Negoiu Peak
2,535 m
Romania
Also known as Негою, Negoiu, +4Also known as
Негою · Negoiu · Negoj-csúcs · Monte Negoiu · ნეგოი · Vârful Negoiu, Munții Făgăraș
- Elevation
- 2,535 m
- Prominence
- 421 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Aug–Sep
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Approximate line — not for navigation
An automated check found that parts of this line could not be matched to mapped trails, so it may stray far from the real route. Use it for planning only, with a map and a guidebook.
Why? 2 check notes
- truncated: first waypoint unresolved, ~4.5 km missing
- unresolved waypoints: Porumbacu forest road end
Sources differ: medium difficulty with some demanding sections (Romanian sources) (transfagarasan.travel)
The easiest and fastest way up Romania's second-highest peak: a forest road from Porumbacu de Sus and the blue-triangle path to Cabana Negoiu (1,546 m), then the blue triangle via Piatra Prânzului to the main ridge at Șaua Cleopatrei and the red-stripe ridge, with easy scrambling at the end, to the summit. About 2,000 m of ascent from the road end; usually 2 days with a night at the hut.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- ≈ 3.9 km
- one way
- Ascent
- ≈ +1,033 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,539 m
- Time Up
- ≈ 4h
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- ≈ 2h 41m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From Porumbacu de Jos (railway station on the Sibiu–Brașov line) a paved road leads 5 km to Porumbacu de Sus. Above it a forest road follows the Porumbacu valley for about 16 km past a former marble quarry; ordinary cars are often left about 11 km below the hut, while high-clearance vehicles can reach the confluence of the Șerbota and Sărata streams. From there the blue-triangle path zigzags up through the forest, with suspension footbridges low down, to Cabana Negoiu (1,546 m) on the Piscul Șerbotei: 1–1½ hours from the confluence, 2–3 hours from the quarry. From the hut follow the blue triangle south-east to Piatra Prânzului, then up the steep slopes into the cirque below the main ridge to Șaua Cleopatrei (about 2,355 m), where the red-stripe ridge path is joined. Turn east: the final 30–50 minutes along the ridge end with some easy scrambling to the summit (2,535 m). Allow 3–4 hours from the hut (one 2015 report: 4 h 15 min). Descend the same way. Experienced parties make a loop: up the blue stripe to Vârful Șerbota (2,331 m) and along the chained, exposed Custura Sărății to Șaua Cleopatrei, or down from the summit via Strunga Doamnei (chains) to Lacul Călțun and back over Strunga Ciobanului (chains, loose rock) to Piatra Prânzului; that circuit is about 13 km and 1,600 m of ascent from the hut, 10–13 hours. The Strunga Dracului passage is permanently closed by rockfall. Snow tongues persist in shaded gullies into July; a slip on them is often fatal.
Start
Cabana Negoiu1,542 m
- Train to Porumbacu de Jos or Avrig (Sibiu–Brașov line), then taxi up the forest road as far as it is passable.
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cabana Negoiu → Negoiu | 3.9 | 1,033 | 38 | 4h |
Waypoints
- Hut: Cabana Negoiu1,542 m
- Feature: Piatra Prânzului2,098 m
- Col: Șaua Cleopatrei2,361 m
- Summit: Negoiu2,535 m
Key Passages
- Forest zigzags to Cabana Negoiu
- Steep climb from Piatra Prânzului to Șaua Cleopatrei
- Final scramble along the ridge to the summit
Equipment
0/7 packedDownloads
Route confidence 60%Overview
Romania's second-highest summit (2,535 m), a rocky pyramid at the western end of the high Făgăraș ridge. Reached from the historic Cabana Negoiu by a steep path and a short scramble, or by chained, exposed ridges such as the Custura Sărății.
Negoiu rises in the western part of the Făgăraș Mountains, the highest range of the Southern Carpathians, in Sibiu County. At 2,535 m it is second in Romania only to Moldoveanu, about 14 km to the east along the same ridge, and its prominence is modest (about 420 m) because the two are linked by a high crest. From the north the Șerbota and Sărata valleys climb steeply through forest to Cabana Negoiu, one of the oldest hut sites in the Carpathians; to the south remote glacial cirques such as Călțun hold small lakes.
The summit is a broad rocky top surrounded by some of the most rugged sections of the Făgăraș ridge: the narrow, chained Custura Sărății to the west, and to the east the notches of Strunga Doamnei and Strunga Dracului (the 'Lady's' and 'Devil's' gaps), the latter now permanently closed because of rockfall. The views extend along the whole Făgăraș crest to Moldoveanu and over the Olt valley to the north.
The normal route from Cabana Negoiu is a long, steep walk with a short scramble at the end. The more famous ridge approaches are exposed and protected with chains and cables, and need a good head for heights and sure feet.
Climbing Notes
Plan two days: walk to Cabana Negoiu on day one (2–3 hours from the end of the drivable forest road) and climb the peak on day two (3–4 hours up, 6–7 hours return to the hut, more if descending to the valley the same day). A one-day ascent from Porumbacu de Sus takes 12–14 hours and only suits very fit, experienced hikers. Good fitness and sure-footedness on steep, rocky terrain are required; the chained ridge routes (Custura Sărății, Strunga Doamnei, Strunga Ciobanului) add exposure and loose rock, so wear a helmet.
Go only in settled weather; the ridge is exposed to storms and fog. Frozen snow tongues remain in shaded gullies until July, and Salvamont Sibiu warns that falls on them are often fatal: carry an ice axe and crampons or microspikes and know how to self-arrest. In winter the area is serious avalanche terrain.
Brown bears are common in the Făgăraș forests. The forest road is rough; ordinary cars may have to stop about 11 km below the hut, adding 1–2 hours of walking. Mountain rescue: Salvamont 0725 826 668 or 112.
History
The first hut below Negoiu, funded by the Transylvanian Carpathian Association (SKV), opened in 1881. A later building opened in 1937; the main building was demolished in 1956 and the present Cabana Negoiu was built between 1957 and 1962, and has since been refurbished and enlarged. All Romanian mountain huts were nationalised in 1948. No record of a first ascent of the summit was found.
Season
Best Aug–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Not advisable
- June: Possible
- July: Good
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; avalanche terrain; hut approach possible with winter equipment
- Feb
- Winter conditions
- Mar
- Winter conditions
- Apr
- Spring snow; avalanche risk
- May
- Deep snow on the ridge
- Jun
- Frozen snow tongues in gullies; ice axe and crampons needed
- Jul
- Snow mostly gone by mid-July; thunderstorms
- Aug
- Best season
- Sep
- Stable weather, fewer people
- Oct
- Early snow and ice on the chained sections
- Nov
- Winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Cabana Negoiu: phone 0734 114 401 or via negoiu.ro / facebook.com/negoiu.ro.
- Fees
- Cabana Negoiu: overnight from about 100 lei per person
- Rules
- Strunga Dracului is permanently closed because of rock instability and rockfall; the ridge path detours via Strunga Doamnei (yellow stripe)
- The Porumbacu valley forest road is rough; the last section needs a high-clearance vehicle
- Getting There
Avrig / Porumbacu de Sus
Sibiu (SBZ)
- Train to Porumbacu de Jos or Avrig on the Sibiu–Brașov line
- Taxi from Avrig up the Porumbacu forest road (towards Castelul de Lut Valea Zânelor), as far as the road is passable
- Car: Porumbacu de Sus, then about 16 km of forest road; high clearance needed for the last section
Hazards
- Exposure
- Rockfall
- Weather
- Avalanche
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,546 m
Cabana NegoiuHutStaffed
140 beds · Approach accessible all year; high routes summer only