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Bicazu Ardelean – Dochia Hut

Start: Bicazu Ardelean
Range: Ceahlău
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21 kmLength
1 224 mAscent
29 mDescent
1 793 mMax. altitude
570 mMin. altitude

Trail map

Route, springs and shelters: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · elevation: Copernicus DEM © DLR e.V., © Airbus DS · Data & licences

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About the trail

Route Bicazu Ardelean – Dochia Hut. Has blue marking (local route). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).

Marked local tourist route. The marking is blue, the sign is a vertical stripe on a white background. The length of the route is 21 km. Location: mountain range – Ceahlău, Romania. The route passes through Ceahlău National Park. According to park rules, entry is allowed only after paying the entrance fee and only on marked trails; tents are set up in designated areas, dogs must be kept on a leash, and campfires are prohibited.

At a glance

A one-day route of 21 km with 1,224 m of ascent from Bicazu Ardelean to Dochia Hut. Estimated walking time: about 7.5 h, not counting stops. Difficulty: hard. Waymarking: blue.

How we estimate walking time

By Naismith's rule, used by mountain clubs and guidebooks: an average hiker walks 4 km an hour on the flat and needs one more hour for every 600 m of ascent. For this trail: 21 km ÷ 4 = 5.3 h + 1,224 m ÷ 600 = 2 h, about 7.5 h of walking in total.

  • Breaks, snacks and photos: add 20–30 %.
  • A heavy pack, children, snow, a wet path or windfall add more; a long steep descent also takes time, especially for the knees.
  • The height of the Carpathians (up to 2,655 m) hardly changes the pace — on the ridges wind, fog and weather slow you down.
  • Limits: up to 9 h is one day; 9–13 h is a very long day or two; over 13 h means several days with overnight stays.

Route stages

  1. 0–13 kmGentle ups and downs at 570–960 m
  2. 13–19 kmClimb of 750 m to La Pălărie Saddle
  3. 19–21 kmAlong the ridge at 1,700–1,800 m, past Curmătura Picioru Șchiop

Steepest kilometre: km 18–19, a climb of 260 m (≈26%), near La Pălărie Saddle.

Water and overnight stays

Springs near the trail: at km 10, 19 and 20. There are no springs between km 0 and 10 — carry at least 1.5 l of water. Some springs run low or dry up in late summer.

Huts and shelters near the trail: Hut below Stănca lui Cerbu (km 21), Dochia Hut (km 21).

When to go

Best time: June to September. In winter only for experienced hikers with proper gear: avalanche danger is possible. About 3 km of the route runs above 1,500 m, where the weather changes quickly — check the forecast.

Getting there

Start: Bicazu Ardelean. This is a one-way route: the finish is 13 km from the start in a straight line, so plan your way back in advance.

Directions to the start in Google Maps

FAQ

How long does the route take?
Estimated walking time: about 7.5 h, not counting stops.
Is there water on the route?
Springs near the trail: at km 10, 19 and 20. There are no springs between km 0 and 10 — carry at least 1.5 l of water. Some springs run low or dry up in late summer.
Where can I stay overnight?
Huts and shelters near the trail: Hut below Stănca lui Cerbu (km 21), Dochia Hut (km 21).

Water and shelter on the route

  1. Spring below Bâtca Rotundăkm 10 from the start · 120 m off the path · Not verified · 827 m
  2. Spring below La Pălăriekm 18.8 from the start · 120 m off the path · Not verified · 1 504 m
  3. Spring from the Shelf with Hazelkm 20.3 from the start · 260 m off the path · Not verified · 1 614 m
  4. Hut below Stănca lui Cerbukm 20.7 from the start · 140 m off the path · Not verified · 1 721 m
  5. Spring below Stănca lui Cerbukm 20.8 from the start · 100 m off the path · Not verified · 1 751 m
  6. Dochia Hutkm 21 from the start · Standing · 1 750 m

All springs of the CarpathiansAll Carpathian huts

Walk this route in 3DReal terrain, satellite map, Carpathian forests Play

Comments and trail condition

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Wildlife along the route

All
Mountain pineMountain pinePinus mugoMountain pine is a sprawling pine that forms impenetrable krummholz above the tree line. It is impossible to pass through it off the trail.
Spotted nutcrackerIn season nowSpotted nutcrackerNucifraga caryocatactesA brown bird with white spots of the spruce forests that hides thousands of nuts and seeds of the cedar pine — and thus plants the forest.
Black woodpeckerIn season nowBlack woodpeckerDryocopus martiusThe largest woodpecker in Europe, black with a red cap. Its large cavities are later inhabited by owls, pigeons, and bats.
Norway spruceNorway sprucePicea abiesNorway spruce is the main coniferous tree of the Carpathians: a dark sharp crown, prickly needles, and long cones that hang downwards. It grows up to the forest boundary.
Fire salamanderRed Data Book of UkraineFire salamanderSalamandra salamandraThe black salamander with yellow spots emerges in the beech forests of the Carpathians after rain. It is a vulnerable species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.
Viviparous lizardViviparous lizardZootoca viviparaA small lizard that gives birth to live young and therefore lives even on the cold polonynas of the Carpathians.

Based on naturalists’ records nearby (GBIF, iNaturalist), matched by altitude, habitat and season. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Trails nearby

All trails
Izvorul Muntelui Hut – Piatra cu Apă – Dochia HutModerateOne-dayMarkedIzvorul Muntelui Hut Dochia Hutvia Piatra cu ApăElevation profile803–1 767 m5.1 kmascent 963 m≈ 3 h walkingIzvorul Muntelui Hut – Stânca Dochiei – Dochia HutModerateOne-dayMarkedIzvorul Muntelui Hut Dochia Hutvia Stânca DochieiElevation profile803–1 782 m6.2 kmascent 986 m≈ 3 h walkingDurău – Dochia HutModerateOne-dayMarkedDurău Dochia HutElevation profile862–1 803 m6.8 kmascent 992 m≈ 3.5 h walking

Craft nearby

All craft places
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