Piatra Fântânele village – Zâmbroaia Peak – Miroslava Peak – Muncel Peak – Heniul Mare Peak – Heniul Mic Peak – Strâmba Pass

What the walking is like

The longest route in the range, a ridge crossing from Piatra Fântânele to the Strâmba Pass, over Heniul Mare and Heniul Mic. The only one officially graded difficult, with complex equipment required.

What we'd tell you at the gate

• The only route in the range officially graded difficult, with complex equipment required.
• Salvamont records the marking as missing on two sections: at the start and between Muncel Peak and the Heniu.

Not to miss on the way

• 1

  The route touches the three highest peaks of the range: Heniul Mare 1,610 m, Miroslava 1,605 m and Muncelul 1,542 m, all volcanic domes that pierced the sedimentary cover.

• 2

  From Heniul Mare, in clear weather, you see the Călimani, the Suhard and the Rodnei, and in late autumn even the Făgăraș.

What grows and what moves along the trail

The species above are those documented in the area by the protected-area administration; what you see depends on season, hour and luck.

How long it takes, honestly

The duration is the one in the annex to the Statute of Bistrița-Năsăud County. Linear route: the duration is for the one-way walk.

• 12 hoursone way, A to B, at your usual pace
• 9 and a half hoursback the same way (estimate)
• 21 and a half hoursout and back, with short breaks
• 18 hoursone way, if you stop for photos and eat on the grass
• one way, with children, grandparents or a pack full of “just in case”