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Lake Gura Apei  — Lake Bucura, via Lake Zănoaga

Range: Retezat Mountains
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18.7 kmLength
1 600 mAscent
646 mDescent
2 230 mMax. altitude
1 072 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 Lake Gura Apei – Lake Zănoaga – Lake Bucura. Has blue marking (local route). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).

Marked local tourist route. The marking is blue, the sign is a cross on a white background. The length of the route is 18.7 km. Location: mountain massif – Retezat, Romania. The route 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). 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 18.7 km with 1,600 m of ascent from Lake Gura Apei to Lake Bucura. Estimated walking time: about 7.5 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: 18.7 km ÷ 4 = 4.7 h + 1,600 m ÷ 600 = 2.7 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. 0–2 kmGentle ups and downs at 1,070–1,130 m
  2. 2–8 kmClimb of 980 m to Hut below Zlata
  3. 8–19 kmAlong the ridge at 1,950–2,230 m

Steepest kilometre: km 2–3, a climb of 340 m (≈34%).

Water and overnight stays

Springs near the trail: at km 1, 9, 11, 15, 17 and 19. There are no springs between km 1 and 9 — carry at least 2 l of water.

Huts and shelters near the trail: Hut below Zlata (km 7), Zănoaga Salvamont Hut (km 11), Bucura Salvamont Hut (km 19).

When to go

Best time: June to September. In winter only for experienced hikers with proper gear: avalanche danger is possible. About 16 km of the route runs above 1,500 m, where the weather changes quickly — check the forecast.

Getting there

Start: Lake Gura Apei. 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 7.5 h, not counting stops.
Is there water on the route?
Springs near the trail: at km 1, 9, 11, 15, 17 and 19. There are no springs between km 1 and 9 — carry at least 2 l of water.
Where can I stay overnight?
Huts and shelters near the trail: Hut below Zlata (km 7), Zănoaga Salvamont Hut (km 11), Bucura Salvamont Hut (km 19).

Water and shelter on the route

  1. Spring, 1 086 mkm 1.1 from the start · Not verified · 1 086 m
  2. Hut below Zlatakm 7.4 from the start · Not verified · 2 099 m
  3. Spring below Vârful Radeșu Mare (south-west slope)km 9.1 from the start · 70 m off the path · Not verified · 2 068 m
  4. Spring below Vârful Radeșu Mare (south-east slope)km 10.8 from the start · 180 m off the path · Not verified · 2 011 m
  5. Zănoaga Salvamont Hutkm 11.1 from the start · Not verified · 1 993 m
  6. Spring below La Clincekm 14.9 from the start · 280 m off the path · Not verified · 2 044 m
  7. Spring below Vârful lui Stirb (north slope)km 17.2 from the start · Not verified · 1 997 m
  8. Bucura Salvamont Hutkm 18.7 from the start · 70 m off the path · Not verified · 2 051 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.
Common ravenCommon ravenCorvus coraxThe largest passerine bird, whose deep 'caw-caw' echoes over the polonynas and peaks of the Carpathians.
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.
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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