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Șaua Vârtop - Muntele Găina Cruce

HardAlba · Romania

GPX
Distance
26.6 km (16.6 mi)
Elevation gain
1,131 m (3,711 ft)
Typical time
7 hr 36 min
Difficulty
Hard
Route type
Point to point
Highest point
1,822 m (5,978 ft)

About Șaua Vârtop - Muntele Găina Cruce

Șaua Vârtop - Muntele Găina Cruce is a 26.6 km hiking route in Alba, Romania. It climbs roughly 1,131 m (3,711 ft) along the way, topping out at 1,822 m (5,978 ft). Most people take around 7 hr 36 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. Treat it as a full day out: the ascent is relentless in places and there are few easy escape points.

There is no one famous view here. The appeal is the sustained quality of the walking and the fact that you are unlikely to share it with a crowd.

It runs point to point, so arrange transport at the far end or plan a return leg before you set off. The route is waymarked and marked on the ground with its own symbol, so navigation is straightforward in good visibility.

The route usually comes into condition in June and stays good until the first serious autumn weather. The nearest town of any size is Brad, about 33.4 km away, which is where most people base themselves.

In short, Șaua Vârtop - Muntele Găina Cruce suits fit hikers with a habit of long days and an eye on the forecast. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.

Route map

Hard26.6 km1,131 m

Numbered marks every 5 km

Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation

Elevation

Elevation profile

Ascent
+1,131 m
Descent
−1,131 m
High
1,822 m (5,978 ft)
Low
1,158 m (3,799 ft)
1078 m1284 m1490 m1696 m1902 m0.0 km6.6 km13 km20 km26 km

The route in detail

The route is normally walked in the direction described below. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The steepest pitch runs at roughly 35 percent, short but enough to slow most people to a crawl. Because the finish is away from the start, check return transport before committing to the second half.

Highlights

  • High point of 1,822 m (5,978 ft)
  • Waymarked route
  • Waymarked and signposted
  • Over 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of ascent

Know before you go

Best season
June to October
Waymarked
Yes, signed on the ground
Surface
Mixed natural surface
Dogs
Not recorded, check locally
Wheelchair access
Not accessible
Entrance fee
No fee recorded
Camping
Not recorded
Drinking water
Carry your own
Toilets
Not recorded
Mobile coverage
Patchy on the upper sections
Parking
Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
Emergency
112 in Europe, 911 in North America

How this trail scores

Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.

Scenery
53/100

Terrain features, relief and photographic interest

Adventure
49/100

Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is

Difficulty
91/100

Effort index from distance and climbing

Accessibility
19/100

Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it

Family
10/100

Suitability for children who already walk

Dogs
62/100

Access rules, terrain and water along the way

Tips from the trail

  • Start at first light. A long day is far more pleasant when you are not racing the sunset on the descent.
  • Aim for june to october for the most reliable conditions.
  • Break the route into stages and decide your turnaround time before you set off.
  • Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.

Warnings

  • This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.
  • Some sections are steep enough to be awkward in the wet, particularly on the way down.
  • At this altitude the weather can turn in under an hour, and temperatures drop fast once cloud arrives.
  • Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.

Safety

Emergency services in Romania are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage in the upper sections is patchy at best, so do not count on being able to call for help from the summit. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.

What to bring

  • Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
  • Weatherproof jacket
  • At least 1.5 litres of water
  • Trekking poles for the descent
  • Offline map and compass
  • Head torch and spare battery
  • Extra warm layer
  • Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
  • Real food, not just snacks

Photography

Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. Take the shot on the way out. Conditions rarely improve by the time you come back past. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.

Frequently asked questions

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Trails near Șaua Vârtop - Muntele Găina Cruce

Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.

Moderate

Circuitul Cheile Ordâncușii

Alba · Romania

Distance
10.8 km
/ 6.7 mi
Elevation gain
238 m
Typical duration
2 hr 37 min
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Waymarked route

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