Wander & Wonder

For the adventurous and experienced hiker, the Bucegi Mountains in Romania offer a challenging yet immensely rewarding hike to the iconic Heroes’ Cross, one of the largest crosses in the world located at 2,291 meters which serves to commemorate the Romanian soldiers of WWI.

This is definitely one of the most difficult (and I will not lie, slightly dangerous) trails I have done. I was actually really surprised by how many people were doing this trail, especially at all the people who did not have any hiking gear (shout-out to the group wearing Converse and Vans). I would highly recommend that you wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring a lot of water for numerous pit-stops along the hike. I would also say that this hike is not for those who have a fear of heights, as the majority of the trail is quite narrow and is lined by a steep drop (with a seemingly never-ending view of the void below). Indeed, along the hike you will see small memorials for those who have fallen off the trail (not to discourage you from doing the hike, but just to keep in mind).

Setting Off to Piata Arta

Starting from the town of Sinaia, we drove about 30 minutes to a parking area in the mountains called Piata Arta. The car ride itself is blissful, with views of green mountains and sounds of cow bells (not to mention the cows themselves). Located in the town of Bușteni, Piata Arta is a convenient starting point for many hikes into the Bucegi Mountains. And not to worry, just because you are getting some of the uphill done by the car, you will not be short of uphill ascents on this hike.

Reaching the Trailhead at Cabana Caraiman

From the parking, follow the only road forward (there will likely be a lot of other tourists doing this hike as this trail is very popular, so you can just follow them if you are unsure). We walked about 40 minutes until we reached the entrance of the Bucegi National Park. Here you will be asked to pay an entrance fee of 10 lei per person. Continuing along the dirt path, you will eventually reach a fork in the road where you can either choose to go to a mountain restaurant called Cabana Caraiman to rest or eat or go forth and begin the hike. We chose the latter option because we knew that if we sat down now, we would have a lot of trouble getting back up.

The Ascent

From this point, the hike is strictly uphill until you reach the cross (which takes roughly 2 hours). The trail becomes steeper and more challenging, with some sections requiring the use of chains and ropes for support. Don’t forget to take breaks to catch your breath and appreciate the stunning views of the valley and cities below.

Reaching Cruce Caraiman

As you approach the summit, the towering Cruce Caraiman comes into view. Tony and I were filled with a great sense of achievement. Since we are also both Christian, something about seeing the cross on top of the mountain really made us emotional. But whether religious or not, the cross is a really striking landmark which highlights influential Romanian history.

Descent back to Piata Arta

To return back to Piata Arta, you take the same trail. Although it is physically less demanding, the rocks do slide more and certain parts can be hard on your knees so take your time! Personally, I found that it was also a bit scarier to descend since you are forced to look down at the view, which sometimes made my stomach turn.

Hiking from Piata Arta to Cruce Caraiman on the difficult trail is a true test of endurance and skill, but I hope I was able to convince you that the rewards are more than worth it.