Scara Peak

Scara Peak (rom. Vârful Scara) is a 2,422 m peak in the Bucegi Mountains, on the border of Brașov and Prahova Counties. According to Romanian Wikipedia, it is about half an hour along the ridge trail from the massif’s highest summit, Omu Peak (about 1.8 km east in a straight line), and Scara itself is clearly visible from the ridge of Bucșoiu, from the ridge and from the Țigănești valley.

The nearest settlements are the village of Șimon (about 8 km as the crow flies), Moieciu de Sus (about 8.1 km), the town of Bușteni (about 8.8 km), and Bran (about 8.9 km), famous for its castle. To the Omu Chalet hut on Omu summit is about 1.8 km; closer, at about 1.5 km, stands Țigănești Hut.

Getting there / routes

The yellow triangle route "Bran – Scara Peak – Omu Hut" passes over Scara. According to muntii-nostri.ro, from Bran the trail passes through the village of Poarta, the Ciubotea valley past the Salvamont Ciubotea base (Bran-Ciubotea Salvamont Hut), a long meadow, and then a long gentle threshold of the first glacial cirque. The route crosses three cirques in succession, after a shepherd’s shelter turns right and climbs for about 45 minutes up the eastern slope of the Ciubotea ridge on rocky steps right under Scara Peak. The trail then crosses the summit plateau, descends the western slope of Scara under the limestone "window" of Țigănești to the Gornurilor saddle, and then climbs another 30–45 minutes to the Omu Hut (2,507 m).

This route is 13.1 km in total, about 6 hours 45 minutes, with 1,909 m ascent; it is of medium to difficult grade. The authors call the ascent exhausting and recommend it for experienced hikers used to about 2,000 m elevation gain in about 7 hours; in winter the route is not recommended and considered inaccessible.

According to the same description, the village of Poarta at the foot of the Bucegi is already a true mecca for photographers. From the Salvamont base, the trail goes through forest to a long meadow with a semi-ruined forester’s hut, then diagonally up the Urletoarea-Clincei ridge and in 45–50 minutes enters the Ciubotea valley with a view of the Colții Ciubotei rocks. Ahead rise the Țigănești towers, and from the wide Podul-Spinteceturilor platform on the Scara ridge, the summit itself is already visible. On the summit plateau, remains of a semi-spherical shelter destroyed by wind have survived, according to the description. The Omu Hut, to which the route leads, is the highest hut in the Carpathians, and next to it operates the Omu meteorological station, the highest permanently inhabited place in Romania.

Another way from Bran is the red stripe via the Țigănești saddle to the Omu Hut; it passes near Scara. Also nearby are the Mălăiești Hut and Mălăiești Salvamont Hut huts in the Mălăiești valley, and among springs, Spring below Lancia (about 1.5 km from the summit).

Safety, season and rules

The peak is in the Bucegi Natural Park: a ticket is required — 10 lei per adult for three months, purchased online or from rangers (as of the date checked, see bucegipark.ro). The Bucegi plateau is known for dense fog: stick to the markings. In winter, the cirque slopes are avalanche-prone, and the Ciubotea rocky ridge is only for experienced and 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.

Photos: Harabagiu Dan (Hardsr at ro.wikipedia), Public domain; Harabagiu Dan (Hardsr at ro.wikipedia), Public domain; Harabagiu Dan (Hardsr at ro.wikipedia), Public domain; Harabagiu Dan (Hardsr at ro.wikipedia), Public domain — Wikimedia Commons.