Hike to Omu Peak from Pestera Cable Car Station
MEDIUM DIFFICULTY HIKE TO OMU PEAK STARTING FROM PESTERA CABLE CAR STATION
Omu Peak is certainly one of the most popular mountain peaks in Romania and to reach it there are a multitude of trails, starting from several areas and with various levels of difficulty. Although Omu came to my mind every time I thought about planning a hiking trip, it was never the right time to include it in my plans. I encountered all kinds of impediments related to the weather, but also to the time of year, when there was either too much snow or the day was too short to cover a trail during day time. I found the right moment on a July weekend day, hot in Bucharest, but more than perfect for walking on mountain trails.
Because we wanted to avoid the Prahova Valley due to the crowds, we chose the quieter option, with a climb from the Padina area. We chose this route as a one-day tour, with a morning departure from Bucharest and a return in the same day.
HOW DO YOU GET TO THE TRAIL ENTRANCE?
The route we took and also the one I will tell you about in this article, starts from the Pestera cable car station, located in the Padina - Ialomitei Cave area. In fact, the point that must be set on the navigator is either "Pestera Cable Car" or "Pestera Cable Car Station", the location being the same.
Once you get just a few kilometers of Bolboci Lake, your GPS will direct you to take the road on the left side of the lake; it’s unpaved, but it is a shorter route. Personally, I recommend ignoring that and taking the road on the right instead—it’s in much better condition, even though it’s a bit longer.
Near the cable car station, there is a fairly large and spacious parking area, so there shouldn't be any difficulty in finding a spot to leave your car.
DETAILS FOR THE PESTERA – OMU PEAK CABLE CAR HIKE
Starting point: Pestera cable car station, following the trail next to the parking area behind the cable car station;
Trail marking: blue line;
Duration: approximately 6 hours;
Difficulty: moderate in terms of physical exertion, easy in terms of technical complexity;
Required equipment: hiking boots, hiking clothing, trekking poles, a rain coat, a hiking backpack;
We didn't manage to wake up at the crack of dawn to leave Bucharest, so we arrived at the start of the trail quite late. We began our hike around 10:40 in the morning. The parking lot was fairly busy, but it’s quite spacious, so we managed to find a spot pretty quickly.
There are several trails that start from the same area, but we are looking for the path marked with a blue line. The signpost estimates a 3-hour hike to Omu Chalet, and the ascent took us about that long as well, including short breaks.
The trail is visible and well-marked, passing entirely through alpine meadows. There are no forested areas along this route—meaning no shelter from rain or intense sun—so you must rely entirely on appropriate gear, chosen according to the weather conditions. And speaking of the weather, keep in mind that it can change rapidly in the mountains; checking the forecast beforehand can save you from a lot of trouble.
Our route begins with a short, invigorating incline, followed by a gentle ascent that gives us plenty of time to prepare for what lies ahead. As this is an alpine pasture area, we encountered many cows along this stretch—which, fortunately, ignored us completely.
Not long after, we reach the Obârșia Ialomiței Waterfall, which was nearly dried. The landscape in this area is spectacular, and the views invite us to take a short break before beginning the actual ascent. From this point, a sustained climb follows, succeeded by a short, gentle incline, and then another sustained ascent leading up to the trail junction.
From the trail junction, continue following the blue-stripe trail marker toward the Omu Hut and Omu Peak. This section is an easy ascent, featuring a gentle slope and spectacular views of the Bucegi Mountains. If the weather is clear, you can see Sinaia in the distance.
Around 13:40, we arrived at the mountain hut, and—as expected—the area nearby was extremely crowded. We decided to take a short lunch break; even though we had sandwiches in our backpacks, we opted to order a serving of bean soup each. I regretted the decision from the very first bite—not only was it not fresh, but it was actually sour; they had added vinegar to mask the fact that it was rancid. I’m well aware of how things go with mountain huts and the food served there, but I had hoped it would be different this time. I understand that transporting food to a mountain peak is difficult, but perhaps the solution would be to cook smaller portions... I don’t know—just a thought...
Omu Mountain Hut is the highest-altitude mountain hut in the Carpathian Mountains (2,507 meters); it is open during the summer months, offering both meals and accommodation. Below, I have provided a price list for July 2025.
For the descent, we chose the same route. We also had the option of descending via the Sphinx and Babele, but some rain clouds were gathering, so we hurried down the way we already knew. Fortunately, the rain caught up with us only fifteen minutes away from the parking lot.
OTHER ROUTES TO OMU PEAK
Below, I have listed other route options to Omu Peak—some can be completed as a one-day hike, while others require an overnight stay at the Omu mountain hut or camping on the mountain:
Bran - Stana din Gaura (Sheepfold from the Hole) - Omu Peak - 7-8 hrs;
Bran - Scara Peak - Omu Peak - 7-8 hrs;
Bran - Culmea Tuganesti - Omu Peak - 7 hrs;
Busteni - Pichetul Roșu - La Prepeleac - Bucșoiu Peak - Omu Peak - 7 hrs;
Bușteni - Poiana Cerbului - Omu Peak - 7 hrs - yellow line marking;
Piatra Arsa Cabin - Omu Peak - 4 hrs, 17 km - yellow line marking;
Bușteni - Jepii Mici - Omu Peak - 7 hrs, 12,5 km - blue cross + yellow line marking;
Bușteni - Jepii Mari - Omu Peak - 8 hrs, 16.2 km, - blue triangle + yellow line marking;
WHERE CAN YOU STAY IN THE AREA?
From the options listed on Booking, I’m keeping the ones that caught my eye and have decent ratings:
Hotel Belmont - a 4-star rated accommodation, featuring double rooms or suites. It also offers an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a spa area, a bar, a restaurant, and parking;
Chalet Alpina - accommodation unit featuring double rooms or a house-style layout, available for rent in its entirety and capable of accommodating up to 20 people;
Hotel Pestera - accommodation featuring double rooms, twin rooms, or suites. It offers an indoor pool, a bar, a restaurant, and parking.
CONCLUSIONS REGARDING THE HIKE TO OMU PEAK
Although there are dozens of trails—and combinations of trails—that lead to the highest peak in the Bucegi Mountains, most require more than a single day, making an overnight stay on the mountain necessary. There are very few routes that allow you to return to your starting point within a single day, while it is still light outside; the one I’ve described in this article is among them. While many sources classify it as an "easy" trail, I would personally consider it of medium difficulty, given the steep ascent in the second half. I recommend this hike to any mountain enthusiast with a reasonable level of physical fitness. Also, don’t forget to check the weather forecast before setting out on this trail. We encountered rain, even though there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky when we began our ascent. The weather in the Bucegi Mountains (and in the mountains in general) is highly changeable, so be sure not to leave your raincoat behind.
Read also about other hikes in Romania’s mountains: the Valea lui Stan trail, a hike in the Ciucaș Mountains, or the trail to the Moara Dracului Waterfall.
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