Pleșa Peak

Pleșa Peak (rom. Vârful Pleșa) is a 1,840 m summit on the southern limestone Piule–Pleșa ridge in the Retezat Mountains, Hunedoara County. It marks the southeastern end of the ridge: 2.7 km west stands Piule, while the main Retezat peaks — Custura, Peleaga, and Păpușa (Retezat) — lie 6–9 km to the north. The nearest settlements are Câmpu lui Neag (about 7.4 km as the crow flies) and Valea de Brazi (about 11.2 km). Below the summit, about 760 m away, Spring below Pleșa (south-east slope) is marked on the site.

Getting there / routes

Pleșa is crossed by the yellow stripe trail "Buta hut — Piule Peak — Pleșa Peak — DN66A". According to muntii-nostri.ro, from Buta hut, together with the red dot, the trail crosses a stream, skirts the Buta sheepfold fence on the right, climbs a grassy spur into the forest, and traverses gently to a large meadow with a signpost. At the edge of the meadow is the Buta-Mică stream (water can be collected here). At the base of the Gurganul cliff, the forest gives way to dwarf pine and alder; an old sign offers two options: right, up scree to the Scorota (Iepei) saddle and then over several minor summits to Piule — the highest point of the route — or straight up a steep gully to Piule (not recommended in winter or for descent).

From Piule, the Piule–Pleșa ridge route heads southeast: the first summit is bypassed on the left under the large limestone cliff of Piatra-Albe, then a narrow limestone crest (custura) covered in dwarf pine leads to a summit resembling a long, 100-meter back. After a steep descent, there is another custura with lush vegetation, which looks intimidating but is easily crossed: first along the top, then right on grassy ledges. The ridge then softens, with broad meadows, though markings become sparse. The last summit of the ridge is Pleșa, marked by a large stone cairn. Beyond, the ridge drops steeply; the path descends through meadows to an abandoned sheepfold, turns right into the forest, and after about 350 m reaches a clearing with a developed spring, then continues through spruce and later deciduous forest to the Dilma-Mare hermitage. The entire route is 12.4 km, about 6 hours, with 683 m ascent, and of moderate difficulty.

Another option (muntii-nostri.ro) starts from the DN66A road, goes through the Scorota gorge, climbs easily to the Scorota sheepfold, and reaches the Piule–Pleșa ridge (12.5 km, about 9 hours, moderate–difficult). The ends are about 7 km apart, so the authors recommend two cars — one near the Butii gorge and one at the start in the Scorota gorge.

The view from the top

According to muntii-nostri.ro, Pleșa offers a wide panorama of the Western Jiul valley, and from the ridge there are views of the Retezat Mountains, the Câmpu lui Neag basin, and Oslea mountain.

Safety, season and rules

The ridge's limestone crests (custuri) are narrow and overgrown with dwarf pine, and markings are sparse in places — do not go in fog or rain. The ridge lies in the Retezat massif; if your route enters Retezat National Park, a ticket is required — 10 lei for 7 days (park rules, as of the last check). Bears are common in the Romanian Carpathians: stay on 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.