Randonnée dans les montagnes Fagaras


3 days in Fagaras mountains, climbing Moldoveanu peak, with a nice group of 5 persons. First 2 days the weather was ok, we were lucky on the day when we climb Moldoveanu peak, we can admire the view from up there. On the last day we had to change our plan, and descent to Victoria on Arpasul Mare valley, instead to go back to Balea Lac to recover our cars, but as Thomas and Aurelien said even the descent on the valley was nice and interesting.
Enjoy the photos!
Iulian Cozma

Trois jours dans les monts Fagaras. Et il n’est pas peu dire que Iulian est d’une inestimable aide pour mener à bien un programme de cette ampleur. De l’organisation du parcours à la réservation du gîte et des couverts, Iulian a permis au groupe d’effectuer cette randonnée en toute sécurité et sans aucun problème grâce a sa connaissance des monts Fagaras. Et même quand la météo s’est retournée contre nous, Iulian nous a emmenés sur un sentier dans une magnifique forêt entrecoupée de torrents. On en viendrait presque à remercier la météo de n’avoir pas été au beau fixe pour ce dernier jour.
Pour résumer ce week-end : de très beaux paysages, une compagnie sympathique et une sensation géniale d’épuisement et de travail accompli.
Merci encore Iulian, et bonne continuation.
Aurélien Thinat, France

Anfangs September unternahm ich mit einer Gruppe von 4 jungen Franzosen und Iulian einen dreitägigen Ausflug in die Fagaras-Berge. Das Ziel war der Moldoveanu, der höchste Berg Rumäniens. Treffpunkt war Balea Lac auf dem Transfagasaran Highway; von dort aus ging es über Berg und Tal (insgesamt vier Mal rauf und runter, d.h. etwa 5-6 Stunden Marschzeit) bis zur Podragu-Hütte, wo wir zwei Mal übernachteten. Die Hütte ist sehr spartanisch eingerichtet, aber die Bewirtung (deutschsprachig!) war extrem freundlich und der gute Tsuika half auch, den Schlaf besser zu finden. Am nächsten Morgen ging es dann in Richtung Moldoveanu, den wir ohne viel Stress in etwa 3 Stunden erreichten. Kurz nach unserer Rückkehr zur Hütte fing es an zu regnen – Glück gehabt. Am letzten Tag mussten wir leider das Programm wegen dicken Nebels ändern. Anstatt auf einem Höhenweg wieder zurück nach Balea Lac gingen wir den sichereren Weg ins Tal runter. Der interessante Weg durch den Wald und einem Wildbach entlang entpuppte sich aber als sehr gute Alternative, v.a. auch da wir mehreren Feuersalamandern über den Weg liefen. Zum Glück wurden wir auch dieses Mal nicht eingeregnet – es fing erst 5 Minuten nach Ankunft in Victoria an zu regnen. Iulian organisierte dann einen Minibus, der uns hoch zu unseren Autos in Balea Lac brachte. Während den drei Tagen zeigte sich Iulian als äusserst kompetenter und umgänglicher Bergführer, der immer um das Wohl seiner Gäste besorgt ist. Es lohnt sich ohne Frage, mit ihm zusammen einen Ausflug in die tollen rumänischen Berge zu wagen.
Thomas Bubendorf, Zurich


Climbing Moldoveanu peak in Fagaras mountains Climbing Moldoveanu peak in Fagaras mountains Climbing Moldoveanu peak in Fagaras mountains Climbing Moldoveanu peak in Fagaras mountains

Climbing Moldoveanu peak in Fagaras mountains Climbing Moldoveanu peak in Fagaras mountains Climbing Moldoveanu peak in Fagaras mountains Climbing Moldoveanu peak in Fagaras mountains

Climbing Moldoveanu peak in Fagaras mountains Climbing Moldoveanu peak in Fagaras mountains Climbing Moldoveanu peak in Fagaras mountains Climbing Moldoveanu peak in Fagaras mountains

Climbing Moldoveanu peak in Fagaras mountains Climbing Moldoveanu peak in Fagaras mountains Climbing Moldoveanu peak in Fagaras mountains Climbing Moldoveanu peak in Fagaras mountains

