Găina

Găina (Romanian Vârful Găina, Muntele Găina) is a 1,486 m summit, the highest point of the massif of the same name in the central Apuseni Mountains (Western Romanian Carpathians). The massif lies in the Țara Moților region near the commune of Avram Iancu, on the border of Alba and Hunedoara counties. The nearest villages are Giurgești and Rusești (about 3.5–4 km as the crow flies), Căsoaia and Bulzeștii de Sus.

The mountain is famous far beyond Romania not for its height but for a folk festival: every summer it hosts the Maidens' Fair (Târgul de fete de pe Muntele Găina), one of the best-known traditions of the Moți.

How to get there / routes

On the OSM map a short spur marked with a red circle («Deviație spre Vârful Găina») leads to the summit from a nearby waymarked path. The closest villages are a few kilometres away; according to Romanian Wikipedia, the massif lies near the commune of Avram Iancu in Alba County. The sources give no walking times or distances, so plan your route from your chosen village with a detailed map. On fair days many people gather on the mountain.

What you see from the summit

The sources do not describe the panorama. By position, the Bihor massif with the highest Apuseni summit, Cucurbăta Mare, should be visible to the north, surrounded by the forested ridges and scattered hamlets of Țara Moților.

Nature and history

According to Romanian Wikipedia, the fair on Mount Găina was first recorded in 1816. It is held on the Sunday nearest to St Elijah's day (traditionally 20 July); in the past it fell on the first Sunday after the feast of Saints Peter and Paul in the old-style calendar, and with the switch to the Gregorian calendar it moved closer to St Elijah's day. The festival is organised by delegates from the villages of Vidra and Bulzești. Families with daughters of marrying age arrive with tents and display the dowry in carved chests that take years to prepare; farm tools are sold there too. Once a bride is chosen, the couple exchange headscarves, followed by a feast with musicians. Locals believe that a marriage made on Mount Găina brings happiness.

Legends are tied to the mountain as well: one article cited by Romanian Wikipedia retells the story of a fairy who gave golden eggs to young people for happiness and long life. It is folklore, not historical fact.

Safety, season and rules

The best season for the hike is summer and early autumn; in winter snow hides the waymarks and a strong wind blows on the open summit. In summer leave open ground at the first sign of a thunderstorm. On fair days keep an eye on children and agree on a meeting point – it is easy to get separated in the crowd. Salvamont advises not to hike alone, to tell someone your route and to carry a charged phone.

Bears also live in the Apuseni Mountains. Stay on the marked paths, talk as you walk so that an animal hears you in advance, do not hike in the evening or at night and do not keep food in your tent. Sheepdogs near sheepfolds may rush at people – do not run, stop and shield yourself with your rucksack. In an emergency call the national dispatch 0SALVAMONT – 0725 826 668 or 112; advice on animal encounters is on the Salvamont România website.