Fagaras Mountains

GENERALITIES :

One of the most interesting elements of the natural offer Romania has got refers to the mountainous area. This area is very diverse, both from the accessibility point of view and from the provided facilities or tourist development possibilities' point of view. The highest mountain range in Romania is the Fagaras, reaching 2545 m. elevation on Moldoveanu Peak, while the lowest range is the Macin, reaching 467 m. elevation in its highest point. In between there are very diverse mountains, from the hilly-like, round-shaped Capatanii or Suhard, to the sharp Piatra Craiului or the massive, rocky and lake-filled Retezat or Parang. These mountains provide the tourist with many resting or active holidays opportunities.

Also known as the "Transylvanian Alps", as a 19th century traveler called them, the Fagaras stand for the widest, highest and most impressive mountain range in Romania, whether we are talking about extreme skiers, rock climbers, regular mountaineers or people interested in a nice and quiet place in the middle of the nature. The highest peak is Moldoveanu (2545 m. elevation) and the main range is over 70 km. long from Plaiu Foii Hut (E) to Valea Marului railway halt down on Olt Valley (W). The secondary ridges to the North are short (under 10 km. long), rugged and more scenic, but also more difficult (with many easy rock climbing routes), while the Southern ridges are round, much longer (up to around 30 km. long) and perfectly fit for more relaxing excursions.

The Fagaras comprise around 50 glacial lakes, of which Balea Lake is the widest (4,65 hectars) and Podragu Lake is the deepest (15,5 m. depth). Temperatures vary widely in between their recorded extremes (-38°C to +25°C). The second highest road in Romania (highest point: 2040 m. elevation), also known as the Transfagarasan, crosses these mountains from Curtea de Arges (S) to Cartisoara (N), being open between late June and October. It gives access all year round to the base stop of the cable car, which goes to Balea Lake, the sole site with skiing facilities in these mountains. Balea Lake, as well as most of the villages Northwards of the main ridge, provide best options for hiking incursions in these mountains, from easy a couple of hours hikes, to the 5-7 days long main ridge hike. Apart from the skiing or mountaineering opportunities, the Fagaras also have some outstanding cultural sites one could consider, such as Sambata Monastery, Poienari Castle (Vlad the Impaler's real castle), Fagaras Fortress a.o.