You always need to document and plan a route wherever in this world the mountain is. In doing this you need to take into account a lot of factors which are generally applicable, on any mountain, but also the local factors, such us legislation, climbing culture, local systems, local weather patterns, etc. Here is some basic information you need to take into account when you plan an outdoor hike in the Romanian Carpathians: Where I am allowed to hike and on which trails? Are there any restrictions? In Romanian Carpathians, with some notorious exceptions (like in parks where, in some case, you may be fined), you may wander on any direction of your choosing, with or without a visible trail. Nobody will tell you not to go. Thus being said, when going to the mountains everyone talks, given the level of experience, about going on marcate (marked trails) or nemarcate (unmarked) routes. Marked routes are the ones where you follow a sign for orientation and usually there is already a well-defined trail. Unmarked routes designate all the other paths you may take on the mountain and lack a sign for orientation. Be careful though with these ones: usually they are more difficult and/or they lack a well-defined trail so it is harder to orientate yourself and easier to get lost. All the marked routes should be indicated on a mountain map. Orientation while on the route In Romania is used a system of combinations between colors and geometrical shapes. Thus, during your hikes you will find 12 different signs which are the results of the combinations between red, blue and yellow colors (with a white outer edge) and vertical stripes, triangles and circles. Generally the red stripe stands for main ridge sections of the mountains the other marking connecting routes.
You always need to document and plan a route wherever in this world the mountain is. In doing this you need to take into account a lot of factors which are generally applicable, on any mountain, but also the local factors, such us legislation, climbing culture, local systems, local weather patterns, etc. Here is some
Guesthouses, motels and hotels at the foot of the mountains are not the topic here. You will find them at the foot of every mountain. What we think of interest here is where you would sleep if you go hiking high in the Romanian mountains, summer or winter. Generally we can categorize the accommodation mountain facilities as follows: 1. Mountain huts These are usually situated close to the upper edges of the forests and are very good starting points for higher altitude routes. You should know about them the following: all the huts, with some exceptions (like Omu hut placed at 2500m in Bucegi mountains) are open all year long, including in winter. you will better check before going if all the available places are booked or not so as to spare you of unpleasant surprises. most of them have common bedrooms so you will sleep in the same room with lots of other hikers. they all serve drinks, hot or not, and food. generally, the rooms are heated with wood stoves so some smoke is to be expected but not cold, quite the contrary. you will be provided with blankets so you do not need a sleeping bag but a summer light one might be of help. in most cases you will find the toilets outside and not inside the huts. the evening atmosphere is quite a happy one with usually some guitars playing for fun. in Romanian Carpathians usually there are no early starts on the routes so breakfast is served starting around 8.00 in the morning. 2. Tourist’s Shelters These are permanent wood, fiber or metal constructions which serve as shelters for hikers in bad weather or for the night and are usually to be found high on the mountains. Such shelters are mostly to be found
Guesthouses, motels and hotels at the foot of the mountains are not the topic here. You will find them at the foot of every mountain. What we think of interest here is where you would sleep if you go hiking high in the Romanian mountains, summer or winter. Generally we can categorize the accommodation mountain
Campers are still a privileged species here in Romania. Except some easily identifiable locations, such as reservations and parks - which have their own rules you need to consult beforehand - and private properties, you may raise your tent in just about any location you might consider suitable for you. It does not matter if you raise it in a clearance in the woods, on the valley floor next to a rivulet or on an alpine meadow, camping (summer mainly) is at the heart or Romanian mountain tours. So, feel free to put your tent in your backpack and go about camping! Camping in the vicinity of mountain huts or in parks it is usually allowed and in some cases you may need to pay either a small tent fee or a fee per person. There are though some RULES YOU SHOULD OBSERVE while camping on the mountain. They are rather universal in character: Do not throw the garbage on the mountain and in the water! Carry every waste you produce while on the mountains and bring it down to where special collection facilities are in place. Thus we all can enjoy a clean landscape. Do not cut trees or bushes for the evening fire! Usually you should be able to find dry branches fallen during the last autumn and winter and they are better. If a hearth is already in place do not make another one. Fellow campers go camping because they like being in the wild and to escape the crowded and noisy cities so a noisy city like atmosphere is not at all appropriate. While camping near huts or in the woods, if the camping places are not fence protected, put your food bags in some tall trees around. The dogs won’t steal it and the bears will
Campers are still a privileged species here in Romania. Except some easily identifiable locations, such as reservations and parks – which have their own rules you need to consult beforehand – and private properties, you may raise your tent in just about any location you might consider suitable for you. It does not matter if
