For me, mountains are not about high peaks or adrenalin, but about inner peace, joy, freedom and a chance not just to get to know better the nature around you, but also yourself.

I love the wilderness in the Romanian mountains, especially the less known mountains, where you can really get closer to nature, and I would like to give as many people the chance to discover that feeling of being "into the wild".

I have been hiking since childhood, but got much closer to mountains in 2006, when I went on my first solo trip in to the mountains. Since then I have been in countless trips all over Romania, and from time to time in other mountains in Europe.

I am a certified International Mountain Leader (since september 2017), but I have been organizing trips in the mountains since 2011.

I am also a nature photographer and movie maker, the creator of the mountain episodes (broadcasted on TV and also on Youtube) called "Pe poteci, spre inima ta" ("On the trails, toward your heart) - movies about trails and trips in the mountains.

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For me, mountains are not about high peaks or adrenalin, but about inner peace, joy, freedom and a chance not just to get to know better the nature around you, but also yourself. I love.

Ioan Stoenica, UIMLA . 4 trips offered

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Top 5 volcanoes to climb in Ecuador

Nepal Guide: Best Himalayas Treks and Climbs

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I invite you to join me on a day hike around the Prahova Valley, near the town of Sinaia in Romania, just 140 km from Bucharest. I will take you to **the highest peak of the Baiului Mountains (1895m)**, in a 8 or 9-hour trip with **great views all around**, walking through wild forests and alpine meadows. In winter, the trip would require snowshoes, but the views are even better!

If you prefer, **an easier route is also possible, using the gondola** to gain altitude. Also, if you want to spend 2-3 days in the mountains, there is a lot to see in the area, so we can talk about it!

The Baiului Mountains are easier to climb than the neibouring Bucegi Mountains, and y**ou can see more than five mountain ranges from the top.** Once you are there, you can **easily walk on the main ridge if the weather is good**, enjoying  the view of stunning landscapes.

This trip is available all year long, but **the best time to come** would be May-June, for the flowers, September- October for the autumn colors of the forest and better weather conditions, and during all winter.

Up on the crest of the mountain the weather can be tough sometimes, with fog, strong wind and, in winter, snow storms, but we will adjust the trip depending on the weather, to keep the group safe. But in good weather, **the views from up there will make it worth the effort!**

If you come to the area one day in advance, **you can visit Sinaia and Peles, the royal palace, or Busteni,** a small mountain town, and you can find accomodation all around, in order to meet early in the morning for a full day out on the trails.

We will meet in **Poiana Tapului village,** near Sinaia. From there we will have about 4-5 hours of hiking to the highest peak of Baiului Mountains (1895m). In clear weather, we will be able to observe the more rocky Bucegi Mountains, but also other mountains around.

The ascent will be part walking through the forest, part through an alpine meadow. There is a **positive altitude difference of about 1000m.** If the weather is good, we can easily walk on the main ridge of the mountain. After that, we will descend on a different trail to **Sinaia**. Overall we will have about **7-9 hours of hiking**, on **marked but also unmarked trails.**

No technical abilities or equipment is requiered for this trip, however the 1000m climb means you need to be in a decent physical shape, in order to be able to enjoy the trip.

**So what are you waiting for? Just send me a request and come join me on this day hike! We will spend a great day in the Baiului Mountains.**

Poiana Tapului village, near Sinaia. If needed, I can arrange transportation from the airport to the Sinaia area. 

Join this great day hike and reach the top of the Baiu Mountains, around the Prahova Valley, near the tourist town of Sinaia, along UIMLA Mountain Leader Ioan. Discover breathtaking views and beautiful landscapes!

1+ day Hiking around the Prahova Valley, near Sinaia (Baiu Mountains). Hiking trip. UIMLA guide

1+ day Hiking around the Prahova Valley, near Sinaia (Baiu Mountains)

Located near Cheia mountain resort, in the Prahova County, **the Ciucas Mountains offer a lot of possibilities for hiking and trekking**. You can choose from an easy 5-6 hour day hike to 7-9 hours trip or even treks of 2 or more days in the area. I can adapt the trip to your group level and wishes.

The trip is available all year long, but you should come **from May to July if you like flowers:** this mountain is famous for the Rhododendron flowers (**the mountain becomes pink in June**!). Or you could come in September – October if you like colored forests, or anytime in winter, if you want to climb safely a spectacular rocky white peak.

For a 2-day trip, we will start the ascent near Cheia village -about 150 km from Bucharest- and **reach the highest peak, Ciucas (1954m)**. From the highest peak, you can see more than 10 mountain ranges all around on a clear day and lots of flowers if you come in spring! On the second day,  we will visit the **Gropsoarele ridge.**

On the first day, we will spend the night at the **Ciucas mountain hut,** located at about 1600m, offering great conditions for sleeping and eating. It is also possible to sleep in the tent up on the mountain. **You can check the 2-day trip detailed itinerary below.** 

This 2- day trip described above requires medium physical shape and normal mountain equipment. From spring to autumn **beginners can join** too. In winter, the trip would be more demanding because of the snow (snowshoes and/or crampons may be necessary), but the views are even better with snow. However, **I can adapt the trip to the group’s needs** and also to weather conditions, which can become difficult sometimes.

Please note  **1-day trip or more days trip are also available.** If you want to spend more days in the area, we have plenty of mountains to visit, so just ask me about it!

**So what are you waiting for? Just send me a request and let’s start planning together a great trek in the Ciucas Mountains.** 

If you’d like to explore a different area in Romania, you can check out my [hiking tour in the Baiu Mountains](https://www.explore-share.com/trip/1-day-hiking-around-the-prahova-valley-near-sinaia-baiu-mountains/), near Sinaia.

