Rodna – the highest mountain ridge in Eastern Carpathians, located in Romania. These mountains are the most visited by tourists in Maramuresh region. Numerous pyramid-shaped peaks of over 2000 m, rapid streams, lakes, waterfalls and mineral water springs make Rodna one of the best hiking destination in Romania.
Day 1 City of Borsha
In the morning, you will meet your guides and the rest of the group at the railway station (main entrance) in Ivano-Frankivsk. There we will get a bus shuttle to Solotvyno (Transcarpathian region). Here we have some border crossing formalities. Then the road takes us to Romanian small town Sighetu Marmaciei. Another transfer to the starting point of our hiking trail – Borşa town. After short and not difficult hike, we'll head to our campsite.
Day 2 Lezer Lake
After breakfast, we start ascending on the mountain ridge, until reaching the Meteorological Weather Station located at about 2000m. Here we can take some rest and enjoy alpine meadows scenery. We continue our hike on the footpath going close to Lezer Lake. This mountain lake is located at an elevation 1820 m, and surrounded by fantastic landscape. For hikers this place is just a perfect for camping. Not far from this lake, our group stops for the second night.
Day 3 Pietrosul – Buhaescu Mare – Rebra – Kormaia
Today will be a spectacular day. From our campsite, we hike toward Mt.Pietrosul. The surrounding view is something you will not forget anytime soon. Finally, we reach the most famous and highest peak in the region, Pietrosul Rodnei, with a height of 2303 meters. The summit is amazing, on sunny days it gives us the fantastic breathtaking panorama of Rodna and Maramuresh mountains. There are also two summits of over 2000m high, we plan to climb today: Buhaescu Mare (2268m) and Rebra (2119m). At the foot of the mount Kormaia, we stop for the night.
Day 4 Nagoiasku Mare – Laptele Mare – Galatului
After breakfast, we head out for the exploration of the wild Carpathian region, covered by green alpine meadows. From the camp, the trail leads us along the main ridge. The Rodna Mountain massif features some wonderful glacial mountain lakes. There are more than 30 alpine lakes, which make these mountains more attractive.
Today our team will ascend three summits: Nagoiasku Mare (2049m), Laptele Mare (2172m) and Galatului (2048m).
Day 5 La Gavan cave and Cailor waterfall
Today our tourist path takes us to the picturesque waterfall Cailor (the Horses’ Waterfall). It is one of the most beautiful cascades in Romania, situated at an altitude of 1,300 meters. The total high of the waterfall is around 110 meters, it’s the highest waterfall of Rodna Mountains and Eastern Carpathians. There is also nice La Gavan cave, located next to the waterfall.
Nearby we will spend our last night, enjoying the stunning view of surrounding nature and mountains.
Day 6 Departure
Our final morning we’re descending to Borşa town. From here, the bus takes us back to Sighetu Marmaciei. On the way we'll have time to stop in Sapanta village and you will have the opportunity to visit the Merry Cemetery – one of the most cultural and unique places in Romania. The cemetery is famous for its tombstones, which are colorful and beautifully carved in wood. On each tombstone, there is a message, usually a rhyme poem with sense of humor, about the person who passed away, what he or she liked most during the life and sometimes about the way they died. After crossing the state border (from Sighetu Marmaciei to Solotvyno), we get a transfer back to Ivano-Frankivsk.
Please note. During this tour, we’ll cross the state border between Ukraine and Romania. So, you’ll need to have valid foreign passport with you. Also, find out if you need a visa to enter Romania.
