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Rodna – Șaua cu Lac

Start: Rodna
Range: Rodna Mountains
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13.5 kmLength
1 639 mAscent
48 mDescent
2 124 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 Rodna – Șaua cu Lac. Has blue marking (local route). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).

Marked local tourist route. The marking is blue, the sign is a circle on a white background. The length of the route is 13.5 km. Location: mountain massif - Rodna, Romania. The route passes through the National Park "Rodna Mountains". Walking is allowed only on marked trails, campfires in the alpine zone and in the forest are prohibited, dogs must be on a leash, tents can only be set up in designated areas.

At a glance

A one-day route of 13.5 km with 1,639 m of ascent from Rodna to Șaua cu Lac. Estimated walking time: about 6 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: 13.5 km ÷ 4 = 3.4 h + 1,639 m ÷ 600 = 2.7 h, about 6 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 860 m (up to 1,408 m)
  2. 6–10 kmGentle ups and downs at 1,400–1,520 m
  3. 10–14 kmClimb of 610 m to Refugiul de sub Ineu

Steepest kilometre: km 12–13, a climb of 230 m (≈23%), near Refugiul de sub Ineu.

Water and overnight stays

Springs near the trail: at km 5, 7, 11 and 14.

Huts and shelters near the trail: Curățel (Ancuța) Hut (km 10), Refugiul de sub Ineu (km 14).

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: Rodna. This is a one-way route: the finish is 12 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 6 h, not counting stops.
Is there water on the route?
Springs near the trail: at km 5, 7, 11 and 14.
Where can I stay overnight?
Huts and shelters near the trail: Curățel (Ancuța) Hut (km 10), Refugiul de sub Ineu (km 14).

Water and shelter on the route

  1. Spring (Valea Vinului), 1 250 mkm 5.3 from the start · Not verified · 1 250 m
  2. Spring (Valea Vinului), 1 430 mkm 6.8 from the start · Not verified · 1 430 m
  3. Curățel (Ancuța) Hutkm 10.4 from the start · Not verified · 1 501 m
  4. Spring (Valea Vinului), 1 501 mkm 10.6 from the start · 120 m off the path · Not verified · 1 501 m
  5. Refugiul de sub Ineukm 13.5 from the start · 170 m off the path · Not verified · 2 150 m
  6. Spring below Ineukm 13.5 from the start · 260 m off the path · Not verified · 2 053 m

All springs of the CarpathiansAll Carpathian huts

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

Wildlife along the route

All
Small tortoiseshellSmall tortoiseshellAglais urticaeA reddish butterfly with black and yellow spots and blue dots along the edges of its wings. It flies from villages to polonynas and hibernates in attics.
Yellow-bellied toadRed Data Book of UkraineYellow-bellied toadBombina variegataA small gray toad with a bright yellow belly lives in the puddles of forest roads in the Carpathians. It is a vulnerable species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.
Dor beetleDor beetleAnoplotrupes stercorosusA black beetle with a blue metallic sheen, seen on forest paths by almost every tourist. A forest sanitary, safe for humans.
Sand lizardSand lizardLacerta agilisThe most common lizard of sunny edges and clearings. In spring, males turn green, while females lay eggs in warm soil.
Water pipitWater pipitAnthus spinolettaA modest bird of the alpine meadows and polonynas that sings during its display flight. In Ukraine, it nests only in the Carpathians.
Alpine accentorRed Data Book of UkraineAlpine accentorPrunella collarisA bird of the highest peaks of the Carpathians, living among rocks and scree at an altitude of 1,600–2,060 m. A vulnerable species in the Red Book of Ukraine.

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

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