Ask the AI guide:

Pietrele Hut – Retezat Peak

Start: Nucșoara · 9.1 km
Range: Retezat Mountains
Download GPX Send to Telegram
5.9 kmLength
993 mAscent
0 mDescent
2 482 mMax. altitude
1 489 mMin. altitude

Trail map

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

Weather and adviceLoading the forecast…
Warn me about bad weather on TelegramThe bot will message you if the forecast turns dangerous

About the trail

Route Pietrele Hut – Retezat Peak. Has blue marking (local route). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).

Marked local hiking trail. The marking is blue, the sign is a triangle on a white background. The length of the trail is 5.9 km. Location: Retezat Mountain Range, Romania. The trail passes through Retezat National Park. Visiting the park is paid: according to the administration, the ticket costs 10 lei and is valid for 7 days (it can be purchased at bilete.retezat.ro). Hiking is allowed only on marked paths, open fires are prohibited, and dogs must be kept on a leash.

At a glance

A one-day route of 5.9 km with 993 m of ascent from Pietrele Hut to Retezat Peak. Estimated walking time: about 3 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: 5.9 km ÷ 4 = 1.5 h + 993 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. 0–6 kmClimb of 970 m to Retezat Peak (2,482 m)

Steepest kilometre: km 4.5–6, a climb of 340 m (≈33%), near Retezatului Saddle.

Water and overnight stays

Springs near the trail: at km 0, 1.5 and 4.5.

Huts and shelters near the trail: Pietrele Hut (km 0).

When to go

Best time: June to September. In winter only for experienced hikers with proper gear: avalanche danger is possible. About 6 km of the route runs above 1,500 m, where the weather changes quickly — check the forecast.

Getting there

Start: Pietrele Hut. 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?
Springs near the trail: at km 0, 1.5 and 4.5.
Where can I stay overnight?
Huts and shelters near the trail: Pietrele Hut (km 0).

Water and shelter on the route

  1. Pietrele Hutkm 0 from the start · Standing · 1 480 m
  2. Spring below Ciurilă (south-east slope)km 0 from the start · Not verified · 1 493 m
  3. Spring below Lolaia Nord (north-east slope)km 1.4 from the start · Not verified · 1 700 m
  4. Spring below Bucura IIkm 4.4 from the start · Not verified · 2 067 m

All springs of the CarpathiansAll Carpathian huts

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

Wildlife along the route

All
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.
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.
Red crossbillRed crossbillLoxia curvirostraA bird with a crossed bill that extracts seeds from cones. A resident of spruce forests, capable of nesting even in winter.

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

Comments

Share your impressionsSign in to leave a comment or ask a question.Log inSign up

Trails nearby

All trails
Lake Bucura – Bucura Peak – Retezat PeakHardOne-dayMarkedLake Bucura Retezat Peakvia Bucura PeakElevation profile2 073–2 482 m3.8 kmascent 586 m≈ 2 h walkingHobița – Peleaga – Retezat PeakHardTwo-dayMarkedHobița Retezat Peakvia PeleagaElevation profile533–2 509 m35.3 kmascent 2 905 m≈ 13.5 h walkingPietrele Hut – Lake Galeș – Vârful MareHardOne-dayMarkedPietrele Hut Vârful Marevia Lake GaleșElevation profile1 414–2 429 m6.9 kmascent 1 024 m≈ 3.5 h walking