Fetifoiu

Fetifoiu (Rom. Vârful Fetifoiu, Hun. Leánykahavas, Saxon Hohe Rong) is the southernmost massif of the Postăvaru Mountains, a 1,292 m peak above the resort of Predeal in Brașov County. According to the Hungarian Wikipedia, it is the highest summit of the so-called Predeal Mountains (some sources give 1,285 or 1,288 m); to the south, the massif stretches down to the valleys separating Postăvaru from Bucegi Mountains and now followed by the DN73A road. The nearest settlements are Pârâul Rece (about 2.2 km as the crow flies), Predeal (about 3.1 km), and Timișu de Sus (about 3.7 km).

The mountain is elongated west to east and fully covered by beech and spruce forest, so, as the Hungarian Wikipedia warns, there are no panoramas here — it’s a forest walk with history.

Nature and history

Until 1920, the ridge was the border between Austria-Hungary and the Kingdom of Romania; the Saxon name Hohe Rong (“high edge”) refers to this. The blue cross marked trail partly follows the old road of the Székely border guards. Most of the 1970s boundary stones were destroyed, but at least two intact ones remain along the ridge — one right by the trail, another in a forest clearing; nearby you can also see the remains of steel border post no. 179 with the letter “R” on its eastern side.

On June 18–19, 1849, at the Șipote border post (where the blue cross trail meets the DN73A road, about 4 km from the DN1 junction), Székelys under János Tuzon held off advancing Russian troops; when their ammunition ran out, they retreated. Today, unlike the remote 19th century, the massif is surrounded by villas, hotels, and sanatoriums, and the Trebraz and Poiana Secuilor meadows to the north are popular picnic spots.

Getting there / routes

The blue cross “Predeal — Fetifoiu — La Șipote” route and a section of the European E8 trail cross the summit. According to muntii-nostri.ro, from the upper part of Predeal you follow the road towards the Trebraz hut, leave the asphalt at the “Cabana Vânătorilor” hotel together with the yellow trail to Postăvaru, and climb gently through the forest road below the summit (about 1,290 m). There’s a fork: one option descends steeply (24% slope) to the Trebraz hut, the other rises slightly to Fetifoiu and then descends the western spur to the first houses on the DN73A road to Pârâul Rece. The route is 5.3 km, about 2 hr 15 min, and 310 m ascent; it’s rated as relatively easy.

Fetifoiu combines well with a hike to Postăvarul (about 6.9 km north). The nearest drinking water marked on the site is Drinking water below Gâlma Mare (about 2 km).

Safety, season and rules

The ridge forest is dense and there are many paths around, so stick to the blue cross markings. Bears are common in the Romanian Carpathians: don’t leave marked trails, make noise, avoid dusk, and don’t keep food in your tent; near sheepfolds, shepherd dogs may attack — don’t 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.