Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Piatra Craiului National Park
Climbers, hikers and lovers swoon about Piatra Craiului and its twin-peaked Piatra Mică
('Stone of the Prince'), marked by a large stone cross, and La Om (2238m), which offers
climbers one of Romania's greatest challenges. The 25km-long range covers 148-sq-km
from Zărneşti down to Podu Dâmboviţei and rises from the ground in near-vertical lime-
stone towers.
The national park office has maps for sale, including Dimap's 1:70,000
Piatra Craiului
(10 lei) and
Postăvarul
(15 lei).
In May/June and September, Piatra Craiului receives heavy rainfall. Summer storms are
possible and in winter much of the mountain cannot be accessed. Avalanches are com-
mon.
HIKING
Day-hike loops from Zărneşti are an option. For one that takes four to six hours, follow
blue-stripe markers south of town, past Cabana Gura Râului
;
the trail then veers northwest
to
Cabana Curmătura
( 0744-706 941; shared/ private room 30/70 lei)
, where you
can follow yellow vertical-stripe markers back to Zărneşti. An alternative return splinters
east on the blue-dot trail up
Piatra Mică
(a 1816m peak).
Several trails meet up behind Cabana Curmătura, from where you can follow a blue-
stripe trail in a looping direction west and north to Colţul Chiliilor Monastery peak
(1125m, two hours). The blue-stripe trail back to the northwestern edge of Zărneşti from
here is relatively flat (about two hours).
More-experienced hikers eye the tougher stuff, back on the western side of the range.
You should have a guide who knows the area (ask at the park office or in Braşov). From
northwestern Zărneşti, a road marked with red-stripe signs goes 11km to 849m
Cabana
Plaiu Foii
( 0726-380 323; r 120 lei)
. It's best to hike as the road's pretty rough. From
the cabana, a very difficult trail (red stripes, four hours) goes up limestone cliffs to
La
Lanturi
(or 'to the chains', as you'll need to use the permanent cables to navigate some of
the narrow canyon walls). Nearby is the vigorous climb up to the highest peak in the park,
La Om
(2237m).
