10
Ciucaș
Mountains
Hidden beyond endless and mysterious forests, the laced peaks pierce the horizon through countless bare rocks with fantastic shapes, like stone giants frozen and half-covered by the vegetal carpet, painted in the shades of each season!
Known and admired for their enchanting and often unique landscapes, the Ciucaș Mountains are often overlooked in favor of the more majestic peaks of the Bucegi or Piatra Craiului. The massif rises above the endless forests and gentler peaks of the Curvature Carpathians, their defining feature being the specific ruiniform relief, with a multitude of rock formations with amazing shapes. The Ciucaș Mountains are encompassed between the valleys of the Teleajen and Tărlung rivers, the Întorsurii depression and the Siriu, Tătaru, Întorsurii and Grohotiș mountains.
In addition to the spectacular landscape discovered along the tourist routes, the Ciucaș Mountains also impresses us with its rich biodiversity, with over 1,000 plant species, as well as over 2,000 animal species, including 60 species of mammals. We can enter the magical realm of these mountains quite easily, the national road 1A passing right beneath, which connects Brașov (40 kilometers) to Ploiești and further to Bucharest (150 kilometers). From this, several local roads branch off that climb the valleys, some almost to the peaks, but also several quite accessible hiking trails.
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We have a first adventure even before leaving the main road, with the national road featuring a dizzying chain of steep and seemingly endless curves, known as the Cheia Serpentines. Conquering this first obstacle, we can enter the forest road that follows the Berii valley and continue along a short trail through the forest to the Ciucaș Peak Chalet (altitude 1,600), where most of the hiking trails in this massif meet. The most important itineraries follow the two main ridges, Ciucaș – Bratocea, which develops in the northwest direction, and Gropșoarele – Zăganu, to the southeast.
The spectacular ruiniform relief of Ciucaș, somewhat similar to that of Bucegi, was formed by the action of natural environmental factors (rain, freeze-thaw, wind) on layers of conglomerate rocks over millions of years!
The most popular and memorable route climbs from the chalet to Ciucaș Peak (1,935 meri), surrounding the spectacular rock formations known as Tigăile Mari (Big Pans), a true stone garden. Around them we can also admire a lot of rocks with unusual shapes and suggestive names, the most remarkable being Tigăile Mici. Babele la Sfat, Turnul Goliat, Măna Dracului or Colții Bratocei. The area around Tigăile Ciucașului is included in a natural reserve that protects the unique relief and the special biodiversity here.
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Ciucaș peak can also be reached directly from the national road, following an accessible route that starts from the Bratocea pass and follows the Bratocea Ridge, which in turn includes several interesting rocks (the Bratocea Sphinx), but also offers memorable panoramas of the massif. Fascinating in any season, these true wonders of Ciucaș are especially impressive in the light of sunrise or sunset, and the pink explosion of the mountain peony at the beginning of summer creates an idyllic setting. Also from the Ciucaș Peak chalet we can start exploring the Gropșoarele – Zăganu Ridge, which stretches to the southeast and is wilder and less traveled.
Passing through the Chirușca saddle, we follow the main ridge, along the route being rewarded with fascinating views of the Ciucaș peak, but also of the stunning surrounding peaks. Here we can admire some interesting rock formations, even if less prominent in the landscape and wilder (Colții Zăganului, Turnul de Aramă, Stâncile Vulturilor and others). We can also reach this ridge from the Muntele Roșu Chalet, where a well-maintained road from the Cheia resort ascends. Several less frequented trails ascend to the main peaks of the Ciucaș from the north, from Vama Buzăului, and from the east, through Poiana Stânii.
Beyond these, the hidden valleys of these mountains also shelter other treasures less known to travelers, such as the Stânii Valley Gorges, the Pârâului Alb Gorges or the Cheiței Gorges. The main starting point of any journey through the Ciucaș massif is the Cheia Resort, which belongs to the Măneciu commune and developed from a small border settlement on the Teleajen valley. Nearby we can visit several interesting attractions, such as the Cheia Monastery (paintings by Gheorghe Tattarescu), the Suzana Monastery or the Măneciu reservoir. From the enchanting kingdom of the mountains, we descend back to the charming depression surrounding the Brașov fortress, known since ancient times as the Land of Bârsa…
Sights and Experiences
Places to See and Things to Do in Ciucaș Mountains
Hiking in Ciucaș Mountains
Although smaller in size and less well-known than other mountain ranges in Romania, the Ciucaș Mountains are highly regarded for their spectacular landscapes, relatively easy to explore by travelers. To climb to the crest of these mountains, hikers have three main, fairly accessible and frequented trails. The first of them follows the Berii Valley near the village of Cheia, climbing to the Ciucaș Peak Chalet (blue cross / 2-3 hours). Another trail starts from Bratocea Pass and climbs to Ciucaș Peak (red stripe / 1.5 – 2 hours), then descends to the same Ciucaș Peak chalet. Other trails (from Cheia or from the Berii Valley) climb to the Muntele Roșu chalet, then continue to the Gropșoarele – Zăganu peak (red triangle). There is a route that connects the entire ridge of these mountains, starting from Bratocea Pass, through the Tigăilor saddle, the Chirușca saddle, Gropșoarele peak, Zăganu peak, then descending to Cheia or Poiana Stânii. Other less known and frequented routes climb to the ridge from Vama Buzăului, Poiana Stânii or Babarunca. In general, the routes in Ciucaș are quite well signposted and arranged, especially the most popular ones. They do not present major difficulties or dangerous sections.
