Bucșa Peak

Bucșa Peak (Rom. Vârful Bucșa) is a grassy summit at 1,848 m on the ridge connecting the Bucegi Mountains with the Leaota Mountains. It stands on the western section of this link between Muntele Sântilie (Leaota) and Strungile Mari (Bucegi), above the valleys of Brașov County. According to muntii-nostri.ro, the Bărbuețu river rises on the southern slopes here.

The nearest settlements are the village of Moieciu de Sus (about 7.4 km as the crow flies), Fundățica (about 9.1 km), Fundata (about 10.2 km), and Cheia (about 10.4 km). Just below the summit, less than 200 m away, is Spring below Bucșa (south-east slope), and another is Spring below Bucșa (north-east slope). The highest peak of Bucegi, Omu Peak, is about 8 km northeast in a straight line.

Getting there / routes

The shortest ascent is from the Bângăleasa valley (Valea Bângăleasa) above Moieciu de Sus. According to muntii-nostri.ro, the trail marked with a red triangle starts at an abandoned border post at the confluence of the Grohotișu and Bărbulețu valleys, follows the Bărbulețu valley for about 300 m, then climbs steeply up the Bucșa spur: 1–1.5 hours through forest, then along a corridor on the watershed. Around 1,650 m, the trail emerges onto alpine meadows and continues along the watershed to the summit. This is 3.1 km, about 2 hours and 663 m ascent; the route is rated as moderate to difficult, and heavy snow in winter can cause problems.

The longer red stripe route leads to Bucșa from Fundata village: according to muntii-nostri.ro, it climbs the slopes of Muntele Sântilie to the Curmătura Fiarelor saddle (1,794 m), skirts Sfințul Ilie peak (1,888 m), crosses the Dudele saddle, reaches Bucșa, and then via the Bucșa, Strungulița, and Strunga saddles arrives at Padina Hut hut. The total is 20.4 km, about 7 h 45 min, with 1,320 m ascent.

A popular loop from Moieciu de Sus (22 km, 790 m ascent, moderate) is described on the same site: from the barrier, follow the red triangle to Bucșa, then the red stripe to Șaua Strunga Hut and to the Gutzanu meadow, then again by red triangle down to Moieciu. The authors completed it at a relaxed pace in about 9 hours with breaks. There is also a short bypass trail (0.5 km, about 15 min) that skirts the summit from the northwest past the spring.

The view from the top

According to muntii-nostri.ro, these trails offer views of the Grohotiș escarpment (Abruptul Grohotiș) in Bucegi.

Safety, season and rules

In winter, route accessibility depends on snow depth and condition. The ridge is open and treeless: in fog, stick to the markings and check the forecast. If your route enters the Bucegi Natural Park, a ticket is required—10 lei per adult for three months, available online or from rangers (as of last check, see bucegipark.ro). Bears are common in the Romanian Carpathians: stay on marked trails, make noise, avoid dusk, and do not keep food in your tent; near sheepfolds, shepherd dogs may attack—do not run, stop and shield yourself with your backpack (advice from Salvamont România).

In case of emergency, call the national mountain rescue dispatcher 0SALVAMONT — 0725 826 668 or 112.