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Hobița  — Retezat Peak, via Peleaga

Start: Hobița
Range: Retezat Mountains
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35.3 kmLength
2 905 mAscent
959 mDescent
2 509 mMax. altitude
533 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 Hobița – Peleaga – Retezat Peak. Has red marking (local route). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).

Marked local tourist route. Marking is red, sign — vertical stripe on a white background. Length of the route — 35.3 km. Location: mountain range — Retezat, Romania. The route passes through Retezat National Park. Visiting the park is paid: according to the administration, a ticket costs 10 lei and is valid for 7 days (it can be purchased at bilete.retezat.ro). Walking is allowed only on marked trails, open fires are prohibited, and dogs must be kept on a leash.

At a glance

A multi-day route of 35.3 km with 2,905 m of ascent from Hobița to Retezat Peak. Estimated time: 2 days of 6–7 h of walking (about 13.5 h in total, not counting stops). Difficulty: hard. 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: 35.3 km ÷ 4 = 8.8 h + 2,905 m ÷ 600 = 4.8 h, about 13.5 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

  1. 0–29 kmClimb of 1,900 m to Păpușa (2,508 m)
  2. 29–35 kmAlong the ridge at 2,210–2,470 m, past Peleaga, Bucura, Retezat Peak

Steepest kilometre: km 34–35, a climb of 230 m (≈24%), near Retezatului Saddle.

Water and overnight stays

A spring near the trail: at km 30. There are no springs between km 0 and 30 — carry at least 6 l of water.

A possible split into days:

  1. Day 1: km 0–19, ≈7 h — overnight: no shelter nearby on the map, bring a tent
  2. Day 2: km 19–35, ≈7 h — finish

When to go

Best time: June to September. In winter only for experienced hikers with proper gear: avalanche danger is possible. About 20 km of the route runs above 1,500 m, where the weather changes quickly — check the forecast.

Getting there

Start: Hobița. This is a one-way route: the finish is 21 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 time: 2 days of 6–7 h of walking (about 13.5 h in total, not counting stops).
Is there water on the route?
A spring near the trail: at km 30. There are no springs between km 0 and 30 — carry at least 6 l of water.

Water and shelter on the route

  1. Spring below Peleagakm 29.6 from the start · 200 m off the path · Not verified · 2 225 m

All springs of the CarpathiansAll Carpathian huts

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

Wildlife along the route

All
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.
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.
White-throated dipperIn season nowWhite-throated dipperCinclus cinclusA bird of mountain streams with a white 'bib' that dives and runs along the bottom against the current. It can be seen all year round.
European beechEuropean beechFagus sylvaticaA tree with light gray smooth bark that forms the Carpathian primeval forests — a UNESCO World Heritage site. It grows up to a height of about 1400 m.
Fire salamanderRed Data Book of UkraineFire salamanderSalamandra salamandraThe black salamander with yellow spots emerges in the beech forests of the Carpathians after rain. It is a vulnerable species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.
Viviparous lizardViviparous lizardZootoca viviparaA small lizard that gives birth to live young and therefore lives even on the cold polonynas of the Carpathians.

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

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