Gropșoarele

Gropșoarele (Rom. Vârful Gropșoarele) is a 1,883 m peak in the Ciucaș Mountains, on the border of Prahova and Brașov Counties. It stands on a ridge branching off from the main massif towards the summit of Zăganu—just 0.8 km to the southeast, so both peaks are usually climbed together. The highest peak of the range, Ciucaș Peak, is about 5.2 km northwest in a straight line.

The nearest settlement is the resort village of Cheia (about 4.4 km direct), then Babarunca (about 10.8 km) and Vama Buzăului (about 12 km). Near the summit, the site marks Hut below Zăganu and Hut below Colții Boncuței (both about 1.5 km away), as well as Spring below Muntele Roșu.

Getting there / routes

The direct route is the red cross from Cheia through Gropșoarele to the Vârful Ciucaș Hut hut. According to muntii-nostri.ro, it starts in the village center near the "Cheia" hotel, passes the Cheia monastery to the DN1A highway, and there, by a signpost, enters the spruce forest and crosses the Zaganu stream. The whole route to the hut below Ciucaș is 12.8 km, about 5 hr 45 min and 1,163 m ascent, of medium to difficult grade.

Another option is from the Muntele Roșu hut (Cabana Muntele Roșu, 1,280 m). According to the same source, the red triangle trail climbs Muntele Roșu, skirts its summit (1,766 m), and reaches La Răscruce (1,805 m), where several routes meet. From there to Gropșoarele saddle (1,663 m), the trail, marked by metal posts, descends through alpine meadows for 1.1 km; to Curmătura Stânii saddle, the whole segment is 6 km and about 3 hours. Hikers on one trip made a loop from Muntele Roșu via La Răscruce, Gropșoarele, and Zaganu to the Ciucaș hut: 14.3 km, about 4.5 hours, 791 m ascent.

From the south, from the Poiana Stânii clearing, a steep route leads along the Gropșoarele ridge to Zaganu (3.3 km, 2 hr 15 min, 755 m ascent). According to the description, from the hunting lodge at the clearing, the route follows the blue stripe for about 500 m, then a forest road up the Pârâul Alb valley; after 1.6 km, at about 1,160 m altitude, near the remains of a hunting tower, the yellow triangle branches off into the Pârâul Alb gorge. Our route instead ascends the dry valley of the Sterp stream with a slope of about 40%, past a temporary spring: after a kilometer of ascent (406 m elevation gain), it leads into a cirque overgrown with tall shrubs, and from there, via narrow switchbacks, to the ridge.

Safety, season and rules

The Gropșoarele–Zaganu ridge is exposed, so in fog or storms it is uncomfortable: check the forecast and stick to the markings. In winter, these routes are suitable only for experienced and well-equipped hikers. Bears are common in the Romanian Carpathians: do not leave marked trails, make noise, avoid dusk, and do not keep food in your tent; near sheepfolds, shepherd dogs may attack—do not run, stop and shield yourself with your backpack (advice from Salvamont România).

In case of emergency, call the national mountain rescue dispatcher 0SALVAMONT — 0725 826 668 or 112.