea St., no.42A, Padina-Peștera
