Mountain trails · Rarău–Giumalău Mountains
A linear trail: you start in one place and finish in another. Either walk back the same way, leave a car at the far end or use the train/a transfer; we'll tell you at the gate what works.
Daylight · Vatra Dornei · 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 · Vatra Dornei · 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
Access to Giumalău from the Dorna side: from where the Chilia meets the Bistrița Aurie, past the cemetery, 5 km of forest road up the Chilia valley, a big clearing, spruce forest, then the path climbs to the saddle and over Obcina Mare and Obcina Mică. After 3 km you meet the red stripe from Mestecăniș, towards Giumalău Peak.
Mountain trail
Elevation profile
Worth knowing about the whole range →
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.
A linear trail: the time is one way (A → B). If you return the same way, add about two thirds; or leave a car at the far end / take the train. 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 41 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.
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If you liked this one
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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