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DN66A road  — Buta Hut, via Scorota Valley

Range: Retezat Mountains
Hiking routes of the Romanian Carpathians
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7.6 kmLength
850 mAscent
356 mDescent
1 934 mMax. altitude
1 112 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 DN66A road – Scorota Valley – Buta Hut. Has yellow marking (local route). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).

Marked local tourist route. Marking is yellow, sign — circle on a white background. Length of the route — 7.6 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 7.6 km with 850 m of ascent from DN66A road to Buta Hut. Estimated walking time: about 3.5 h, not counting stops. Difficulty: moderate. Waymarking: yellow.

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: 7.6 km ÷ 4 = 1.9 h + 850 m ÷ 600 = 1.4 h, about 3.5 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. 0–4.5 kmClimb of 740 m to Scorota Saddle
  2. 4.5–7.5 kmAlong the ridge at 1,570–1,890 m

Steepest kilometre: km 3.5–4.5, a climb of 380 m (≈39%), near Scorota Saddle.

Water and overnight stays

A spring near the trail: at km 7.

Huts and shelters near the trail: Buta Hut (km 7), Salvamont Buta Hut (km 7).

When to go

Best time: June to September. In winter only for experienced hikers with proper gear: avalanche danger is possible. About 4 km of the route runs above 1,500 m, where the weather changes quickly — check the forecast.

Getting there

Start: DN66A road. This is a one-way route: the finish is 5 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 3.5 h, not counting stops.
Is there water on the route?
A spring near the trail: at km 7.
Where can I stay overnight?
Huts and shelters near the trail: Buta Hut (km 7), Salvamont Buta Hut (km 7).

Water and shelter on the route

  1. Buta Hutkm 7 from the start · Standing · 1 584 m
  2. Drinking water below Piulekm 7.3 from the start · Not verified · 1 619 m
  3. Salvamont Buta Hutkm 7.3 from the start · Not verified · 1 620 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
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.
Coal titCoal titPeriparus aterThe smallest tit of our forests: a black cap with a white spot on the nape. A resident of spruce and fir forests.

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

Trails nearby

All trails
Câmpu lui Neag – Buta Hut – Lake BucuraHardOne-dayMarkedCâmpu lui Neag Lake Bucuravia Buta HutElevation profile798–2 052 m20.5 kmascent 1 579 m≈ 8 h walkingHobița – Poiana PelegiiHard1–2 daysMarkedHobița Poiana PelegiiElevation profile533–2 256 m34 kmascent 2 008 m≈ 12 h walkingLunca Berhina – Lake BucuraHardOne-dayMarkedLunca Berhina Lake BucuraElevation profile1 237–2 230 m9.7 kmascent 1 099 m≈ 4.5 h walking