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Câmpu lui Neag  — Lake Bucura, via Buta Hut

Start: Câmpu lui Neag
Range: Retezat Mountains
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20.5 kmLength
1 579 mAscent
325 mDescent
2 052 mMax. altitude
798 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 Câmpu lui Neag – Buta Hut – Lake Bucura. Has red marking (local route). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).

Marked local tourist route. Marking is red, sign — a cross on a white background. Route length — 20.5 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 one-day route of 20.5 km with 1,579 m of ascent from Câmpu lui Neag to Lake Bucura. Estimated walking time: about 7.5 h, 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: 20.5 km ÷ 4 = 5.1 h + 1,579 m ÷ 600 = 2.6 h, about 7.5 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. 0–11 kmGentle ups and downs at 790–1,190 m
  2. 11–16 kmClimb of 700 m to Plaiul Mic Saddle
  3. 16–17 kmDescent of 250 m to Salvamont Poiana Pelegii Hut
  4. 17–20 kmClimb of 430 m to Bucura Salvamont Hut

Steepest kilometre: km 15–16, a climb of 270 m (≈27%), near Salvamont Buta Hut.

Water and overnight stays

Springs near the trail: at km 13, 15, 17, 19 and 20. There are no springs between km 0 and 13 — carry at least 2.5 l of water.

Huts and shelters near the trail: Buta Hut (km 15), Salvamont Buta Hut (km 15), Salvamont Poiana Pelegii Hut (km 17), Bucura Salvamont Hut (km 20).

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: Câmpu lui Neag. This is a one-way route: the finish is 14 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 7.5 h, not counting stops.
Is there water on the route?
Springs near the trail: at km 13, 15, 17, 19 and 20. There are no springs between km 0 and 13 — carry at least 2.5 l of water.
Where can I stay overnight?
Huts and shelters near the trail: Buta Hut (km 15), Salvamont Buta Hut (km 15), Salvamont Poiana Pelegii Hut (km 17), Bucura Salvamont Hut (km 20).

Water and shelter on the route

  1. Spring below Piulekm 13.4 from the start · Not verified · 1 379 m
  2. Buta Hutkm 14.6 from the start · Standing · 1 584 m
  3. Salvamont Buta Hutkm 14.8 from the start · 170 m off the path · Not verified · 1 620 m
  4. Drinking water below Piulekm 14.8 from the start · 140 m off the path · Not verified · 1 619 m
  5. Spring below Păpușa Custuriikm 16.7 from the start · Not verified · 1 718 m
  6. Salvamont Poiana Pelegii Hutkm 17.5 from the start · Not verified · 1 619 m
  7. Spring below Vârful lui Stirb (east slope)km 17.5 from the start · 40 m off the path · Not verified · 1 623 m
  8. Spring below Vârful lui Stirb (north-east slope)km 18.9 from the start · Not verified · 1 819 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.
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.
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.
Common frogCommon frogRana temporariaThe highest-altitude frog of the Carpathians: found from valleys to polonynas and the first to wake up in spring.

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

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