Leave a Reply

Last update - 30 July 2010

Latest testimonials
It's quite possible that a vacation in Romania might pose some challenges for the average American tourist, especially when planning to visit castles, monasteries, and historical towns, as well as complete a 4-night hut-to-hut hiking traverse of the Fagaras Mountains. Challenging, that is, unless your trip is in the capable hands of Iulian Cozma. From our pickup at the Bucharest airport to our 4:30 a.m. departure back to the airport 10 days later, every step of our trip was handled by Iulian with the utmost efficiency and care for our comfort and enjoyment. His skills go far beyond his competence as a mountain guide or his organizational abilities in handling every detail of lodging and traditional Romania menus. It's a rate individual who can teach his guests how to clear hundreds of sheep from a hiking trail (just whistle!), then several days later escort them to an elegant and extraordinary restaurant in Bucharest. He is one hard working individual, and it is amply demonstrated in the results achieved. We had the good fortune to enjoy many wonderful and memorable experiences thanks to Iulian and would highly recommend his services to anyone who wants an unforgettable and stress-free vacation in Romania.
Jim and Peggy Hilton - Seattle, WA USA – July 2010 – Fagaras ridge traverse

Chris and I would like to thank you so much for the walk you put together for us all. It was well prepared and planned, The meadows so full of wild flowers were breathtaking,and we were very impressed with your knowledge of where to walk, especially where there were no known paths. We felt you carried out the walk with true professionalism. You were extremely helpful at all times and very informative on all aspects of the walk,the area and customs of Romania. The Pensions were really nice to stay in and the people we met were so lovely and friendly. It was a pleasure to visit your country and especially Transylvania, which you obviously love and care about. Once again thank you so much. We wish you and your family best wishes for the future,
Chris and Yvonne Hartley – Leicestershire, England – June 2010

Iulian was a very friendly and efficient guide, and took us on a great two-day, low-level route in the beautiful Piatra Craiului National Park through forest (which we were glad of in the heat) and lush meadows. We paid a fascinating visit to cheese-making shepherds (and had a robust encounter with some sheep dogs!)
Mary Byrne,London, UK - July 2010

After a very nice experience with Iulian in May where we discovered Omu Peak in the Bucegi mountains we decided this time to go hiking in the Fagaras Mountains on 19th&20th of June. It is the best period because all Rhododendrons are blossoming and the top of the hills turn red. We slept on Friday in Brancoveanu Monastery and on Saturday morning we moved up from 800m to 2100m on the North Dragus ridge. The climb was tough but the scenery on the top with all the trees blossoming was worth all the efforts.We had a great lunch next to a stream before to start our descend to the Salvamont Hut on Valea Sambatei. At the end we had been covering a distance of 15km, walking up 1300m and walking down 800m. All in all a great experience witch I recommend to anyone who wants to discover this unique scenery of the Fagaras mountains covered by red Rhododendron flowers.
Beth and Marc Desenfans, June 2010

A massive thank you for arranging, and then personally guiding us through our amazing Romanian experience. The itinerary you put together perfectly matched our requirements - it covered mountain, country, forest and city landscapes -all in 5 days. In addition seeing a wild bear with her cubs, having a cup of fruit tea in a weather station on on top of Omu and watching the hay making process, were all unexpected bonuses. Our biggest thank you goes to you personally for your attention to detail - from the fantastic Romanian food you ensured we had, sharing your knowledge and insight with us as we covered the many kilometers during our daily hikes. We would recommend you to anyone (and have passed on your details already) - and happy that you share this note, our photos and contact details with others who may be considering a Romanian adventure. Until next time,
Dave and Jo, UK - June 2010

My recent hike (May 2010) with Iulian will certainly be one I remember. He arranged and accompanied me on a one day 25km hike up over Piatra Mare which offered me a challenge, incredible scenery, a couple of places to stop along the way. This was my second hike with Iulian and I intend to use his guide services for many more. He is able to guide through well-planned routes that I would not be able to find on my own. Iulian chose this route based on my ability, schedule, and desire to see certain areas. His services are professional and his personality made the entire expedition a pleasure. The mountains of Romania are Iulian's home and it's clear that he enjoys sharing the beauty of the area to others.
Mike Eubanks - USA - May 2010

Lovely trip. Lovely senery. Silence and tranquility for those who want to get away from hum of busy city… Pestera is a special place, much different from Sinaia or Predeal. It’s a kind of a hidden valley located in the heart of mountains. The trip became my first experience in mountain walking. We’ve made around 15 km each day. In fact, I’ve never walked so much in a single day in my whole life:) Physically challenging, though exciting. Definitely a good excersize. Liked a lot walking on snow..Presence of Iulian inspired the confidence and feeling of safety in a trip. Looking forward to new mountain adventures.
Alexander Sidorov, May 10