Enfolded in the cold embrace of the Bucegi mountain ridges, a valley of amazing beauty is born from the springs hidden among the rocks of the Obârșiei, Doamnele, Babele and Bătrâna ridges. The rapid torrents often form superb waterfalls, and after calming down and merging lower down, continuing south through often spectacular landscapes. Unlike other valleys in the heart of the mountains, this one has been tamed and roamed for a long time, with the road accompanying it close to the springs and numerous traces of human activity!
The first impressive area of the Ialomița Valley is the one around the Ialomița Cave, a wild karst area that also includes the Urșilor Gorges, Cocora Cave, the Cave Gorges, the Horoabei Canyon, the Seciului Tower and the Poiana Crucii, a superb natural reserve that offers numerous spectacular landscapes and exciting activities. We first enter the Ialomița Cave, and at its entrance we are greeted by the small white church reminiscent of the old Ialomița monastery, which appeared in these isolated places more than five centuries ago. Near the cave we can also venture into the wilderness of the Horoabei canyon, a narrow and deep valley that offers extreme sensations. Although the route is not marked, it is secured in the more dangerous places with chains or metal ladders, thus passing over huge rocks and past small noisy waterfalls.
We continue along the valley and just a few kilometers away, we stop for a few moments to admire the Lăptici Peat, a small reserve with unique specific vegetation. The river continues quite quietly until the rocks approach again and the Tatar Gorges are born, quite short but impressive. From here, Lake Bolboci begins to form, a true sea in the middle of the mountains, mirroring the surrounding forests and ridges. The last destinations on this idyllic valley between the mountains are found just a few kilometers south of the Bolboci Lake dam.
The Zănoaga Gorges are a complex natural reserve that impresses us with the overwhelming beauty of the landscapes. Passing on one side of the river, among rocks, over waterfalls and through lush forests, the approximately one-hour route descends quite gently to one of the most spectacular places in the Ialomița Valley. Lake Scropoasa has already become famous for its picturesque setting and turquoise color under the sun’s rays. Nearby we can also admire the Şapte Izvoare waterfall, a charming natural wonder…
Location & Access
Dâmbovița County (Bucegi Mountains) – GOOGLE MAPS
150 km north of Bucharest (3 hours by car) / 70 km south of Brașov (2 hours by car)
From Sinaia, follow the DN71 road, from which the DJ713 road branches off, which climbs towards the Bucegi plateau. Near the Dichiu chalet, continue forward on the DJ713A which descends towards the Ialomița valley, then enter the DJ714 road, which accompanies the valley to the north.
To reach the valley in winter, an easy option would be to take the Bușteni Babele Cable Car – and then continue with the Babele – Peștera Cable Car!
Busteni-Babele Schedule: Monday-Sunday – 8:30-15 (closed Tuesday) / Babele-Peștera Schedule: Friday-Sunday – 8:30-15:30 | Tickets: 250 lei/adult (round trip)
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1. 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 cliffs, small waterfalls, but also an 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. The route is relatively easy, being slightly downhill, but as it also passes over a few larger boulders, respectively through the forest, it can be problematic in rainy weather.
2. Scropoasa Lake
One of the most beautiful lakes in the Romanian Carpathians, even if it is not of glacial origin, Lake Scropoasa was created on the Ialomița River since 1929. Its special attraction comes from its picturesque location, surrounded by forests and mountain peaks, but especially from its specific turquoise color, especially in the sunlight. It has an area of almost 6 hectares and a maximum depth of 15 meters, its waters feeding the Dobrești hydroelectric power plant, located a few kilometers down the valley. At the southern end of the lake are the Orzei Gorges, quite difficult to explore. This lake can be reached either by following the hiking trail through the Zănoagei Gorges, or by a forest road that branches off from local road 714, which is also unpaved.
3. Ialomița Cave
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.
4. Bolboci Lake and Tătaru Gorges
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.
5. Seven Springs Waterfall
Among the most charming places in the Bucegi Mountains, the 7 Springs waterfall is located a few minutes from Lake Scropoasa, at the end of the Zănoagei Gorges. It can also be reached by a forest road (blue cross) starting from the village of Glod, but the route is much longer. From under an imposing rocky wall, the water gushes violently through seven springs, falling towards the valley through countless swirling ribbons. The lush vegetation formed in this splendid area enhances the beauty of the place. The 7 Springs waterfall is also shrouded in an air of mystery, the waters here being considered the purest in the world, or at least in Romania, but the causes of this phenomenon are only theoretical.
6. Horoabei Canyon
One of the most spectacular, but also dangerous places in the Bucegi Mountains is located near the Ialomița cave. The Horoabei Canyon can be explored starting from under the cave or from the Padina glade. Although it is in places equipped with chains and metal stairs, the canyon is not marked as a tourist route and is officially closed to visitors. Among the dangers inside are unforeseen floods or difficulty in orientation. However, there are travelers who venture into this wild and impressive place, dotted with huge rocks, interesting waterfalls or very narrow and steep passages. The route requires a lot of attention and is not recommended for those unprepared for sustained physical effort.
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7. Lăptici peat Bog
Located in the Ialomița Valley, at an altitude of approximately 1450 meters and with 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.
8. Doamnele and Ialomița Waterfalls
From the Peștera area, located near the sources of the Ialomița River, several hiking trails start that climb to the peaks of the Bucegi Mountains, both to the west and to the east. One of these goes to the Bâtrâna Peak (red triangle), and along it you can discover the Doamnele Waterfall (2 hours round trip). Maybe not the highest or most spectacular, this one is quite special and attractive, appearing from among the junipers above a rocky ledge. Following another slightly longer trail that climbs the Obârșia Valley (blue band, 3-4 hours), you can also discover the Ialomița Waterfall, also known as Obârșia Ialomiței, very high and sometimes quite rapid.
Lodging Options on the Ialomița Valley
Rating 9.5 from 971 reviews!
A prized hotel experience in the heart of the mountains, this luxury resort offers superior rooms with every comfort, a European restaurant, a wellness and spa center, and much more!
Padina – Peșteram Cota 1600m
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.23, Padina – Peștera
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. 42A, Padina-Peștera