The Trovans of Chiojdu, Siriu Mountains

Village Chiojdu - Trovanții de la Chiojdu

Where to find them?

The Trovans of Chiojdu are located at the foot of the Siriu Mountains, west of Chiojdu, Buzău County, on Mount Paltinea, at an altitude of 750 meters above sea level. Chiojdu is 80 km from Buzău, which can be reached in 1.5 hours via DN10 / DJ102B / DJ102L or 70 km from Ploiești, which can also be reached in 1.5 hours via DN1A / DJ102B / DJ102L. From Bucharest it is 130 km to Chiojdu via Ploiești, which can be reached in 2.5 hours. You can park on the main street of the village, next to the information center on the left, just before the entrance to the route.

About the Trovans of Chiojdu

Trovanites, also known as 'living stones', are sandstones developed in sand that are 'grown together', i.e. 'bonded' with natural carbonate cement. Thus these formations grow from the center outwards by about 1 cm every 300 years. Their shapes are interesting, resembling cylinders, ellipsoids, spheres, 8's and have a somewhat polished outer surface.

In Romania, trovans are found in several areas: at Chiojdu, in Buzău county; at Costești, in Vâlcea county; on the Bezdead Valley, in Dâmbovița county; at Ulmet in the Buzăului Mountains, where the most interesting and most numerous forms are found; in the area of Cluj, Hunedoara, Bacău, Suceava, Bistrița Năsăud and Dolj counties.

Route map

(click on objectives for extended version)

Technical box

Length: 3 km

Duration: 1 - 1.5 h ascent, 1 h descent

Mark: blue stripe

Difficulty: easy

Level difference: +250 m

Minimum altitude: 500 m

Maximum altitude: 750 m

1. Entering the route

The best landmark is the local tourist info center, which we found open and welcoming. It is on the left side of the road we came on, after passing the Town Hall and just before a signpost to the right towards Cătiașu, in which direction the red cross signpost leading to a lookout point starts. We start the walk forward another 200 meters upstream along the river Bâsca Chiojdului to a bridge and other markers - forward on the blue stripe towards the Ciucaș Mountains and on the red dot towards the Lake of Eagles in the Siriu Mountains and respectively left towards the Trovanți.

signposts

tourist info center

Chiojdu village

deck signs

2. Suspended bridge

A large sign at the end of the bridge tells us that we have 1-2 hours on a blue lane to get to the bridge. The Trovans of Chiojdu. We have to cross the suspension bridge over the Bâsca Chiojdului river. The bridge is quite long and it's quite shaky, but well anchored to the banks. From the bridge we can see 2 relays, which are our new landmarks. After crossing the bridge we follow to the right the riverbank path, which then turns away from the river as it climbs through the village. We do not leave the marker.

towards the troubadours

suspended bridge

Bâsca Chiojdului

suspended bridge

3. Climb

On leaving the village, we make a wider left turn. The path is well marked and wide. It climbs along the edge of a sparse deciduous forest and through glades before emerging into an open space. Towards the back there is a view of the village of Chiojdu. The last part of the climb is a little steeper and passes through a wooded area to reach a superb, wide glen below one of the relays. This is the place for a well-deserved rest.

relays

stony landscape

rocks

spring flower

our route

relays

4. The Troubadours

In order to reach the trovanți we cross the clearing. On the other side we find the footpath, but there are no markers. We are already looking at the trovan, so we can't go astray. It's a 5-minute walk from the meadow to the trovants. Near the trovantis there are many places suitable for photos. From here you can see down the valley of Bâsca Chiojdului and the village of Chiojdu, and in the distance, slightly to the left, the Siriu Mountains with their highest peak Mălâia (1,662 m). We saw him dressed in a snowy white robe.

Chiojdu village

relay

Troubadours

Siriu Mountains

summit of Mălâia

Conclusion

The little-known Chiojdu Trovants are easily accessible on a hike, which children can also participate in. Visit on the way down in the village, House with Blazers. Nearby you can visit Mud Volcanoes, Colți Amber Museum, Luana Country or Buzău municipality.

All the best!

Steps: