Getting there
- Flights to Sibiu (SBZ) 45 km from the start
Treks / Romania
Făgăraș Ridge Traverse
Romania · Nearest city: Bucharest (also Brașov, Sibiu)
TypeMulti-day trek
Days5–7
Distance≈ 70 km
Climbingvaries
Highest point2,544 m
A wild traverse along the highest ridge of the Carpathians, crossing Romania's highest peaks Moldoveanu and Negoiu.
Fitness
Hard
Best seasonJuly to September
High pointMoldoveanu
Watch out: Few huts and fewer people. This is bear country, so camp and store food carefully.
Why people choose it
It's the wildest ridge in the Carpathians, with Romania's highest peaks and very few other hikers.
What makes it different
- Romania's highest peaks
- Brown bears live in these mountains
- A long, wild ridge traverse
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
This trek reaches 2,544 m, and many policies stop covering hiking at 2,000 to 3,000 m unless you add an activity upgrade. World Nomads needs its Level 3 activities above 2,000 m, Heymondo its Adventure add-on above 3,000 m, and SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trekking up to 4,500 m.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Wild camping is generally tolerated in the mountains away from reserves, but this is bear country: cook and store food away from your tent.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Negoiu Peak → Moldoveanu Peak
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Book your first and last nights, and check whether accommodation along the way needs reserving.
- Best time to go: July to September.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Bucharest.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
- You can carry a tent and camp where it's allowed, which saves money and gives more flexibility.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: July to September
June to early July
Early season
Snow patches linger on north-facing slopes and high passes. Huts are just opening, meadows are full of flowers and paths are quieter.
Bring
- Microspikes or light crampons for snow patches
- Gaiters
- Warmer layers for cold mornings
Mid-July to August
Peak season
Most reliable weather, but also the busiest huts and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Hot in the valleys.
Bring
- Sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Rain jacket for storms
- Hut bookings made months ahead
September
Late season
Clear, stable days and fewer people, but shorter daylight, cold nights and some huts closing mid to late September.
Bring
- Down jacket for cold evenings
- Headlamp for early starts
- Check hut closing dates
Be ready for
Bear country
Store food in a bear canister or locker, cook away from your tent, and carry bear spray where rangers recommend it.
Navigation
Paths can be faint or disappear in mist. Carry an offline map on your phone and a paper map, and know how to use them.
Afternoon storms
Thunderstorms often build after midday in summer. Start early, cross passes and summits before noon, and never shelter under lone trees or on ridges.
What you'll see
7 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Făgăraș Ridge Traverse
Photo credits: Moldoveanu Peak Romania by MIHAIL, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Negoiu by Civilistul at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Viştea Mare taken from Moldoveanu by This image is a work by Mercy. When reusing, please credit me as: Mercy from Wikimedia Commons. I would appreciate being notified if you use my work outside Wikimedia. Do not copy this image illegally by ignoring the terms of the license below, as it is not in the public domain. If you would like special permission to use, license, or purchase the image please contact me to negotiate terms. More of my work can be found in my personal gallery., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Fagaraš by Draceane, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; From Negoiu Peak by Horia Varlan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Moldoveanu and Viștea Mare peaks, Făgăraș Mountains, Romania - Flickr - xulescu g by xulescu_g, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Vf. Laita(2397m) - panoramio by Cioboata Andrei, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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