Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Downhill Șaua Strunga - Simon - Piatra Arsă - Omu - Strunga - Bran - Râșnov

This is a bike ride I took with a buddy of mine this summer (2018), in the month of August,  a few few weeks after we hiked a similar trail - part of which overlayed the piece from Omu Peak to Șaua Strunga.

We got the idea to do so, because during our hike we saw a lot of people biking downhill, and I said to myself why not do this, it must be awesome.

Depending on your physical condition, this ride can take between 10 - 14 hours. It took me about 14 hours, but I was not necessarily in peak physical condition (had a lot of breaks, pushed my bike a lot).
It is not the easiest ride, but it is doable by anybody with a mountain bike (preferably one with disk brakes and at least 9 gears).

There are three stages to this bike trip:

• Piatra Arsa to the Babele Cabin
• Babele Cabin to the Cerdacul Obârșiei viewpoint
• Cerdacul Obârșiei viewpoint to the Omu Peak
• the ride downhill from Omu Peal to Râșnov via Șaua Strunga
• Tthere is also the ride from Râșnov to Bușteni, but it might be too much if you have not biked in a while or simply not biked such distances at all. We hitche hiked to Bușteni (where we left our car in the morning).

Getting to Piatra Arsă

We originally wanted to go up to the Babele Cabin, via the aerial tramway from Bușteni to Babele, but we got there at 7am, which for an August Saturday is very late. By the time we got there there were already a few hundred people in the line to go up. Keep in mind that you have to buy 3 (three !!) tickets to the aerial tramway, if you plan to take your bycicle (one ticket per person and two tickets for the bycicle, as space is limited in the cabin).

Not wanting to wait and also considering the price, which we only found out when we got there, we got a ride to Piatra Arsă from one of the many local companies offering such services - it cost 80 RON, and we took Transbabele to get there in a about an hour.

The End of the Transbabele Road, with the beginning of the trail to the Babele Cabin

The Ride from Piatra Arsă to the Babele Cabin

If you have not done this in a while, or not at all (as was the case with myself), it is a good intro to moutain biking. 

This portion of the trail is very level, but it can be become very crowded. It trail begins with a low incline and then the trail becomes steeper, as the trail goes up very close to the top of the Cocora Peak (2.191 meters).

After passing by the Cocora Peak, the incline becomes more bearable, up to the aerial tramway from Bușteni. There is a difficult portion from here to the Babele Cabin and Sphinx (I pushed my bike as pedaling was waaaay too difficult).

Mountain Biking in Bucegi - Caraiman Massif and the Caraiman Heroes' Cross as seen from the trail between Piatra Arsă and the Babele Cabin

The Ride from the Babele Cabin to Cerdacul Obărșiei

This portion of the ride is easy for the most part, a few small downhill and uphill portions, and then a easy slope towards the Cerdacul Obârșiei.

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Colții Obârșiei Peak in the background

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Colții Obârșiei Peak in the background

One of the most difficult portions of this segment is the one around the Colții Obârșiei Peak, which is a very tight trail on the edge of the ravine (pictured below). On this portion it might be necessary for the more unexperienced mountain bikers to push their bikes. This only takes about 15 minutes, it is not much of a hassle.

The views are amazing, with the Valea Cerbului (Stag's Valley) to the right and the Omu Peak in front.
Once at the Cerdacul Obârșiei (the Verandha of the Spring as it translates into English), it is high time to take a break, catch one's breath and enjoy the view, before continuing to the next step which is the toughest one of the day (by bike or pushing the bike).

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Omu Peak and Cabin in the background

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - the trail to the Cerdacul Obârșiei (in the middle) and Găvanele Peak in the backgroud to the right

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Colții Moraruui

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Cerdacul Obârșiei (in the middle), Găvanele Peak above and Bucura Peak in the backgroud to the right

The Ride from the Cerdacul Obărșiei to the Omu Cabin/Peak

It is tough - that is all I can say. The altitude difference is about 150 meters to be covered in less than  a kilometer (half mile).
The trail is free of any major obstacles, but it was tough because of the steep slope - I had to push my bike for the most part of this segment. Might be possible to cycle, if you have a moutain bike with 9, 10 or 11 read gears. Mine only has 7 so it was not really possible to cycle uphill.

