Mountain trails · Rarău–Giumalău Mountains
Out and back: you go up and down the same path; the time above is one way.
Daylight · Pojorâta · today,
The times are for the starting point. Between ridges the light goes earlier than the clock says, so turn back a good hour before sunset.
Weather · Pojorâta · today,
The forecast is for where you set off. Up on the ridge, count on a few degrees less and on wind you cannot see from below.
What the walking is like
The way in is up the Chilia stream, 2.5 km from the centre of Pojorâta on the road to Rarău: 3 km of forest road, then left through forest to near Chilii Peak. The most accessible route to Giumalău for anyone coming by train.
Mountain trail
Elevation profile
Chilii Peak, at 1,652 m, is the “station” on the ridge between Pojorâta and Giumalău. Sheepfolds settle on the meadow below it in summer; the dogs bark, the shepherds greet you, cheese can be bought.
Giumalău stands at 1,857 m and is the highest peak around; from the top, on a clear day, you count six ranges: Rarău, the Obcini, Rodna, Călimani, Bistrița, Ceahlău. The subalpine meadow on the ridge is thick with blueberries in August.
Flora
Fauna
The species above are those documented in the area by the protected-area administration; what you see depends on season, hour and luck.
The time in the guide is one way; back on the same path, count about two thirds of it. The duration is the one in Suceava County's official guide (Salvamont); the kilometres and driving minutes to the trailhead are from Google Maps.
Sleep at the foot of the mountain
La Cuib is 11 minutes by car from the start of this trail: a fully equipped kitchen that is yours from first light, a place to dry boots, a garden for the evening. Three nights, the whole house, 1.797 lei.
We checked all of this in .
If you liked this one
We checked all of this in .
Once you're back down
The whole house is yours: wet boots by the door, packs in the hall, a late dinner. Parking in the yard and an early start, without waking anyone.
Via Transilvanica