Mălăiești Hut – Țigănești Saddle
Trail map
Route, springs and shelters: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · elevation: Copernicus DEM © DLR e.V., © Airbus DS · Data & licences
About the trail
Route Mălăiești Hut – Țigănești Saddle. Has yellow marking (local route). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).
Marked local tourist route. The marking is yellow, the sign is a vertical stripe on a white background. The length of the route is 2.8 km. Location: Bucegi Mountain Range, Romania. The route passes through the Bucegi Natural Park. A ticket is required to visit the park: 10 lei for adults for three months, which can be purchased online or from rangers.
At a glance
A short route of 2.8 km with 504 m of ascent from Mălăiești Hut to Țigănești Saddle. Estimated walking time: about 1.5 h, not counting stops. Difficulty: hard. Waymarking: yellow.
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: 2.8 km ÷ 4 = 0.7 h + 504 m ÷ 600 = 0.8 h, about 1.5 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
- 0–0.5 kmClimb of 200 m to Mălăiești Hut
- 0.5–2 kmAlong the ridge at 1,920–2,020 m
- 2–3 kmClimb of 160 m to Țigănești Hut
Steepest kilometre: km 0–1, a climb of 270 m (≈27%), near Mălăiești Salvamont Hut.
Water and overnight stays
A spring near the trail: at km 0. Some springs run low or dry up in late summer.
Huts and shelters near the trail: Mălăiești Hut (km 0), Mălăiești Salvamont Hut (km 0), Țigănești Hut (km 3).
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: Mălăiești Hut. This is a one-way route: the finish is 2 km from the start in a straight line, so plan your way back in advance.
FAQ
- How long does the route take?
- Estimated walking time: about 1.5 h, not counting stops.
- Is there water on the route?
- A spring near the trail: at km 0. Some springs run low or dry up in late summer.
- Where can I stay overnight?
- Huts and shelters near the trail: Mălăiești Hut (km 0), Mălăiești Salvamont Hut (km 0), Țigănești Hut (km 3).
Water and shelter on the route
- Mălăiești Hutkm 0 from the start · Standing · 1 720 m
- Spring below Bucșoiukm 0 from the start · Not verified · 1 694 m
- Mălăiești Salvamont Hutkm 0.1 from the start · Not verified · 1 709 m
- Țigănești Hutkm 2.8 from the start · Not verified · 2 169 m
Wildlife along the route
AllComments
Trails nearby
All trails
ModerateOne-dayMarkedBușteni Mălăiești HutElevation profile887–1 787 m12.1 kmascent 1 031 m≈ 4.5 h walking
HardOne-dayMarkedBran Omu Hutvia Țigănești SaddleElevation profile762–2 505 m15 kmascent 1 847 m≈ 7 h walking
HardOne-dayMarkedBran Omu Hutvia Scara PeakElevation profile762–2 505 m13 kmascent 1 841 m≈ 6.5 h walking