Once at the Omu Peak and Cabin, time for the lunch break.

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Taking a break at the Omu Cabin/Peak

The Downhill Ride from the Omu Peak/Cabin to Râșnov

Once at Omu Peak, as they say, it is all downhill from here, with a few portions of climbing. The altitude difference is 900 meters, but fortunately downhill for the most part.

It is not necessarily a leisurely bike ride, but is very enjoyable. For this portion, one needs to make sure that the brakes and in tip top shape (if you have organic brake pads on your mountain bike you will probably need to replace them after this 😃).

There are three main parts this:

• the descent from Omu to the Strunga Refuge, on the Western ridge of the Bucegi Mountains
• the descent from the Strunga Refuge to Bran, also on the Western ridge of the Bucegi Mountains
• the asphalt ride from Bran to Râșnov

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Biking past the Bucura Peak with Gaura Glacial Valley to the right

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Biking past the Găvanele Peak with Cerdacul Obârșiei and Colții Obârșiei below in the background

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Biking past the Găvanele Peak with Cerdacul Obârșiei and Colții Obârșiei below in the background

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Biking past the Găvanele Peak with Doamnele Peak in the background

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Biking towards the Doamenele Peak with Mecetu Turcesc rock formation in the foreground and Colții Obârșiei Peak in the background

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Biking towards the Strunga Refuge - the trail continues all the way to the last peaks to be seen here. This is the Western less traveled and less touristy part of the Bucegi Mountains (Bătrâna Peak and Refuge in the middle, then further behind Strungile Mari Peak and even further Tătaru Peak where the trail begins to descend from the mountain)

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Biking towards the Strunga Refuge - Bătrâna Peak in the far background

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Biking towards the Strunga Refuge - looking back towards the Doamnele Peak 

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Biking towards the Strunga Refuge - the dwarf pines segment right before the Bătrâna Peak 

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Biking towards the Strunga Refuge - Bătrâna Peak and refuge

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Biking towards the Strunga Refuge - Strungile Mari Peak

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - Tătaru Peak with the Strunga Refuge below

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - downhill to Bran - Strungile Mari Peak to the right

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - downhill to Bran - Colții Țapului Peak to the right

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - downhill to Bran - entering the forest

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - downhill to Bran - Western ridge of the Bucegi Moutains (from left to right Doamnele Peak in the far background, Batrâna Peak in the middle and Colții Țapului Peak to the right)

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - downhill to Bran

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - downhill to Bran -  view of the Gaura Valley with the Omu Peak in the high in the background

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - finally in Bran

Moutain Biking in Bucegi - back to civilazation - enjoying a cup of coffee in Râșnov

One Day Hike Series - Bucegi Mountains - Pestera - Vârful Omu - Padina Cabin

I have not posted in a while; I have had a few interesting things/trips to post but did not have enough time to do it until now.

My latest and greatest hike is part of my One Day Hike series. It is also the first post in the new Summer of George series (a Seinfeld reference in case you missed it). This summer is special to me because I am on parternity leave, so I have planned a few weekends to take a break from babysitting.

Overall the hike is a moderate one in terms of difficulty with 3 portions of the trail involving steep uphill climbs.

This first hike is made out of 2 trails and takes place in the beautiful Bucegi Mountains (2 hours away without traffic from Bucharest - up to 4 in traffic).

Pestera (starting at the cable car) to Omu Peak in the Bucegi Mountains (marked with blue vertical stripe) - about 4 hours is relaxed stride with plenty of breaks

Omu Peak to Padina Cabin and then a hort walk to the Pestera (marked with redvertical stripe) - another 4 1/2 hours, again with plenty of breaks 

Pestera (starting at the cable car) to Omu Peak  

The hike begins at the base of the Babele - Peștera cable car - a 2 hour drive early morning from Bucharest on the Transbabele road (newly opened and very scenic).

