If you decide to do this trek, you should be in very good shape, and have done something similar before, meaning a multi-day trek in alpine terrain. It requires quite a lot of stamina, there are technical sections and weather conditions can get difficult, so this trek is recommended to experienced hikers only. Please read the factsheet to know what to expect. You can avoid the technical sections in case of bad weather, or if you simply don’t want to do them. 

Please read the factsheet (download) before you buy this trip. It contains all the information to let you decide whether this trip is right for you. In short, this trek is for you if you want to go hiking without a guide but still want some backup. You have a good fitness level, have been on a multi-day trek in alpine terrain before, are OK with technical passages, and love the wilderness. This trek is not suitable if you have not done anything similar before, don’t have a good fitness level or have fear of heights. It’s also not suitable for children.

The total distance of this trek is about 75 km, with a total altitude gain of 5100 m. That is if you follow the main stages; if you decide to follow alternative routes the total distance and altitude gain might differ slightly. 

Every day stage is 11 – 22 km in length and will take 6 – 8 hours (breaks not included). Total elevation gain per day is 800 – 1400 m. Total elevation loss per day is 700 – 2100 m. The last number is an outlier; it’s the long descent on the final day.

Yes, the trail is always waymarked, and waymarks have received a fresh coat of paint in recent years. You’ll mostly be following the red stripe waymarks which mark the main ridge. The route description clearly indicates which waymarks to follow. 

This is a linear hike, in other words, a hike that leads you from A to B.

‘Self-guided’ means that this trek is not accompanied by a guide. You go hiking yourself, armed with all the information I give you in the roadbook (route descriptions, gpx files and more). However, I am available before & during your trip for support over the phone/WhatsApp. You will also need to make your own reservations for accommodation and transport, based on the detailed instructions in the roadbook. If you prefer to let me do that, you can add this as an extra service at checkout. Read more about additional services here.

The hiking season for this trek is July- September. Do not attempt to go before or after these dates; huts will most likely be closed and weather conditions will possibly be unfavourable (snow, below zero temperatures). Within this window, you can choose any dates you like, providing that huts have availability, of course. That means it’s important that you book your accommodation before you book your plane/train tickets! If you want support over the phone from me, please confirm your travel dates with me well in advance so I can make sure I’m available.

The hike itself is five days and six nights, but you will need to travel to the trailhead and away again. You will need to add an arrival day and a departure day, so in total you will be needing at least seven days. If you are travelling from outside of Romania, I highly recommend calculating a travel day before and after, bringing the total to nine days. 

In theory, you can start hiking on the day you arrive at the trailhead (the first stage is short), but only if things work out very smoothly. On the day of departure, you should be able to get to the city/airport of your choice on the same day. A lot depends on your mode of transport and its availability. If you are on a tight schedule, I recommend booking my extra planning services so I can help you speed things up by organizing a private transfer for you, which is much faster than the train. 

After buying this trip, you can travel anytime you like, as long as it’s within the summer hiking season (July-September). I will regularly update the package, so if you postpone travelling by a couple of years you’ll likely get an update at some point! 

Because huts are popular and there are quite few of them, I recommend booking them at least three months ahead, especially if you’re travelling in the busiest months (July-August).

Yes. If you prefer, I can book all six huts and guesthouses for you, against a moderate booking fee. Likewise, I can organize private transfers to the trailhead and away again, or book train tickets for you. Read more here.

If huts or other accommodation are unavailable on your preferred travel dates, the best thing you can do is choose different travel dates. To avoid disappointment, book accommodation well ahead of your trip; at least three months.

If you have a rainy day or two during your hike, you can opt for one of the bad weather variants I’ve included in the itinerary. If the weather is too dangerous to hike in, ask the hut warden if you can stay another night. You can call me if you want me to discuss changes to your reservations. If you need to descend because of the weather, you can also discuss that with me. I will do my best to devise an alternate route and call a taxi for you if needed. If the weather is terrible during your entire stay, that is called major force and there is nothing we can do to change that, except find something else to do during your stay in Romania. I’ll happily make suggestions for that. But that normally doesn’t happen! 

If you need to cancel your trip to Romania last minute, there may be costs involved. This is at your own risk, which is why I recommend getting good travel insurance which covers trip cancellation as well. I am unable to return the cost of the self-guided package or cover any other expenses for you. Of course you can still go on the self-guided trek at a later stage; the package has no expiry date and will get regular updates. 

Yes, you can bring other people. This trek is recommended for small groups of 2-8 people. It is not intended for travel agencies or large groups. For safety reasons I don’t recommend hiking solo. 

GPX files are route files that you can upload to an app (Komoot or AllTrails for instance) and then they will show you the route you need to follow on your phone (or on a GPS device, if you have one). If you are unfamiliar with these and don’t know how to do this, I’ll happily talk you through it during the 30-minute intake call or on WhatsApp. 

You can find a cost breakdown on the trip overview page under ‘Total trip cost’. On average, the entire trip will cost you between € 745 and € 990 per person, depending on your personal choices (2025 price level). Prices are indicative and may change over time.

You could, but I don’t recommend it. There are sheepdogs in the Fagaras Mountains and they might want to attack your dog and put both you and your dog in danger. 

There are flocks of sheep in the Fagaras Mountains and you’re likely to encounter them. They’re accompanied by sheepdogs who protect the flock from invaders; mostly against bears and wolves but as a human you are also considered one. You’ll find advice on how to deal with them in the roadbook, including buying a pepper spray. There are bears too, which you’re unlikely to encounter because they mostly dwell in the forest. Again, I recommend a pepper spray like this one as a precaution, and you’ll find instructions on how to behave at a bear encounter in the roadbook. Rule #1: never run. Rule #2: never come between a mama bear and her cubs! Probably the most important takeaway regarding all (wild) animals you encounter on the trail is that you are in their habitat and that you need to be respectful of that. Stay on the trail at all times, leave no trace and make your presence known by making some noise. Wolves? You’d be very lucky to see one. I know plenty of shepherds who have though! No need to worry about them though.

There’s a detailed description of what gear you will need in the roadbook, but here’s a short summary. You will need a 30-40 litre backpack, hiking shoes, warm clothes, raingear, and I recommend trekking poles as well as a pepper spray, which you can buy once in Romania.

I recommend wearing hiking boots in the B category, with a firm (Vibram) sole and ankle support. If you feel more comfortable in trail runners you can do that too, but only if you have experience hiking in them! In any case your shoes need to be broken in and have good profile.

Romanian huts are bit more spartan than their cousins in the Alps, but they have great atmosphere and you will get a real taste of Romanian mountain culture, music and food. You will sleep in a bunk bed in a dorm; you can usually choose the size of your dorm though. Beds are fitted with sheets and a woollen blanket or duvet + pillow. You’ll need to bring a sleeping bag liner and pillow case. All huts have running water and showers. You may need to pay extra for using services such as the shower or charging your phone. At the start and finish of your trip you will stay in a guesthouse, and Cabana Balea Lac is more of a guesthouse than a hut too, so you’ll pretty much alternate between more basic huts and more comfy accommodation.

Yes, all huts serve breakfast and dinner, and you can order a packed lunch. You don’t need to make reservations for meals in advance; it suffices to do so when you arrive at the hut.