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Gura Podragului – Șaua dintre Lacuri

Range: Făgăraș Mountains
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5.4 kmLength
995 mAscent
36 mDescent
2 078 mMax. altitude
1 083 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 Gura Podragului – Șaua dintre Lacuri. Has red marking (local route). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).

Marked local tourist route. Marking is red, sign — circle on a white background. Length of the route — 5.4 km. Location: mountain range — Făgăraș, Romania. Făgăraș Ridge is not a national park, but a Natura 2000 protected area "Munții Făgăraș" (ROSCI0122) with its own regulations: walk only on marked paths and take your trash with you.

At a glance

A one-day route of 5.4 km with 995 m of ascent from Gura Podragului to Șaua dintre Lacuri. Estimated walking time: about 3 h, not counting stops. Difficulty: moderate. Waymarking: red.

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: 5.4 km ÷ 4 = 1.3 h + 995 m ÷ 600 = 1.7 h, about 3 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. 0–5.5 kmClimb of 970 m (up to 2,074 m)

Steepest kilometre: km 3.5–4.5, a climb of 410 m (≈41%).

Water and overnight stays

Our map shows no springs near the trail — bring your own water (at least 2 l).

When to go

Best time: June to September. In winter only for experienced hikers with proper gear: avalanche danger is possible.

Getting there

Start: Gura Podragului. This is a one-way route: the finish is 4 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 3 h, not counting stops.
Is there water on the route?
Our map shows no springs near the trail — bring your own water (at least 2 l).
Walk this route in 3DReal terrain, satellite map, Carpathian forests Play

Wildlife along the route

All
Green alderGreen alderAlnus alnobetulaCreeping shrub of the subalpine zone. Together with juniper, it forms krivolissya above the tree line, but prefers wetter and shadier slopes.
Common ravenCommon ravenCorvus coraxThe largest passerine bird, whose deep 'caw-caw' echoes over the polonynas and peaks of the Carpathians.
Coal titCoal titPeriparus aterThe smallest tit of our forests: a black cap with a white spot on the nape. A resident of spruce and fir forests.

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

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