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Zlatna – Ighiel

Start: Zlatna
Range: Trascău and Metaliferi Mountains
Hiking routes of the Romanian Carpathians
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35.5 kmLength
1 600 mAscent
1 681 mDescent
1 323 mMax. altitude
333 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 Zlatna – Ighiel. Has blue marking (regional route). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).

Marked regional tourist route. The marking is blue, the sign is a cross on a white background. The length of the route is 35.5 km. Location: mountain range – Treskeu and Metaliferi, Romania.

At a glance

A route of 35.5 km with 1,600 m of ascent from Zlatna to Ighiel. Estimated walking time: about 11.5 h, not counting stops — a very long day, so it is easier split into 2 days. 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: 35.5 km ÷ 4 = 8.9 h + 1,600 m ÷ 600 = 2.7 h, about 11.5 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. 0–12 kmClimb of 850 m (up to 1,314 m)
  2. 12–16 kmDescent of 450 m (down to 808 m)
  3. 16–18 kmClimb of 350 m (up to 1,157 m)
  4. 18–19 kmDescent of 220 m (down to 939 m)
  5. 19–22 kmClimb of 290 m (up to 1,242 m)
  6. 22–35 kmDescent of 890 m to Ighiel

Steepest kilometre: km 12–13, a descent of 300 m (≈30%).

Water and overnight stays

Springs near the trail: at km 4, 8 and 25. There are no springs between km 8 and 25 — carry at least 3 l of water.

Huts and shelters near the trail: Săruni Hut (km 8).

A possible split into days:

  1. Day 1: km 0–17, ≈6 h — overnight: no shelter nearby on the map, bring a tent
  2. Day 2: km 17–35, ≈5.5 h — finish

When to go

Best time: May to October. In winter deep snow is possible, so experience and winter gear are needed.

Getting there

Start: Zlatna. This is a one-way route: the finish is 20 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 11.5 h, not counting stops — a very long day, so it is easier split into 2 days.
Is there water on the route?
Springs near the trail: at km 4, 8 and 25. There are no springs between km 8 and 25 — carry at least 3 l of water.
Where can I stay overnight?
Huts and shelters near the trail: Săruni Hut (km 8).

Water and shelter on the route

  1. Spring (Citeră)km 3.6 from the start · 70 m off the path · Not verified · 766 m
  2. Săruni Hutkm 7.9 from the start · 250 m off the path · Not verified · 1 250 m
  3. Spring below Dâmbăukm 8 from the start · 160 m off the path · Not verified · 1 253 m
  4. Drinking water below Dealul Rădăcinikm 25.3 from the start · Not verified · 853 m

All springs of the CarpathiansAll Carpathian huts

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

Comments and trail condition

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Wildlife along the route

All
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.
Castor bean tickCastor bean tickIxodes ricinusThe most common tick in the Carpathians, a carrier of Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis. How to protect yourself and what to do after a bite.
Common buzzardCommon buzzardButeo buteoThe most numerous bird of prey in Ukraine. It circles over the polonynas and meadows with a mournful 'ki-ya' and hunts for voles.

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

Craft nearby

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