Cabana Zugreni – Bogolin Peak – Pietrosul Peak – Poiana Prislopului – Poiana Șandru – Busuiocului Peak – Piatra Tăieturii Monastery – Dealu Vânăt Peak – Păltiniș

What the walking is like

The main ridge of the Bistrița Mountains, from the Zugreni Gorge to Păltiniș, over Pietrosul Bistriței. Two days with a tent; the Zugreni – Pietrosul leg is the hardest, with steep slopes. A wild trail, with many sheepfolds and poor waymarking in the south.

What we'd tell you at the gate

• Waymark: red stripe along the whole ridge (confirmed by Salvamont Suceava and the mountain guides); the 2016 county guide didn't list it.
• The start, from Zugreni: an exposed ledge and the crossing of the old rafting dam over the Bistrița, with chains fitted by Salvamont; the difficulty remains high.
• No water on the trail until Șaua Izvorul Rău: at least 2 l per person.
• Vipers on the crags and sheepdogs: high boots, trekking poles, calm.
• Branches off the ridge: red triangle to Rusca (Șaua Izvorul Rău), yellow stripe to Ortoaia, blue cross to Cozănești.

Not to miss on the way

• 1

  The Zugreni Gorge and the Pietrosul massif are nature reserves and part of the “Pietrosul Broștenilor – Cheile Zugrenilor” Natura 2000 site, with bear, wolf, lynx, capercaillie and golden eagle among the protected species.

• 2

  The Zugreni Gorge is a geological reserve: walls over 200 m, with the road and the river squeezed between them.

• 3

  There is no hut on the ridge; camping is allowed, and the Piatra Tăieturii hermitage, in the south, has road access from Panaci and Bârnar.

What else you can do on the trail

• Ice climbing in winter, in the Zugreni Gorge and at the Moara Dracului waterfall (Bistrița).
• Sport fishing on the Bistrița, with a permit.
• Rafting and kayaking on the Bistrița, at Crucea.

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

A multi-day linear trail: the time is for the whole route A → B, in two or three stages, with a tent or with guesthouses in the villages along the way. The duration is the one in Suceava County's official guide (Salvamont); the kilometres and driving minutes to the trailhead are from Google Maps.

• 14–16 hoursone way, A to B, at your usual pace
• n/aback the same way (estimate)
• 14–16 hoursout and back, with short breaks
• 21–24 hoursone way, if you stop for photos and eat on the grass
• 24–29 hoursone way, with children, grandparents or a pack full of “just in case”