Via TransilvanicaStage 5 · Pasul Mestecăniș – Vatra Dornei
21 km · 8 hours · moderate · +535 m
21 km · 8 hours · moderate · +535 m
From the Mestecăniș pass you climb slowly, on the red stripe, some three and a half kilometres towards St Panteleimon Monastery. You leave it on your left, pass the Ascension Monastery too, and come to a clearing with several sheepfolds, and so with more dogs.
Beyond it begins a laborious but short climb through the forest, on a path of raw green. At the highest point three waymarks cross: red stripe, red cross and blue stripe. From there you follow the VT alongside the red cross. After a kilometre you reach a glade; at its far end, on the left, the Giumalău opens in all its bulk.
Then you drop through forest and along a forest road, past the signs to the Gigi Ursu cabin, where you can eat, sleep or take water. Three or four kilometres further down there is another spring, on the right. After the Obcina Mică and Obcina Mare summits comes the brutal descent, on a track torn open by rain. Then fields with gates to open and shut behind you, and the first houses of Vatra Dornei.
In rain and wind, the stretch after Obcina Mică and Obcina Mare calls for care: the track is full of craters. The forest is good for mushrooms, so you will meet pickers too.
Pasul Mestecăniș → Vatra Dornei · traseu pietonal
Altitudes in metres. The stage's total ascent is greater than the difference between its ends, because the path climbs and drops several times.
9 beds, 50 lei per person, meals as in a restaurant. Camping with bathroom access: 25 lei per person. Book at least two days ahead: 0752 638 912 (Gabi).
16 beds, 50 lei per person, breakfast on request. 0755 277 954 (Tatiana). Restaurant Șura Brazilor nearby.
Call at least a day ahead. In villages lodging is prepared, not found: your host puts the water on to heat and cooks only if she knows you are coming. Prices change from season to season, so confirm them on the phone.
At the Vatra Dornei tourist information centre, where the kilometre 100 milestone also stands. Some walkers have been given the stamp at Pensiunea Elenuca too.
Built after 1999 at the place called Piciorul Lat, on land given as a dowry to the mayor's aunt, who under communism had wanted to withdraw to a monastery and had not been allowed to.
A reserve of 309.50 hectares, on the eastern side of the massif, Pojorâta commune, with spruces over a century old, sycamore maple, aspen, bilberry, cowberry and dwarf pine. Shelter for bear, red deer, wild boar, lynx, capercaillie and raven.
A spa once visited by kings, for the mineral waters that drew people all the way from Vienna. The Central Park, the Casino and the modern ski slope, all together, with a bittersweet taste.
Neighbouring stages
In two days you will be near us
If you walk Bucovina end to end, Sadova and Fundu Moldovei are on your way. There you can sleep two nights in one place instead of moving your bags every day.
Route, waymarking, ascent, critical spots and lodging data are those published officially by the Tășuleasa Social association, which waymarked and maintains the path.
Book direct
No platform fee, because there is nobody in between. You let yourselves in with a code, you leave late if nobody is coming after you, and if plans change you cancel free up to seven days ahead.