EASY WINTER HIKE TO CURMATURA CABIN THROUGH ZARNESTI GORGES
We chose to do the hike to the Curmatura Cabin at the end of December, after a few days of heavy snowfall in Zarnesti Gorges area. You would say that there is no perfect day to hike, especially in winter. With the climate changes in the recent years, when you don't really know what kind of weather to expect, it's harder to figure out when it's best to hit the trails. Most of the time, even weather forecast apps don't give you much indication of the temperature. That's why you have to be prepared for any type of weather on the mountain. I can say that this time I was lucky with the perfect winter weather. I couldn't have hiked this route on a more suitable day and this aspect was influenced by the sunny day and the abundant snow. I have no words to describe the fairytale beauty of the landscape and honestly I don't even know if photos can do it instead of words.
Piatra Craiului are my favorite mountains for hiking, but somehow I had never made it to the Curmatura Cabin, one of the most popular cabins in Romania. Who would have thought that my first visit here would be in winter?
In this article, I provide you with all the necessary information for completing the circuit hike, through the Zarnesti Gorges to Curmatura Cabin.
HOW TO REACH THE ENTRANCE OF THE HIKE TO CURMATURA CABIN THROUGH ZARNESTI GORGES
Zarnesti Gorges, as their name suggests, are located near the town of Zarnesti. These gorges represent the first part of the route.
From Zarnesti, using Google Maps or any other navigator, you can reach the entrance of the hike, if you set the Zarnesti Gorges as your destination. The hike officially starts from the Botorog Fountain, from where you have to walk a little to the barrier at the entrance to the gorge.
I recommend parking near the Botorog Fountain and not driving too far towards the barrier. The road is very narrow and if it is crowded (as it usually is), it will be quite difficult to turn back. If you arrive early in the morning, you will find enough free spaces right in the parking by the fountain.
ABOUT THE ROUTE THROUGH ZARNESTI GORGES TO CURMATURA CABIN
Trail marking: blue stripe through the Zarnesti Gorges - yellow dot on the ascent path - blue line on the return route (details below);
Round trip duration: 5 hours;
Difficulty: easy;
Required equipment: waterproof boots, trekking poles and steel crampons (don't go hiking without them in winter)
The hike starts from the Botorog Fountain and continues through the Zarnesti Ravines. This part of the route is very easy to follow, with no differences in level, or at least I perceived it as an almost imperceptible climb. For a large part of the way, the marking that we follow, the blue line, is common with the red cross marking. The latter climbs to the left, and we continue to move forward on the forest road.
After about an hour of walking through the gorge, it is time to start climbing to the right. For the climb we have two options. The first option is following the yellow dot marking, where the road is longer, but the climb is quite smooth, or continuing to follow the blue band marking, where the route is slightly shorter, but the climb is steep, being quite steep in the first 45 minutes.
We had no idea which path to choose and in the end we decided to follow the yellow dot marking. We realized that we had chosen the right path to climb only on the way down, when we saw how steep the path marked with the blue line was and we could compare.
So, continuing on the path marked with a yellow dot, we climb through the forest. The route offers us a break from time to time, so we don't have to climb continuously. We covered this section in about an hour.
Although we also enjoyed walking through the forest, the beauty of the landscape is truly revealed when we enter the deforested area. The splendor of the meadows, in our case white, with lots of snow, the mountains surrounding them and the streams that made small valleys through the snow completely conquered me. I felt like I was in a fairy tale setting, and I say this without exaggerating at all.
Passing these paradisiacal settings, from which I had a hard time letting go, from here we still have to climb, according to the signs, for about 20 minutes. Fortunately for me, there is a climb through other clearings, absolutely gorgeous ones too. In the last part of the hike, two dogs joined us, probably belonging to the nearby sheepfold, they were very cute.
The view from the Curmatura Cabin is no less spectacular. Having a sunny day, we didn't hesitate to take advantage of the benches at the cabin, especially since we had quite a bit of free time and found a table outside, where we could enjoy an apple pie.
Curmatura Cabin offers both accommodation and food. Being a mountain cabin, not very easily accessible, the dishes are limited, and the food is neither the most delicious nor the freshest. This aspect is perfectly understandable, so if you want to be sure that you eat something, bring your own food, especially if you know that there is no flow of tourists during the period you go and you risk that the food will be cooked many days in advance and wait for days in the refrigerator before being served. I tell you from experience, considering that in addition to the pie, I had also ordered a soup that I could not eat. I don't know if it's because I'm too picky, or it was spoiled.
The interior, where the dining room is located, is very rustic and has a welcoming feel. I liked it a lot and was pleasantly surprised. Compared to Malaiesti Cabin, this cottage is much more beautiful and well-kept.
After recharging our batteries, we set off on the return route. We followed the path we came on until the intersection with the one marked with a blue line, which we followed for the descent. After a short, short climb, there is a portion of easy walking through the forest. The last 45 minutes on this path, until the exit into the Zarnesti Gorges, were represented by a rather steep descent.
Obviously, for the return route you can choose the entire route marked with a yellow dot. We wanted to discover the other path as well.
WHERE DO YOU STAY NEAR THE ZARNESTI GORGES?
Among the options listed on Booking, the ones that caught my attention are:
Pensiunea Magura - accommodation unit located in the village of Magura, which has both two-bedroom apartments and double rooms. It has its own parking and its own restaurant;
Vila Hora cu Brazi - accommodation unit located in Zarnesti, which has double rooms. It has its own parking and its own restaurant;
Casa de sub Horă - villa-type accommodation unit, with 3 bedrooms, which can accommodate up to 6 people. It is rented in its entirety and is ideal for families or groups.
CONCLUSIONS ABOUT THE HIKE TO THE CURMATURA CABIN
The hike to the Curmatura Chalet through the Zarnesti Ravines was the most beautiful route I have taken this winter. It is a hike that can be done by anyone, of any age. I met both small and big children, as well as elderly people on the route. Hiking is, in my point of view, the most beautiful way to do workout and enjoy nature at the same time. The route does not have exposed or dangerous areas, requires a minimum of equipment and is quite popular and frequented, so meeting a bear is very unlikely.
I hope that by sharing my experience on this route, I can inspire you to go for a walk :).
Read about other easier or harder hikes, but equally beautiful and spectacular: the route through the Bicajel Gorges, the hike to Lake Scropoasa, the winter-accessible hike to Susai Cabin, the hike to Balea Waterfall, the hike to Moara Dracului Waterfall or the hike to Culmea Pricopanului in the Macin Mountains.
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