Peleaga
2,509 m
Romania
Also known as Пеляга, პელიაგა, +1Also known as
Пеляга · პელიაგა · Vârful Peleaga
- Elevation
- 2,509 m
- Prominence
- 1,759 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 2
Routes
2The shortest ascent, from the end of the forest road at Gura Bucurii in the south: up the Bucura valley to Romania's largest glacial lake and the Salvamont refuge (2,041 m), then the yellow-cross path through Căldarea Berbecilor and over granite blocks and slabs on the Peleaga spur. About 900 m of ascent, 3–4 hours up.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 4.7 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +887 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,509 m
- Time Up
- 3h 33m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 22m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Drive the rough forest road from the Gura Apelor dam to its end at Gura Bucurii (about 20 km, 1–1½ hours; high-clearance vehicle advised, open roughly mid-May to mid-November). Cross the Pelegii stream on a footbridge to the Poiana Pelegii campsite and Salvamont refuge (1,633 m, 15 minutes). Follow the blue stripe together with the red cross up the Bucura valley, first through forest and then dwarf pine over a series of glacial steps, to Lacul Bucura and the Salvamont Bucura refuge at 2,041 m (1½–2 hours). From the spring by the refuge take the yellow cross into Căldarea Berbecilor, the cirque below Peleaga, past a small tarn and along the Berbecilor stream (last water). The path then turns right and climbs steeply in zigzags among boulders to the Peleaga spur, where it turns left and follows lichen-covered granite slabs to the summit; the marks are harder to see on this upper section. The park gives 1–2 hours for the 2.2 km and 462 m from the lake. Descend the same way, or make a loop: continue north-east to Șaua Pelegii (2,285 m) and drop on the blue-dot path past Lacul Peleaga (Ghimpele) and down the Pelegii valley back to Poiana Pelegii — the park's official circuit, about 8 hours and 1,000 m of ascent including the detour to Lacul Bucura. Many parties camp at Bucura or Poiana Pelegii and combine Peleaga with Păpușa (2,508 m).
Start
Refugiul Salvamont Poiana Pelegii1,618 m
- None to the trailhead. The nearest towns are Hațeg and Petroșani; from there a car (preferably high-clearance) or an arranged transfer via the Gura Apelor dam is needed.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Refugiul Salvamont Poiana Pelegii → Peleaga | 4.7 | 887 | 0 | 3h 33m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Refugiul Salvamont Poiana Pelegii1,618 m
15 minutes from the road end and parking at Gura Bucurii; designated campsite
- Hut: Refugiul Salvamont Bucura2,044 m
On the shore of Lacul Bucura; emergency use only, campsite nearby
- Summit: Peleaga2,509 m
Key Passages
- Glacial steps in the Bucura valley
- Steep zigzags among boulders out of Căldarea Berbecilor
- Granite slabs on the Peleaga spur
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
The highest summit of the Retezat Mountains (2,509 m), a granite pyramid above the Bucura cirque and Romania's largest glacial lake, in the country's oldest national park. A non-technical but rocky walk, usually done from a camp at Lacul Bucura or Poiana Pelegii.
Peleaga rises at the heart of the Retezat Mountains in the Southern Carpathians, inside Retezat National Park, Romania's first national park. It overtops its neighbour Păpușa (2,508 m) by a single metre, and the panorama takes in the jagged Retezat ridges, the Bucura cirque with its many glacial lakes — Lacul Bucura is the largest glacial lake in Romania — and the Valea Rea cirque to the north. With 1,759 m of prominence it is one of Europe's ultras.
The mountain is built of granite, and the upper slopes are boulders and lichen-covered slabs rather than grass. Marked paths reach it from all sides: the shortest is from the south, from Poiana Pelegii at the end of a long forest road, via Lacul Bucura (3–4 hours up); the northern approach from Cârnic via Cabana Gențiana and Curmătura Bucurei is longer and often split over two days. None of the marked routes needs climbing gear in summer.
Retezat is a wilderness by Romanian standards: there are no huts above the treeline, the Salvamont refuges are for emergencies only and camping is restricted to designated sites. Bears, chamois and marmots live in the park.