We will start our trek near Cheia village and go through a small gorge and through the forest to reach Bratocea Pass (1260m). From there we will soon be out of the forest and enjoy views all around. We will follow Bratocea ridge to get to the highest peak  (Ciucas Peak, 1954m), and from there we will descend on a different route to the Ciucas mountain hut.

From the highest peak, on a clear day you can see more than 10 mountain ranges all around! The position of this mountain, located among the Carpathians, is fantastic.

On the first day, we will have to walk for about 6-7 hours, with about 1000m of positive altitude difference.

Cheia village - Ciucas Peak (1954m) - Ciucas hut

The second day we don’t have to climb much (about 400m) to get to another high peak in the area, on the second ridge of the mountain: Gropsoarele. We will have different views up there, and a lot of flowers if you come in spring.

We will follow the rocky ridge for a while, enjoying the view, and then we will enter the forest and descend back to Cheia village, after 5-6 hours of walking.

If you want to spend more days in the area, we have plenty of mountains to visit, so just ask about it!

Gropsoarele - Cheia village

We can meet in Cheia village, or I can arrange transfer from the airport (Bucharest) or from Brasov area (not included in the price above).


Join UMILA Mountain Leader Ioan on this 2-day trek and discover the Ciucas Mountains great views, near Cheia village.

2-day Trekking in the Ciucas Mountains in Prahova County, near Cheia. 2-day trip. UIMLA guide

2-day Trekking in the Ciucas Mountains in Prahova County, near Cheia

The Piatra Craiului National Park in Romania is **one of the most beautiful protected areas of the Carpathians.** Join me on a day hike and discover this national park in the Piatria Craiului Mountains, one of the most popular hiking areas in the country, located just a few kilometers away from the **city of Brasov.**

We can meet up in Brasov or directly in Zarnesti village early in the morning. The trip will take us in total about 7-8 hours. During this day we will get to the Piatra Mica peak (The Small Rock – 1816m), visit the Curmatura cottage and Prapastiile Zarnestilor, a river gorge. You can find something interesting to see in the park in every season, so it is up to you if you prefer to see greener or whiter landscapes.

From Brasov we need to drive, or to take a train, to get to **Zarnesti village**, where the trip will start. We will leave the car and start ascending through the forest and after one hour we will arrive to a big clearing, where we will see for the first time **the rocky ridge of the Piatra Craiului Mountains.**

From that point we continue the climb until we get to the Piatra Mica peak , with **great views all around** and a big fall at our feet. After taking plenty of  photos, the most interesting part of the trail is up! We have to walk on a narrow and rocky path, with some steep slopes all around. Some chains will be there to help through the most difficult part, when we will start the descent.

After we return to the forest, we head to the Curmatura cottage for something to eat and drink. Then we descend to Prapastiile Zarnestilor, a river gorge with steep and tall walls. Following this way, after approximately 8 hours, we will finally return to the car.

The trip can be customized to your needs and level. We can modify the route in case of bad weather, or in case you prefer something easier or more demanding.

This hike involves 1000m of positive altitude difference (about **4-5 hours of climbing**), meaning you need to be in a good physical shape. However, experience is not mandatory, and **you can enjoy the trip even as a beginner.** Although you should bear in mind that if you have a big fear of heights, this trail could put you to a test!

**Just send me a request if you want to join me on this hike in the Piatra Craiului National Park. Book your trip and come enjoy a great trek in Romania.** You could also check out my profile page for [other hiking tours in Romania](https://www.explore-share.com/mountain-guide/ioan-stoenica/).

Join Ioan, an experienced UIMLA Mountain Leader, on a day hike in the Piatra Craiului National Park, an area of amazing natural beauty near Brasov, in Romania.

Day hike in the Piatra Craiului National Park, from Brasov, Romania. 1-day trip. UIMLA guide

Day hike in the Piatra Craiului National Park, from Brasov, Romania

Nestled into the foothills of the mighty Carpathian Mountains, Breaza is the ideal destination for hiking in Romania.

Located only about 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of Bucharest, in the verdant foothills of the Bucegi subrange, the historic village boasts plenty of incredible scenery and natural beauty  to explore on foot.

After meeting up at a pre-determined location in the town, we will transfer to the start of the trip and the real fun begins. We will spend the next four hours hiking over the hills as well as through the meadows and forests of Prahova county.

Among the many highlights of the trip will be reaching a scenic overlook, from which we will descend down to the river bed below, where we will have the chance to see a 500 year old beech tree.

After following the river for a ways, we will begin to ascend back up through the hills until we once again arrive at Breaza, making about a 10-kilometer (6.2 mile) loop.

So what are you waiting for? Book now for this fun and scenic half-day adventure hiking in Romania's Bucegi Mountains!

If you like the look of this trip, but were looking for something a bit longer, then I think you may also enjoy my [3-day wilderness trek in the Vrancea Mountains](https://www.explore-share.com/mountain-guide/ioan-stoenica/)!

Breaza, in the city center or at the train station

Join Ioan, a UIMLA-certfied mountain leader, for this fun and scenic experience of hiking in Romania. Head just north of Bucharest, to the Bucegi Mountains, and enjoy a lovely hike through their foothills and along a riverbed. Visit a 500 year old tree after getting great views from a scenic overlook.

Half-day hiking in Romania: family-friendly trip near Bucegi Mountains. 1/2-day trip. UIMLA guide

Half-day hiking in Romania: family-friendly trip near Bucegi Mountains

Ioan

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