Stana de Rau shelter
On the track from Stana de Rau shelter to Taul Tapului
Arriving at Taul Tapului (the Goat’s lake)
Enjoying a well deserved rest close to Taul Tapului.
The views from Hornul Tapului pass (the Goat’s Horn pass) are breathtaking. It’s easy to see the rock that gave the pass it’s name.
The upper end of Valea Rea (Bad Valley).
And our destination for today, Papusa peak, at 2508m altitude.
Today’s track takes us from Balea Lac to Negoiu peak. We will pass known points like Laitel peak, Caltun refuge and lake, Strunga Doamnei, The return trip will take a different route, throuh Laitel valley and over Paltinu ridge, in order to avoid a thunderstorm.
Climbing to Saua Doamnei
Laitel peak, 2391m alt, with a nice viewpoint of our destination
Caltun shelter, close to the main track
Caltun lake
On the upper section of Laita valley
Strunga Doamnei, passing from Laita valley to Caldarea Berbecilor
Our target for today, Negoiu peak, at 2535m altitude
The return track takes us back to Caltun shelter, where a passing thunderstorm required we avoid the main ridge.
After the thunderstorm has passed, we stop to admire Paltinu valley
We stopped to enjoy the last rays of sunshine on Paltinu ridge. From here the track takes us back to Balea lake through the Transfagarasan tunnel.
Climbing from Negoiu hut to Serbota peak.
Serbota peak, 2332m
Serbota saddle.
Climbing to Scara peak. Behind us, the ruins of Scara refuge, recenly destroyed.
Scara peak, 2308m.
Garbova vest saddle.
Avrig lake.
Crossing Porumbacelu Valley, on the track from Curmatura to Negoiu huts.
Pietrosul Rodnei, 2303m , highest peak in Rodnei Mountains.
La Mejda pass. In the distance we can spot Iezer Lake, the lake with the same shape as Romania.
Going down on Zanoaga Iezerului towards the lake.
Iezer Lake
The weather station hut.
We left from “refugiul Agatat” early in the morning, and hiked to Parangul Mare peak.
The cross on Rosiile valley.
Passing close to Zanoaga lake.
Higher up we pass close to “lacul Lung” (the Long Lake) and “lacul Rosiile”.
Close to “lacul Mandra” (the Proud lake), the highest lake in Parang mountains at 2148m.
Snow can be found here even in late June.
Finally on Parangul Mare peak, at 2519m altitude.
The starting point of the trip was Voina, an accessible chalet at the base of the Iezer – Papusa mountains (983m).
This is also a good site for camping, if you don’t want to take your equipment with you.
Starting close to the chalet, the track marked with a red stripe takes us, after a steep climp, on the alpine back of mount Vacarea.
Here we are passing close to a sheep farm made entirely out of wood.
The track takes us uphill, and we get a beautiful panorama of the surrounding mountains. We are getting closer to 2000m altitude and we find small bits of snow on the track.
And finally we reach the highest point of our track, the Ateneului Cross (crucea Ateneului) at 2279m. This is an important junction point as several tracks split here.
We will follow the one leading downhill to Iezer lake and the refuge with the same name.
We pass close to Iezer lake (2130m) admiring the beauty of this glacial valley that now surrounds us. Towards the NE we can spot the refuge, where we will have a much deserved rest, after starting our descent towards Voina chalet. (on the track marked with a blue dot).
In this panorama we can explore the surroundings of the beautiful lake Calcescu, in Parang mountains, at 1950m altitude.
Flowing right beside us is the river that fuels this lake. The water comes from Vidal Lake, 200m upstream. You can check Vidal lake here.
We can reach this wild area after a four hour walk trough the woods, starting from Obarsia Lotrului resort. The path is well marked and is not very difficult.
If you happen to be in the Parang mountains, probably speeding on the newly opened Transaplina road, I strongly recommend leaving the car behind to visit this special natural reserve.
Part of Calcescu natural reserve, we can find Lake Vidal at the altitude of 1986m. It is part of the water system fueling lake Calcescu, which is only 500m away to the north.
We can reach this lake from Obarsia Lotrului, following the red ribbon mark, until we reach lake Calcescu, and then climb up along the river side. Estimated time of arrival 3.5 – 4.5 h.
Being a natural reserve, we can find animals like bears, wolves, or black goats, so be on a sharp lookout 🙂