Tigăile Mari Protected Area
Declared a complex protected natural area (geological, geomorphological, floristic and landscape). It occupies an area of approximately 3 hectares. The relief of the reserve is dominated by an impressive rocky complex, created by the action of natural phenomena (wind, temperature, precipitation). Around the spectacularly shaped rocks stretch alpine pastures and meadows with a multitude of plants, some of which are protected or rare. Among these, the most notable are the elecampane, the mountain cocksfoot, field thyme, the small mountain stânjenel, the blueberry, the bone grass, the silverweed, the stinkweed, the juniper and others. Around the central complex of the Tigăile Mari, numerous other rocks with unique shapes rise, with suggestive names such as Tigăile Mici, Goliath’s Tower, Babele la Sfat, Mâna Dracului or the Bratocei Sphinx.
Chalets in Ciucaș Mountains
In addition to numerous guesthouses in the Cheia resort and nearby area, tourists who want to spend more time as close as possible to the landscapes and memorable experiences of the Ciucaș mountains have several more important chalets at their disposal. The most famous is the Vârful Ciucaș chalet, located at an altitude of 1600 meters, less than 2 hours from the Ciucaș peak. Although there is also a forest road that goes up the Berii valley, in the last part it is quite difficult and tourists can continue on foot. The chalet offers approximately 70 places to stay in two buildings, including a restaurant. Across the valley to the south, a modernized local road allows access in summer to the Muntele Roșu and Silva chalets, located at an altitude of almost 1300 meters, in a clearing on the summit of Muntele Roșu, named after the large areas of mountain peony that blooms here in early summer.
Other Interesting Discoveries
Lesser known places and activities in Ciucaș Mountains
Cheia Monastery
Located right at the southern entrance to the town, the Cheia monastery has been attested since 1770, but has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over time. Dedicated to the Holy Trinity, the current church was built between 1835 and 1839, and was painted by the famous Gheorghe Tattarescu. Other elements worth admiring include the Baroque iconostasis made in Vienna, the imperial icons and the small museum.
Suzana Monastery
Founded in 1740, the monastery is located in the Teleajen Valley, a few kilometers south of the town of Cheia. The current church of the Suzana Monastery dates back to 1875 and 1882, being painted by one of Gheorghe Tattarescu’s disciples and restored in recent decades. It has a neoclassical architecture with three towers, and inside it has a beautiful cherry wood iconostasis and oil-painted icons.
Bison Valley Reserve
Located in the town of Vama Buzăului, in the northeastern part of the Ciucaș Mountains, the Valea Zimbrilor reserve was established in 2008, and the following year it received five bison from abroad. With an initial area of only 10 hectares, the plan is for the final area to include up to 80 hectares of forest, and the bison to be released into the wild someday. Currently, visitors can admire 14 bison here, as well as deer, elk, mouflons and peacocks. There are numerous accommodation units in Vama Buzăului, as well as several local gastronomic points.
Opening hours: daily 9 – 20 | Tickets: 30 lei (6€)/adult
Cheia Museums
Declared a climatic resort, Cheia offers not only extraordinary opportunities for hiking and spectacular landscapes. Two small, unique museums have recently opened in the town. The “Francisc Rainer” Anthropology Museum takes the name of a scientist considered the founder of Romanian anthropology, who used to spend his free time here. The small museum presents interesting aspects of this science, presented in an interactive setting. Nearby is the “Mine Flowers” museum, which presents a fascinating collection of minerals and superb geodes discovered in Romania.
Opening hours: 9 – 19 (summer) / 9-17 (winter) | Tickets: 8 lei (2€)/adult/museum
Măneciu Lake
With an area of almost 200 hectares, the Măneciu reservoir was created on the Teleajen River by building an earthen dam in the 1980s. Located in a splendid natural setting, at the foot of the Grohotișului and Clăbucetul Măneciului mountains, the lake has contributed to the development of tourism in this area. In addition to the memorable landscapes, tourists can also carry out other leisure activities on the shores of the lake (fishing, boating)
Tabla Buții Pass
One of the oldest passes over the Carpathians, used since antiquity, the Tabla Buții Pass is now accessible only by forest roads. Located at an altitude of 1340 meters in the Tataru Mountains, on the watershed between Buzău and Teleajen, this place has major historical significance. In addition to the historical vestiges (the ruins of a Teutonic fortress), fierce battles took place here in World War I, and the Butii Pass now houses a military cemetery. One of the most important strategic roads over the Carpathians passed here in ancient times, after the Dacians, Romans and migratory peoples, including a customs house being organized in the medieval period.
Accommodation Recommendations
The best lodging options in Ciucaș Mountains
Rating 10 from 11 reviews!
This unique accommodation unit offers you an incredible experience at the foot of the Ciucaș Mountains, offering gorgeous rooms, a restaurant, an animal farm, lounge, garden and more!
Cheia Village
Rating 9.5 from 231 reviews!
A highly rated guesthouse in Cheia, it offers cozy rooms, a restaurant with traditional local dishes, private parking, terrace and playground!
Cheia Village
Rating 9.2 from 386 reviews!
Located in Măneciu, approximately 20 km south of Cheia, this elegant hotel offers spacious family rooms with all amenities, breakfast option and terrace!
Gării St, no. 425A, Măneciu