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The Pyramids of Stăncioiului Valley, Cozia Mountains

Spectacular geological phenomenon close to Râmnicu Vâlcea

Location

Pyramids of the Stăncioiului Valley are located 6 km from the center of Râmnicu Vâlcea, on the outskirts of the Goranu district, on the Stăncioiu stream.

I attached this article to the chapter "Cozia Mountains", deliberately, although the location of the objective is in Valcea Subcarpathians. Being so close to Cozia Mountains, and because the place is little known, I made this intentional error, so that those who come to Cozia to detour here.

If you come from the center of the municipality, follow Bd. Tudor Vladimirescu, cross the recently built double overpass over the railroad and the Olt river and reach the roundabout on the ring road leading to Sibiu. From here follow the "European" for 100 meters until the first intersection where you turn right towards Goranu. The road is called DJ703F. The road has many curves and ramifications, that's why you can set your objective on waze. It will take you right again onto Rue Islazului, which climbs up a hill. At the penultimate house on the narrow road the asphalt ends. From here you can continue by car on the dirt road for another 300 meters. Out of the car! What do we find here?

About the Stăncioiului Valley Pyramids

Pyramids of the Stăncioiului Valley are a geologic phenomenon. They occupy an area of 12 hectares and there are more of them than can be seen from the meadow. The ones that are not visible from the valley are located to the right of the visible ones, in the same valley. The hill where they were formed is called Cornetu, and the place is known among the locals as "The Ciuroaie. The villager with whom I spoke also knew the name "the pyramids of the Stancioiului Valley", and he corrected me that I had slightly mispronounced the name of the valley. The pyramids were formed from sedimentary rocks, sand, clay, gravel eroded strongly by water and air.

Route map

(click on objectives for extended version)

1. First meeting

In the image above you can read "access denied"! Quite unclear. Is it about access by car? Would it make sense, although from here it must be 4×4 or ATV or bicycle, to be "hiking forbidden"? I have a harder time accepting that, though on a simple reading, without the above interpretations, that's what it means. Or maybe to charge a fee or is it an insinuation of a kickback.

Controversy aside. In front of us, about a kilom kilometer away, straight ahead, towards the valley, you can see some spectacular geological formations that bring to mind images of the Grand Canyon (miniature) or the Râpa Roșie near Sebeș (AB).

protected area

Pyramids of the Stăncioiului Valley

2. At the base of the pyramids

You can go down to the base of the pyramids by following the dirt road and then right or even straight on their direction.

Either said from the clearing next to the signpost, the view of the "pyramids" is very good and looks spectacular.

 

Pyramids of the Stăncioiului Valley

Pyramids of the Stăncioiului Valley

Conclusion / Invitation

Visit Pyramids of the Stăncioiului Valley if you want to get off the beaten track. It's also worth it for a 15-minute break in the fresh air, gazing at the weathered hillside.

All the best!

Steps:

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