Tudor Șerban
Mountain guide
Leads the ridge days and the family walks. Qualified for technical terrain.
A day high in the Făgăraș
FăgărașMountain & HikingDemanding11 hPhotography
Duration11 h
GradeDemanding
Good forMax 6Ages 16+
Distance18 km
Ascent1250 m1250 m descent
This is a demanding mountain dayA full day at altitude with significant ascent. If you are unsure whether it suits you, ask us before booking rather than guessing — we would rather move you to a gentler day than have you struggle on the hill.
What the day is like
The highest ground in the country. A long, demanding day, and we cancel it without argument if the weather turns.
The Făgăraș is the highest ground in Romania and this is the hardest day we run. Eleven hours, twelve hundred and fifty metres of ascent, and a long drive at each end. It is a serious mountain day and we grade it that way.
Be honest with yourself
If you do not walk in hills regularly, this is not the day to start. The Bucegi plateau or the Piatra Craiului gorge will give you a better time.
Weather
Cancelled without hesitation for storms, high wind or poor visibility. The Transfăgărășan road itself closes for much of the year.
The day, hour by hour
05:30Very early pickup
Two hours to the Bâlea area. You will sleep in the vehicle and that is fine.
08:00Start walking
Straight into the climb from the lake. No warm-up.
11:00The ridge
Out onto the main ridge above two thousand four hundred metres. Nothing above you for a hundred kilometres.
12:30Lunch, wind permitting
Somewhere sheltered. There often is not anywhere sheltered.
13:30The long descent
Four hours down. This is the part that hurts.
18:30Back in Brașov
Evening. You will not want to cook.
What's included
We provide
- Group first-aid kit
- Trekking poles, if you want them — optional
You bring
- Boots with ankle support and a real sole
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers
- A warm layer — fleece or light down
- Two litres of water
- Sun protection and a hat
Where you meet
Pickup from your Brașov accommodation at 05:30
Who takes you out
Guides are not booked individually — we assign whoever knows that ground and season best, and tell you who it is when we confirm.
Pick a date
Questions people ask
How fit do I need to be?
You should be walking in hills most weekends and comfortable with a full day out. Eleven hours with twelve hundred metres of ascent is not something to attempt on the strength of a gym membership.
When does it run?
July to September, and only when the road is open and the forecast is clear. Snow lingers on the north side into July.
What if I cannot keep up?
The group moves at the pace of the slowest person, and the guide will turn everyone round if the timings stop working. Nobody is left behind and nobody is pushed on.