I made this hike about a year ago (August 2016) with some friends of mine, and, while it was rather challenging, specially for somebody in my shape, it is one of the best hikes to be had, in the whole Romania I wanna say.
Bucegi Mountains are about one and half hours' drive from Bucharest (in the early morning - later in the day could even take 3 or more hours). Expect to leave Bucharest at 7am in the morning and to come back at 10 pm at night for this lovely hike.
The hike starts in Busteni, rigth at the base of the Jepii Mici trail, about 400 meters up from Hotel Silva and the Busteni-Babele Aerial Tramway (Telecabina) -
there is plently of space to park there.
Expect the following times: 3-4 hours to the Caraiman Cabin; 1 hour's rest at the Caraiman Cabin; 1 hour from the Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes' Cross; 1 hour at the Heroes' Cross; 1 hours to the Busteni-Babele Aerial Tramway (Telecabina) - the Babele Stop; 15 minute for the ride to Busteni.
Stage 1 - The Jepii Mici Trail to Caraiman Cabin - 4-5 hours
The first stage of the hike is the most difficult one. It is also as spectacular as it is difficult.
It is named after the plant - dwarf pine would be the ad-literam English translation, which can be found above 2.000 meters.
The altitude difference - 1.140 meters
Caraiman 2025
Busteni 885
The trail begins in the woods on a very gentle slope. Then the slope becomes heavier and heavier.The trail will criss cross the little stream going through the valley.
This is an especially pleasant part of the hike because of the shade. It is also somewhat less difficult than the rest of the trail since there are not a lot of obstacles and the trail is less abrupt.
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The Jepii Mici Trail - The Beginning of the Trail |
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| The Jepii Mici Trail - Poddle Along the Way |
When it rains, which was not the case with our hike, there is even a small waterfall to be seen.
The most rewarding moment is when you reach the end of the trail and get to see the Caraiman Cabin on your left.
Once you get to the Caraiman Cabin you can rest for an hour - get some coffee ot tea or something to eat. Don't expect a Swiss chalet, as the Caraiman Cabin is rather old (50+ years) and its amenitires are not necessarily up to date. It is however a nice place to spend a few hours enjoying the scenery.
Stage 2 - The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - about 1 hour
By comparison this second leg of hike is a lot shorter, both in terms of distance and in terms of time. However, I perceived it to be more dangerous, with the exception of the first 300 meter portion, all the trail is very narrow and right on the edge of a very deep (1.000 meters maybe) abyss.
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - Looking Up at the Trail |
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - Flowers |
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - Looking Down at the Caraiman Cabin |
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - Myself Looking Down at the Caraiman Cabin |
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - Looking Up at the Trail |
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - Myself Looking Up at the Trail |
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - About Half Way Through |
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - A Platform Above the Abyss |
About half way theough the trail there is platform into/above the abyss, where you literally see 1.000 meters down. I was too scared of the heights to walk on it, but if you are not afraid of heights it is an experience worth trying.
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - A Platform Above the Abyss |
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - A Platform Above the Abyss |
After the "platform in the sky" the trail continues on the most challenging portion where you have a 200 meter rock wall on your leftside and 1.000 meter abyss on the right of the 1 meter wide trail. Definitely on exercise to help you beat your fear of heights.
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - Getting Close |
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - Dangerous Portion of the Path |
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - After the End of the Danger Zone |
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - After the End of the Danger Zone |
Then the "danger zone" ends, and you get to see (assuming there will be no clouds) a picture perfect view of the Caraiman Heroes Cross, which by now is about 15 minutes away.
The cross itself is about 36 meters high and was built in the 1920s to commemorate Romania's win in the First World War (The Great War), which meant the addition of the Transylvania region to the country.
The view is spectacular to say the least. You can see the Prahova Valley and on the sides, the Costila Peak and the Jepii Mari slope. That is if there are no clouds/fog.
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - The Plateau of the Heroes Cross |
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - The Heroes Cross |
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - The Heroes Cross |
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - The Heroes Cross Platform with the Costila Peak in the Distance |
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - The Heroes Cross |
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| The Caraiman Cabin to the Heroes Cross Trail - The Abyss Surrounding The Heroes Cross |
Then the last leg, from the Caraiman Heroes Cross to the Busteni - Babele Cable Car is a proverbial walk in the park. The trail is strainght without a lot of slopes, definitely not steep slopes, so you get to really observe and enjoy the beautiful scenery and nature.
As a side note, you will plenty of edelweiss flowers. Do not pock them up, because they are a protected species and as a result this will lead to hefty fines.
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| The Heroes Cross to the Busteni-Babele Cable Trail - Just Chillin |
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| The Heroes Cross to the Busteni-Babele Cable Trail - In the Clouds |
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| The Heroes Cross to the Busteni-Babele Cable Trail - In the Clouds |
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| The Heroes Cross to the Busteni-Babele Cable Trail - Edelweiss |
When you see this you hike is almost done. If you would have left Bucharest at 7am by the time you see this sight it will be 6am.
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| The Heroes Cross to the Busteni-Babele Cable Trail - the End of the Trail |
All in one, try this trail as it is worth your time and effort.
Enjoy and comment on the article.
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