Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
violins. Warped, creaky stairs lead to basic but cosy rooms with woollen blankets, wooden
floors and plain en suites. Right outside is where buses and maxitaxis from Sighet drop
you, and where maxitaxis to Vatra Dornei and Iaşi depart. At the Complex Turistic ski re-
sort,
Pensiunea Vila Focus
( 0262-344 038; r 100 lei)
, near the chairlift, is a timber
and stone affair with a tempting restaurant and immaculate rooms. Try for digs facing the
mountain.
Buses run between Borşa proper and the Complex Turistic all day. There are several
daily buses to Sighet, stopping in most towns along the way. There are also daily maxitaxi
services to Moldavia: Vatra Dornei (departing at 7am, about 25 lei) and Iaşi (departing at
1pm, about 45 lei), passing Gura Humorului.
Prislop Pass
From Complex Turistic Borşa, a tight, winding road climbs for 10km to the remote Pris-
lop Pass. Hikers can trek north into the Maramureş Mountains or head south into the
Rodna Mountains and onward to Moldavia. Red triangles, then blue stripes lead to the
peak of the Gargalau Saddle (1925m, two hours). Then either continue east (red stripes) to
the Rotunda Pass, then southeast to Vatra Dornei, or west to the highest part of the massif
and on to La Cruce (four to five hours). From here the weather station on the summit of
Mt Pietrosul (2305m, blue stripes) is only 90 minutes away, which among the mind-bend-
ing views allows for a good long gaze into Ukraine without the hassle of border checks.
At this point, it's a direct hustle back down to Borşa (two to three hours).
Cabanas are scarce in this area; come prepared to camp out. Do not attempt to stray too
far from these trails without a good map and compass.
