Făgăraș Mountains hut-to-hut hike in September - Advice
Făgăraș Mountains hut-to-hut hike in September - Advice
Hi everyone!
A friend and I are planning a hut-to-hut hike across the Făgăraș Mountains this September. We got the inspiration for the route from another Redditor who shared a similar itinerary, and we'd love to get some local advice before finalising everything.
Our rough plan is:
- Arrive in Bucharest → travel to Brașov and stay overnight
- Brâncoveanu Monastery / Sâmbăta de Sus → Cabana Valea Sâmbetei
- Cabana Valea Sâmbetei → Moldoveanu → Cabana Podragu
- Cabana Podragu → Cabana Bâlea Lac
- Cabana Bâlea Lac → Negoiu → Cabana Negoiu
- Cabana Negoiu → Cabana Suru
- Descend from Cabana Suru and continue towards Sibiu
We won't have a car, so we're planning to rely mainly on trains/buses and public transport, with an on-demand taxi or transfer when necessary.
We have two main questions:
1. What is the best way to get from Bucharest/Brașov to the start of the hike without a car?
Our idea is to travel from Bucharest Airport to Brașov, sleep there, buy any last-minute hiking supplies, and then leave very early the next morning towards Sâmbăta de Sus / Brâncoveanu Monastery.
Does this make sense? What would be the easiest combination of public transport + taxi to reach the trailhead? Or would you recommend staying somewhere else on the first night to make the logistics easier?
2. What is the current situation with Cabana Valea Sâmbetei?
We've read that the hut has been undergoing renovation/reconstruction. Does anyone know if it is currently open and accepting overnight guests?
If it isn't, what would be the best alternative? Would going all the way to Cabana Podragu on the first hiking day be realistic, or would you recommend another hut/place to sleep in that area?
The itinerary is still flexible, so we're very open to changing it based on local knowledge. Any suggestions about the route, huts, public transport, sections we shouldn't underestimate, or alternative stages would be very welcome.
It will be our first time hiking in Romania and we're really looking forward to discovering the Făgăraș Mountains and your beautiful country.
Thanks a lot! 🇷🇴