The first day, and the gentlest in the whole land. You set off from Putna Monastery, walk a kilometre or so of tarmac to the town hall, turn right to the small bridge at the edge of the village and take the gravel road. From the bridge the blue-cross waymark picks you up and stays with you, alongside the VT mark, all the way to Sucevița.
Then four kilometres of forest road up the Putnișoara valley, to the Strujinoasa brook. There you leave the road on a path bearing slightly left: a steep climb begins through dense forest, in sharp contrast to how gentle it has been. Past the crest the way drops between two springs, one left, one right, among fallen and felled trees. Where the two meet is the place to stop. Then muddy paths until the forest road, which carries you another four kilometres into the centre of Sucevița.
There is another way, variant B: two kilometres longer and twice as hard, but more beautiful. Look for lodging as close to Poiana Mărului as you can: the next day starts there, and from the centre of Sucevița to the start point you have some three kilometres of tarmac for nothing.
Putna → Sucevița · 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.
Arhondaric “Mitropolit Visarion Puiu”, 0756 639 606 (Father Isaac), and Arhondaric St Nicholas, 0758 607 794 (Father Gherasim). Price: donation. All year, with notice between 9:00 and 19:00, Monday to Saturday.
22 beds, 60 lei per person, breakfast and dinner on request. All year, with notice: 0747 771 341.
46 beds, double and triple rooms and an apartment. 0742 398 200 or 0752 543 770.
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.
You buy the booklet at Putna, from the museum inside the monastery grounds or from Beautiful Market, the shop at the petrol station opposite the entrance. The stage stamp you collect on arrival, in Sucevița.
The first foundation of Stephen the Great, finished in 1469, called by the poet Eminescu “the Jerusalem of the Romanian people”. The voivode's tomb is here. Large Orthodox pilgrimages on 2 July and 15 August.
A kilometre from the monastery: a grotto dug by hand into the rock, where tradition says the hermit lived before Putna was built.
The oldest surviving wooden church in Moldavia, from the fourteenth century, moved to Putna by Stephen the Great.
A foundation of the Movilă family, from the end of the sixteenth century. The green of its exterior painting and the Ladder of Virtues make it unmistakable.
Mănăstirile de pe etapă
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 commission. Self check-in, late check-out when possible and free cancellation up to seven days before.
Via Transilvanica