This portion is easy to moderate in level of skill and effort required with two climbs along the way.

Peștera Cable Car to Omu Peak Trail Map

From the Peștera cable car the trail starts with a small uphill portion of about 20 minutes. Until it reaches a flat portion. 

At this point of the trail the Obârșia Valley can be seen to the left, Obârșia Mountain in the middle and Șugarilor Valey and Babele Mountain to the right.

Bucegi Mountains - from left to right, Doamnele Mountain, Obârșia Valley, Obârșia Mountain

Bucegi Mountains - from left to right, Obârșia Mountain, Șugarilor Valley and Babele Mountain

From this point on the climb begins towards the Obârșia Watrefall, on the right side of the Obârșia Valley - at first the climb is mellow and then becomes more steep (not too steep though). The valley used ot be a glacial valley so there a lot of remains from the glacial period - rocks of all sizes scattered all over the place.

Bucegi Mountains - Obârșia Valley

Bucegi Mountains - Obârșia Valley

Bucegi Mountains - Obârșia Valley - giant glacial boulder

In about 30 minutes the trail arrives at the Obârșia Waterfall.

Bucegi Mountains - Obârșia Waterfall

From here on a there is a very steep climb to the small plateau where the waterfall starts and then the trail continues north for another 30 minutes to a spectacular rock formation called Mecetu Turcesc and then past it

Bucegi Mountains - Mecetu Turcesc

Following the beautiful rock formation above there is the second steep climb of the trail. It is really tough. So tough, that I was not able to catch a breath and take pictures of it. Once finished, you will get to a junction of trails - one leading to Omu Cabin/Peak and another leading to the Babele Cabin/Peak.

One cannot miss the beautiful view of the Cerbului Valley, before the 40 minutes ascent to the Omu Cabin/Peak.

Bucegi Mountains - Cerbului Valley 

Bucegi Mountains - Ascent to the Omu Cabin/Peak - there is still snow left in June

Bucegi Mountains - Ascent to the Omu Cabin/Peak - there is still snow left in June

Bucegi Mountains - Omu Cabin/Peak 

Once at the cabin we took a well deserved one hour break to have lunch (it was 12:00 already). The cabin serves soup and other dishes (chicken, sausages and mashed potatoes).

Once at the Omu Peak, it is worth your time to take 15 minutes to look at the scenery around.

Bucegi Mountains - View of the Gaura Valley from the Omu Peak (West)

Bucegi Mountains - View of the Moraru Mountain from the Omu Peak (North) with the Piatra Mare Massif in the background on the right

Omu Peak to Padina Cabin

The second trail of the day is the easy one. It is a downhill trail (1.000 meters of elevation difference) with a small portion of brisk climb.

The trails starts with a small lean descent past Bucura Peak, and Găvanele Peak (with  view of the beautiful glacial valley of Gaura on the right - which I get the impression is the one of the largest if not the largest glacial valley in the Bucegi Mountains).

Bucegi Mountains - view of the descent to the Bătrâna Peak as seen from the base of the Bucura Peak (Gaura Valley to the right)

Bucegi Mountains - Gaura Valley as seen from the base of the Bucura Peak

Bucegi Mountains - view of the descent to the Colții Obârșiei Peak as seen from the base of the Găvanele Peak (Cerbului Valley to the left)

The trail continues past the Găvanele Peak, with a spectacular view of the Doamenele Peak on the trail leding up to it (which is the most difficult ascent in this second part of the trip). This ascent offers a unique view on of the Mecetu Turcesc rock formation as well as of the Obărșia Valley (on which we climbed to the Omu Peak initially).

