Tarcu Mountains – Holiday Easy Hiking

Less words, more pictures! Tarcu Peak for Christmas since we badly felt the urge of leaving the urban areas and heading straight up into the mountains where people are rarely in a hurry to get anywhere and where the holiday spirit is simple, pure and does not revolve around material things. So we packed our gear and went straight up to enjoy the view, to get rid of some excess energy and to simply breathe the pure mountain air! Who needs Christmas laziness for Christmas?

Distance

22 Km

Total Time

9h 30 min

Active Time

8 h 42 min

Vertical Relief

+1134 / -1134 m

Min/Max Altitude

1234- 2190 m

Average Speed

2.4 km/h

Hike to Tarcu Peak

Our destination for this adventure was Țarcu Peak because we really like this mountain (even though we are starting to know the hike inside-out) and because we know that this place will always amaze us regardless of how many visits we perform.

Nature has a funny and powerful way of working on your soul because nothing will get rid of your problems more effectively then the bitter sweet fatigue and the end of a long hike during which your only concern is to: admire the sights around, take big breaths of fresh cold air and to leave your thoughts to wonder about.

Mountains aren’t simply land forms, they are sacred places that shape you from within and that invite you to surpass your current condition and to focus on the good things in life, the ones that truly matter. Here, far away from the noisy cities and the hubbub of modern life, we are free to think with our hearths and to re-calibrate our reason.

Whenever we hike, regardless of how easy or hard it is, we seem to find ourselves more motivated, more inspired, more at ease and much more happier than any other time and I think this is one of the main reasons we enjoy each others company so much 🙂

So this is how we spent the day on Tarcu’s ridge under a warm Christmasy sun. We hiked, shared memories, took photos of the mountains and of the night sky, we ice “skated” – more or less – and most importantly we let ourselves be engulfed by the magic of the mountain!

• Caleanu and Brusturu Peaks – Poiana Marului: 17 km, – 1500 m altitude difference
• Saua Suculetului – go towards Godeanu Mountains (a different range): 18 km, altitude difference of +900m / – 500m.
• Saua Iepii – Gura Apelor Lake (Retezat National Park): 20 km, altitude difference + 400 gain / -1400 m loss
• Nedeia (also called Matania) Peak – Poiana Marului: 23 km, altitude difference – 1800 / + 400 m

GPS track to Tarcu Peak

How to get to Tarcu Peak?

Where to sleep?

This is a one day hike so there is no particular need to find a nice place to sleep, nevertheless if you plan ahead for multiple routes and stay more days I will further advise you where the best spots are and what options you have. In this area, you won’t find any camping but you can pick your place to camp free of charge wherever you feel like it, but note that there are no showers or toilets available.

There is a possibility to find a warm bed ( at around 5€/ person/night) at Cuntu meteo station as well but places are limited and you might not find one. You can call before to ask for a place and other details at +4 0720 610 204. Also, note that here there’s only a hut with no restaurant or bar available.

Good places to sleep by tent:

• Cuntu Meteo Station: the forest is near (for shade) and you can find a permanent spring water source there.
• Tarcu Iezer: right under Tarcu Peak, you can find spring water to drink there.
• Suculetu Lake: under Caleanu Peak.
• Pietrele Albe Lake: between Caleanu Peak and Nedeia (Matania) Peak (on the right side as you go).
• Somewhere in Saua Iepii, probably an excellent spot to catch the sunset and sunrise.
• Under Brusturu Peak, there is a big private mountain cabin and there you can also find a spring.At Lake Poiana Marului.

Good to know

Hope you found the information helpful and accurate, but remember, if you have any questions drop them in a comment below!

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