Join us on this exciting hike and become the ultimate explorer. We start our day by experiencing the elevating thrill of conquering two peaks. After our hike is finished, we relax and unwind, by heading to the villages of Cârța and Avrig, where a Cistercian Abbey and a Summer Palace await for us.
Short Description
Overview
Duration: 9 hours
Bus Ride: 160 min
Hiking: 200 min
Difficulty Level: difficult
Level difference: 517m/-517m
Included
– Transport in a comfortable Bus
– Guide for the whole day
– Guided tour in Cârţa and Avrig
– Entrance fee in Cârţa and Avrig
– Brunch in Cârţa
How to book
Group Bookings will be available starting 1st of June 2020.
Individual Bookings will be available starting 1st of August 2020. Please find more details here.
Route
1. Travel by bus to Bâlea Lake
2. Hiking from Bâlea Lake to Iezerul Caprei Peak and Paltinu Peak through Caprei Saddle
3. Bus journey to Carţa
4. Carţa Cistercian Abbey visit
5. Brunch in Carţa
6. Bus journey to Avrig
7. Brukenthal Summer Palace and the Gardens visit
8. Travel by bus to Sibiu
* our hiking track from Bâlea Lake – Iezerul Caprei Peak – Paltinu Peak through Caprei Saddle is not fully displayed on this Google Map. Only the stops accessible by car are displayed. Please view our Interactive Hiking Map for the whole hiking track.
Long Description
From Bâlea Lake we climb to the main ridge of Făgăraș, climbing up to the Caprei Saddle, then passing over the gorges of the Văiuga and Iezerul Caprei Mountains in a hard climb on the serpentine path. It is a fairly demanding route, in an ascent of about 500 m level difference, in about three hours of hiking. The effort will be rewarded by the beautiful perspective on Bâlea Lake and the main ridge. From the Caprei Saddle on a route with a moderate climb, you can reach Iezerul Caprei Peak. On the climb, you can admire Lake Capra. From the peak of Iezerul Caprei are visible the highest peaks of Făgăraș to the East and the West. The tour practically makes a detour of the ridge that shelters Bâlea Lake, offering spectacular views over the lake from different angles and heights.
Bâlea Lake
Capra and Căpriţa Lake
The Cistercian Abbey at Cârța is the only Cistercian Abbey that has been preserved in Romania, being also the most eastern Cistercian construction in Europe. The monastery was built by Cistercian monks from France-Citeaux (Burgundy) at the beginning of the 13th century. It is the first monastery that combines Romanesque style with early Gothic.
The Cistercian Abbey, Cârţa
The Summer Palace of Baron Samuel von Brukenthal (1721-1803), governor of Transylvania, was built between 1780 and 1785 following the model of the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. The baroque building is U-shaped, with a central body and 2 side wings. From the Palace you descend into the Gardens arranged in the Olt meadow. The surface of over 20 hectares was arranged according to the model of the French gardens, with artesian fountains, a splendid staircase and several side alleys, vases, benches, stone statues, and an orangery, where tulips, almonds, walnuts, melons and, pineapples were cultivated.
Samuel von Brukenthal Summer Palace and Gradens – © romanian pixel