Bucegi Mountains - the ascent to the Doamnele Peak with Mecetu Turcesc to the left

Bucegi Mountains - Mecetu Turcesc as seen from the ascent to the Doamnele Peak

Once the ascent is done, it is downhill from here for the most part. The descent is entirely on the western ridge of the Bucegi Mountains with spectacular (I use this word a lot but it is the best one to use) views of the Bucegi southern peaks and plateau.
The descent to the Bătrâna Peak is about an hour or so with plenty of place to take a break (cigarette break in my case).

Bucegi Mountains - view of the Piatra Craiului Mountains as seen from the Doamnele Peak

Bucegi Mountains - view of the descent to the Bătrâna Peak as seen from the Doamnele Peak

Bucegi Mountains - view of the descent to the Bătrâna Peak as seen from the Doamnele Peak

Bucegi Mountains - view of the descent to the Bătrâna Peak as seen from the Doamnele Peak

Bucegi Mountains - descent to the Bătrâna Peak

Bucegi Mountains - descent to the Bătrâna Peak

Bucegi Mountains - looking back towards the Doamnele Peak

Bucegi Mountains - another view of the Piatr Craiului Mountains

Right before the Bătrâna Peak, there is a one kilometer uphill portion (easy one) going through a patch of dwarf mountain pines, up to the Bătrâna Refuge (which can be used by hikers year long - not the best maintained refuge, but comfortable enough to spend a night there in the middle of the wilderness).

Bucegi Mountains - dwarf mountain pines on the way to the Bătrâna Peak

Bucegi Mountains - dwarf mountains pines on the way to the Bătrâna Peak (Colții Obârșiei Peak in the background)

Bucegi Mountains - Bătrâna Peak and the Bătrâna Refuge

From Bătrâna Peak on, there is a steep descent on a trail with scenic views overlooking the Colții Țapului Peak.

Bucegi Mountains - view from the Bătrâna Peak looking south

Bucegi Mountains - view from the Bătrâna Peak looking towards the Peștera Valley

Bucegi Mountains - descent from the Bătrâna Peak looking south towards the Colții Țapului Peak

Bucegi Mountains - descent from the Bătrâna Peak looking south towards the Colții Țapului Peak

Bucegi Mountains - looking towards the Babele Peak from the base of the Colții Țapului Peak

The trails rolls around the base of the Colții Țapului peak all the way to the Strungile Mai Peak (another hour or so).

Bucegi Mountains - Strungile Mari Peak

Bucegi Mountains - looking soth from the base of the Strungile Mari Peak

Bucegi Mountains - looking soth from the base of the Strungile Mari Peak

Bucegi Mountains - looking soth from the base of the Strungile Mari Peak

Bucegi Mountains - Strungile Mici Peak

And then ... the final descent starts once you reach the viewpoint to the Strungile Mici Peak. There is a 15 minutes brisk desent to the Șaua Strunga Refuge (recently refurbished and very decent looking - better choice for overnight stay compared to the Bătrîna Refuge if you ask me).

From the Șaua Strunga Refuge, the descent continues to the Peștera Valley (for another 30 minutes).
It is important to know that this last part of the trail goes past a big sheepfold and one needs to watch out for the sheep dogs (I almost go attacked by three of them - not a usual incident as the sheep herders are very mindful ofnot harming the tourists, but it can happen).

Bucegi Mountains - Strungile Mici Peak descending towards the Șaua Strunga Refuge

Bucegi Mountains - Strungile Mici Peak descending towards the Șaua Strunga Refuge

Bucegi Mountains - Sdescent from the Șaua Strunga Refuge to the Peștera Valley

Bucegi Mountains - Sdescent from the Șaua Strunga Refuge to the Peștera Valley

Bucegi Mountains - Sdescent from the Șaua Strunga Refuge to the Peștera Valley

... and voila ... The day trip is over  ... back to the Peștera Valley - feels like going back to civilization.

I strongly recommend this day hike, as it is a easy drive and an easy enough hike to make for an enjoyable day out of Bucharest.