Tămașul Mare

Tămașul Mare (Rom. Vârful Tămașul Mare) is a 1,735 m peak on the western edge of the Piatra Craiului massif, in the Piatra Craiului National Park. Here, the main ridge route of the Făgăraș Mountains, the red stripe ("Olt Valley — Podrăgului Saddle — Lerești Saddle — Plaiul Foii hut"), which coincides with the European E8 trail, enters the massif. Settlements are far away: Peștera, Măgura, Șirnea, and Sătic are all about 11–12 km in a straight line. The highest peak of the massif, La Om, is about 5.1 km to the southeast.

Getting there / routes

The shortest ascent is from Plaiul Foii hut following the yellow stripe marking. According to muntii-nostri.ro, the trail branches off from the red stripe about 150 m from the hut, climbs to a plateau with several holiday cottages near a signpost, turns southwest and follows a forest path along the slope of Plaiul Runcului. After about 300 m of elevation gain, it reaches the ridge, continues 500–550 m along the edge of a regrowing clearing, and then through the forest to the first Plaiul Runcului meadow. From there, about 300 m up the meadow to 1,310 m altitude, then a steeper climb through forest; after 20–25 minutes, the second meadow is reached, where markings disappear. The path leads up between low bushes through sparse firs to the edge of the coniferous forest (about 1,450 m), then, with sparse markings, steeply up to the summit (1,690 m). The route is 4.2 km, about 3.5 hours, and 880 m ascent; the authors recommend caution near the summit, where markings are weak.

According to the same source, Plaiul Foii hut is the main base for routes on the western slope of Piatra Craiului; it was once a border post, now a cozy wooden hut with a terrace above the river, so it's best to arrange accommodation in advance.

From the summit, a marked trail leads via Tămașului Saddle to Curmătura Foii Saddle, and then to Tămașel Saddle under the cliffs of Umerii Pietrei Craiului (6.9 km, about 3.5 hours, 491 m ascent, moderate to difficult). Near Tămașel Saddle, a yellow dot trail branches off along the Pičorul Tămașel ridge to the Garofița Pietrei Craiului Hut hut. The nearest springs marked on the site are Spring below Țânțăreanu and Oțețelei Spring (both 3–3.6 km away).

Safety, season and rules

Tămașul Mare lies within Piatra Craiului National Park: a ticket is required — 10 lei per person for seven days (for visitors over 14); tickets can be bought online, at vending machines in Zărnești and Plaiul Foii, or by SMS (as of the date checked, see pcrai.ro). The summit route is rarely used and markings are weak near the top — have an offline map. Bears are common in the Romanian Carpathians: stay on 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.