Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the car park by the Botorog spring at the mouth of the gorge, follow the track south-west into the Zărnești gorge, Prăpăstiile Zărneștilor, between limestone walls that close in overhead. Beyond the narrows a marked path climbs north-west through beech forest to the meadow of Curmătura, where the hut looks up at the long limestone ridge of Piatra Craiului. The way back drops more directly through the forest to the car park.
It is 11.1 km round with 605 m of ascent; allow about 4½ hours. The grade is Moderate: a gravel track through the gorge, then steep forest paths.
Piatra Craiului National Park charges a visitor ticket: buy it from the blue machines in Zărnești, at Plaiul Foii, online, or by text message (Pcrai1 to 7473, €2 plus VAT a person for seven days). Brown bears live in these forests, so make some noise and keep food packed away. The park's own carnation grows nowhere else.
The gorge is reached by a road from Zărnești, which has a railway station.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- The Zărnești gorge cuts a narrow limestone canyon into the foot of the Piatra Craiului ridge
- Curmătura hut sits in a high meadow below the ridge, with wide views over the Bârsa country
- Piatra Craiului is a single limestone ridge about 25 km long, protected as a national park
- The park has its own carnation, which grows nowhere else
Getting there
Start: Zărnești, car park by Fântâna lui Botorog. 45.53486, 25.29181
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Zărnești: Booking.com → Expedia →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.