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Suhard Mountain Ridge 1/2

Croitor Hut (1320) - Omu Peak (1932) - Pietrele Roșii Peak (1775) - Icoana Lake (1540)

Suhard Mountains Ridge 1/2. We divided the crossing of the Suhard Mountains from Rotunda Pass to Vatra Dornei in 2 long stages. These are the western eastern extremities of the ridge. In Pasul Rotunda you reach the DN17D, an unpaved road, hardly practicable for cars, the more scenic way is the way from Cârlibaba.

About the Suhard Mountains - day 1/2

The first day of the Suhard Mountains ridge trail starts from the Croitor Hut near Rotunda Pass, climbs the highest peak of the massif, Omu Peak, crosses a long and thick jnepenis, then descends in an area with huts to Icoana Lake, where we camped.

Route map

(click on objectives for extended version)

Technical box

Difficulty: medium
Duration / distance: 8-9 hours with breaks / 22-23 km
Marking: red stripe, unmarked, blue stripe
Water sources: springs at points 6, 11 and 12 on the map and near Lake Icoana at destination
Minimum altitude: 1320 meters above sea level, immediately after starting (point 1 on the map)
Maximum altitude: 1932 meters at Omu Peak (point 4 on the map)
Level difference: about +1000 m / -700 m

Comments: Long trail, reaching the highest point of the massif at Omu Peak, and passing through many huts, some dogs can be aggressive, through a challenging, long and thick jnepenis, and towards the end we camp by a lake.

1. Croitor Hut (1320 m) - Omu Peak (1932 m)

4.5 hours / 12 km / medium / red lane, unmarked

From the Croitor Hut we slowly climb up a forest road that winds its way along the mountain's steep peaks. There are a few unmarked, accessible shortcuts. Blueberries complete our breakfast. When passing herds of sheep and goats watch out for the dog. For the first time I had to resort to bear spray against an aggressive dog. The Omu or Omului peak can be bypassed on the contour, but we decided to climb it, as it is also the highest in the Suhard Mountains. The climb is all forest road, but downhill. At the top we rested for 40 minutes and admired a cyclist who climbed the steep slope. Congratulations Mihaela and Flavius for conquering the summit!

the way is clear

meeeh!

the leftmost, Ineuțul and Ineul

forest road

on the contour or on the peak

strenuous climb up Omu Peak

Thanks to the hosts of the Croitor Hut!

the coechipers on Omu Peak

2. Omu Peak (1932 m) - Red Stones Peak (1775 m)

1.5-2.5 hours / 4 km / hard / unmarked, blue lane

From Omu Peak starts the blue-band mark, partly doubled by red tape, until it descends back down into the contour. After a steep and short descent, an unmarked meadow follows, which leads by guessing into the forest road coming around the contour. Here we turn back 50 meters to an unmarked fork where we must leave the forest road. The place can easily be missed. We leave the backpacks, go back another piece on the contour and reach the spring. It is necessary to replenish our water supply for the next few hours. we return to the backpacks. Urmî, the wide, grassy ditch, marked with a blue stripe, approaching a long jnepenish. At times this is very thick and makes us uncomfortable to advance, and even questions whether we are on the right track. We haven't missed the path, but it seems as if this jnepen glade never ends. We reach the Red Stones Peak

Omu Peak

leaving the Peak of Man

steep and short descent

down the unmarked

branch where we enter the snowy road

this path must be followed

here you can see the path

the crossing jnepenice

long crossing through jnepeni

3. Pietrele Roșii Peak (1775 m) - Diecilor Peak (1625 m) - Icoana Lake (1540 m)

2.5 hours / 7 km / easy / blue lane

We go down through rarer junipers, then through an alpine hollow, then through the forest, then through an alpine hollow again. At a sheepfold, go far to the left. Here we find several springs. We're exhausted, but the springs are not good enough for the needs of a night in a tent. We continue another part of the way through a rather damp forest, chopped up by many forest tractor tracks. At the exit of the forest a spring is signaled and Lake Icoana appears. Here we camp, eat, go to the spring and finally hang the last of our food supplies in the trees 50 meters away. We slept great!

Red Stones Peak

forest chopped up by TAFs

Lake Icon

tired

Conclusion

The Suhard Mountains Ridge 1/2 was a long stage, with a tiring climb up Omu Peak, a seemingly endless crossing of a jnepenish, and many huts and herds of animals, some accompanied by aggressive dogs. Camping at Lacul Icoana near the spring was more than necessary.

All the best!

Steps:

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