Climbing Notes
In summer Peleaga is a long hiking day rather than a climb. From Poiana Pelegii allow 3–4 hours up and 2 hours down; the official park loop via Lacul Bucura, the summit, Șaua Pelegii and the Pelegii valley takes about 8 hours with 1,000 m of ascent. From the north (Cârnic) allow a full day or two. Carry water from the Berbecilor stream; there is none higher up.
Most visitors camp: tents are allowed only at designated sites such as Poiana Pelegii, Lacul Bucura, Pietrele and Cârnic, and the Salvamont refuges can be used only in emergencies with Salvamont's agreement. Cabana Pietrele and Cabana Gențiana on the north side are the only staffed accommodation near the routes. Buy the park visiting ticket (2 euro plus VAT, valid seven days) before you go.
In winter the Gura Apelor–Gura Bucurii forest road is closed, the southern route is officially closed in winter and the northern one is blocked by a cornice below Curmătura Bucurei; winter ascents are for experienced winter mountaineers with avalanche knowledge.
History
Retezat National Park was founded in 1935 on the initiative of the botanist Alexandru Borza and the biologist Emil Racoviță, making it Romania's first national park; before that the area was a royal chamois-hunting reserve. It is now administered by Romsilva and overlaps Natura 2000 sites. No reliable information on the first ascent of Peleaga was found.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Not advisable
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter mountaineering only; forest road to Gura Bucurii closed
- Feb
- Winter conditions, avalanche risk
- Mar
- Winter conditions; ski-touring for experienced parties
- Apr
- Deep snow, avalanche risk
- May
- Snow in the cirques; forest road opens around mid-May depending on weather
- Jun
- Snow patches in Căldarea Berbecilor and below the cols
- Jul
- Main season; afternoon thunderstorms
- Aug
- Main season; busy campsites at Bucura
- Sep
- Often stable weather and fewer people
- Oct
- First snow likely; short days
- Nov
- Winter conditions; forest road closes around mid-November
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Permits
- Retezat National Park visiting ticketRequired
Visitors must pay the park visiting fee: 2 euro plus VAT per person, valid for seven days. Pay by SMS to 7494 (code PNR1 for one ticket), online via Easy2Visit or to park staff at the main entry points; keep the confirmation SMS for inspections.
retezat.ro
- Hut Booking
- The park administration does not take bookings; contact Cabana Pietrele and Cabana Gențiana directly.
- Fees
- Retezat National Park visiting ticket: 2 euro plus VAT per person, valid seven days
- Rules
- Retezat National Park: walking only on marked trails; camping only at designated sites (including Poiana Pelegii, Lacul Bucura, Pietrele, Cârnic, Gura Zlata and Lacul Zănoaga); no open fires (stoves only); no bikes or motor vehicles on footpaths; dogs on a lead
- Salvamont refuges at Poiana Pelegii and Bucura are staffed by rescue teams in summer and may be used by visitors only in exceptional circumstances with Salvamont's agreement
- Swimming and boats are prohibited in the glacial lakes
- The Gura Apelor–Gura Bucurii forest road is open, weather permitting, only from about mid-May to mid-November
- Getting There
Hațeg (north side) or Petroșani
Timișoara (TSR) or Sibiu (SBZ)
- South (Poiana Pelegii): from the DN68 Hațeg–Caransebeș road via Râu de Mori to the Gura Apelor dam, then about 20 km of rough forest road to Gura Bucurii (1–1½ hours; high-clearance vehicle recommended)
- North (Cârnic): from Hațeg via Ohaba de sub Piatră, Sălașu de Sus and Nucșoara to the Cârnic car park; no public transport to the trailhead
Hazards
- Weather
- Avalanche
- Remoteness
Huts & Shelters
4- 1,480 m
Cabana PietreleHut
- 1,633 m
Refugiul Salvamont Poiana PelegiiRefuge
Salvamont post in summer; emergency use only
- 1,670 m
Cabana GențianaHut
- 2,041 m
Refugiul Salvamont BucuraRefuge
Salvamont post in summer; emergency use only