How to Find the Best Hiking Near Bucharest
Around one third of Romania is covered in rugged mountains making it an ideal hiking destination. However, this is not really common knowledge! There are many multi day trails you can follow through Transylvania and other parts of the country. But, if you are in the capital city for a few days, there is also plenty of hiking near Bucharest
In this post, we will outline the very best hiking near Bucharest, how to get there and what to expect. We have also thrown in some practical advice and local tips for good measure.
Where to go Hiking Near Bucharest
The Bucegi Mountains
The Bucegi Mountains are probably the most accessible for hiking from Bucharest.
Within the spectacular mountain range you will find the Sphinx and Babele attractions. For those who are now confused, these are actually two rock formations. Over millions of years they have been sculpted by the elements forming interesting shapes.
The Caraiman Cross is another feature of the Bucegi Mountains. This is an impressive WWI memorial overlooking the Prahova valley.
Omu Peak is the second highest point in Romania and is part of the Bucegi Mountain range. The towns of Sinaia, Busteni, Azuga and Predeal are all popular resort towns that sit at the bottom of the Bucegi Mountains.
These towns make a perfect base for a day hike from Bucharest and can be easily reached by train from the city. The train stops and both Sinaia and Busteni. Both of these towns also have fantastic cable cars meaning you can go further into the mountains in a shorter time. Definitely not cheating…
Trains from Bucharest take less than 2 hours and vary in price. On our last visit, our tickets cost around €10 each way. If the train is busy, it might be worth paying a few extra Euros to upgrade your ticket to first class. Trains depart from Bucharest Gara Du Nord Station and can be booked in advance online or bought at the station. For train times, check HERE.
The Best Hiking Near Bucharest – Piatra Craiului National Park
If you’re looking for more of a challenging hike, head to the Piatra Craiului Mountains. Around 3 hours drive from Bucharest there are plenty of options for hiking here. You will find over 70 different trails ranging from intermediate level to highly challenging.
For all you passionate hikers looking to conquer something new, the 25km limestone ridge is a 2 day hike that will test your skills to the limit. For those of us hoping for something more leisurely, there are many easier hiking routes that will take you from village to village. Don’t be surprised if you come across some free roaming livestock enjoying a relaxing afternoon. Rural Romania is beautiful to explore and has kept many customs alive so make sure you stop for a traditional feast!
The best way to reach Piatra Craiului National Park from Bucharest is by car. The drive will take about 3 hours and the latter half of the route is through beautiful countryside. You can also jump on the train to Busteni and take a taxi for the remaining distance. The taxi would cost around €30-40 each way.
As it is a little further, it might be worth turning this trip into an overnighter, you won’t regret it!
The Ciucas Mountains
These Mountains are made up of Karst formations making it a very interesting place to hike. There are at least 12 different trails to choose from. As it is just under 3 hours drive from Bucharest, it might be worthwhile staying overnight at the Cabana Vârful Ciucaș.
Most trails start near the village of Cheia on the DN1A road. From here, you can hike up to the cabana via the Gropșoarele. This will take around 3 hours or so. Ciucaș Peak (1,954m) is accessible from here and will take about 3 more hours to ascend. There is another route beginning from Vama Buzăului village which is served by the bus from Brasov.
The Best Hiking Near Bucharest – The Fagaras Mountains
The Fagaras Mountains make up the highest portion of the Transylvanian Alps. Moldoveanu Peak is the tallest at 2,544m but there are hundreds of peaks over 2,000m. The Transfaragas road is one of the most famous in the world due to its hairpin bends and spectacular scenery. These mountains offer some of the most natural and vast wilderness you will find in Europe.
This is truly one of the best hikes near Bucharest and you can get there without a car. The train goes from Bucharest to Fagaras in around 4 hours. If you choose to drive, it should take about 3 and a half hours.
When to go Hiking Near Bucharest
It is really important to check the weather before you set off – even during the summer! The conditions at high altitudes can change in an instant so be well prepared. The best times for hiking near Bucharest are usually around mid-April to late Oct for most mountains and trails from 1,500-1,800m. However, for anything above 2,000m, June to early October is safer if you want to avoid the snow.
Places like the Bucegi Mountains can get quite busy in the summer months so early or late season is perfect for a visit. It goes without saying, an early start is definitely advantageous.
Will I Need a Guide to go Hiking Near Bucharest?
This depends. We are far from pros, and we have been on several unguided day hikes without issue. Most trails are petty well marked. However, if you do not feel confident or if you are going on a long trail, it is certainly worth booking a local guide to enhance you hiking experience. There are also plenty of group hikes that you can join.
What to Pack when you go Hiking Near Bucharest
We have put together a convenient packing list for going hiking near Bucharest. This list is perfect for day hikes!
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Backpack with waterproof cover
- Snacks (energy bars, chews, trail mix, sandwiches)
- Water bottle
- Weather appropriate clothing such as windbreaker, hiking socks, buff/hat, and fleece. Make sure to wear layers to account for the changing conditions
- Headlamp (for the cool kids)
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Personal hygiene supplies (plastic garbage bags, toilet paper etc.)
- A basic first-aid kit (just in case)
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Map or downloaded GPS or map application on your phone
- Phone (plus power bank if required)
- Decent camera with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery
Look out for the Wildlife
When out hiking, be aware that you are sharing your surroundings with a variety of wild animals, although you are unlikely to encounter most of them. Some of these include the brown bear, lynx, wild boar, beautiful butterflies and a wide variety of birds including the raven, the Ural owl and the black woodpecker.
As always when travelling into the wilderness, keep things beautiful. “Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos and kill nothing but time.”
Safety When Hiking
Hiking is an incredibly enjoyable activity, but it comes with risks. Hikers must be ready to put safety first and be well prepared for the route. We have summarised a few pointers to follow when hiking in Romania.
- Plan Your Route in Advance
- Share your Route with a Trusted Friend
- Take a Good Map
- Stick to the Marked Trail
- Know how Much Daylight you Have and How Long Your Hike Will Take
- Don’t Take Risks
- Never Become Complacent
- Know your limits
- Always pack Thoroughly (see list below)
- Be Aware of Wildlife
If you get lost, S.T.O.P.
S – Stay calm. Relax, sit down, take a sip of water, breathe slowly.
T – Think. Get out your map and see what you can learn.
O – Observe. Look for landmarks, look for footprints.
P – Plan. If you know the route, go carefully and mark your trail along the way.
For a really useful source when hiking in Romania, click HERE
Where to go next
Ready for another Balkan adventure? Maybe you have some more time in Beautiful Bucharest. You could check out the National Village Museum? There is plenty more to discover in beautiful Romania.
Short on Time? Save “How to Find Incredible Hiking Near Bucharest” for later by pinning the image below.
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you done any hiking in Romania or the Balkans? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
There is no better way to explore a city or region then go on an all-day hike. Thanks for great ideas. Incredible views.
It looks like you’ve given me another reason to bump Romania up on my list! How did I not know about all the hiking here?! I’m gushing over that bear, so cool.