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Retezat Ridge – Godeanu – Cernei – Day 2/7 – Retezat Mountains

FThe pass below Pietrii Peak (1,350 m) – Oborocii Peak (1,474 m) – Spring below Vârful Mic (1,410 m) – below Vârful Tulișa – Curmătura Tulișa (1,555 m)

Access

This article describes the second day of the 7-day expedition along the ridge of the Retezat–Godeanu–Cernei Mountains, following the red-marked trail. We are still in the Retezat Mountains, but not in their high-altitude region—rather, below 1,700 meters. Strictly along this trail, you can enter and exit exit Piscul Oborocii coming from Lupeni, or enter/exit the intersection past Vârful Mic coming from Baru via the Tulișa Shelter, or enter/exit the Tulișa Saddle from Uricani—the most popular route, marked with a yellow cross.

FromAbout the hike on July 2

It was supposed to be the easiest of the seven days of hiking, but we set out still reeling from the previous day’s mishap, when we couldn’t find any drinking water at our chosen campsite—the spring below Vârful Pietrii had salty water. So we endured and suffered from thirst, rationing our sips of water as best we could until we reached the first good spring, the one below Vârful Mic. Since this became an important landmark, we divided Day 2 based on it. One advantage of this otherwise easy stretch of trail, however, was that there were many blueberry bushes and blueberry pickers, and we were able to replenish our water and energy supplies in this way.

Route map

(click on objectives for extended version)

Technical box

Difficulty: easy
Duration / Distance: 5.5 hours / 15 km
Marking: red stripe, quite faded and sparse
Water sources: points 5, 8, and 12 on the map; point 12 is the Tătărescu Spring, an excellent water source for camping in the Tulișa Saddle
Minimum altitude: 1,350 meters above sea level, at the start
Maximum elevation: 1,740 m above sea level, below Tulișa Peak, point 7 on the map
Elevation difference: approximately +600 m / -400 m

Note: The fountain at the starting point DOES NOT HAVE DRINKING WATER!

1. FThe pass below Pietrii Peak (1,350 m) – Oborocii Peak (1,474 m) – The spring below Mic Peak (1,410 m)

2.5–3 hours / 8 km / easy / red trail

With thirst in our hearts, after a sunrise that broke through the high peaks of the Parâng Mountains, we set off along the fairly gentle trail from the still-low ridge, over Pietrii Peak and then Oborocii Peak. To the left, we constantly admired the scenic views of the West Jiu Valley and, beyond that, the peaks of the Vâlcan Mountains. It’s important to carefully locate the spring below Vârful Mic, marked very precisely on the mapy.com map—here at point 5. The spring has a low flow rate, but who cares!

The Parâng Mountains at sunrise

Pietrii Peak and the campsite

view of the town of Lupeni and the Vâlcan Mountains

Oborocii Peak

2. Izvthe pass below Vârful Mic (1,410 m) – below Vârful Tulișa – Curmătura Tulișa (1,555 m)

2.5 hours / 7 km / easy / red trail

Lunch was also our breakfast because we found water at the spring we’d mentioned. That gave us renewed energy and strength to keep going. The blueberries were a bonus—full of flavor, freshness, and nourishment. In the area around Tulișa Peak, we’ll pass the 1,700-meter mark, even if we don’t climb all the way to the peak itself. On the descent to Curmătura Tulișa, there’s another good spring. In Curmătura Tulișa, there are two crosses (monuments) and a T-intersection. It’s a great place to camp, even though the developed spring is 300 meters away. The spring is named Gheorghe Tătărescu, after the former prime minister of Romania. There is also a monument near the spring; the Tătărescu Spring has a very good flow.

the cross at Șaua Tulișa

Văcarea–Lăzăru–Gruniu, and to the right toward Custura

between Vârful Mic and Tulișa

The road is smooth and lined with blueberries

Conclusion Day 2 of 7

1. Keep a supply of water with you until you’re sure you’ll reach the next good water source; otherwise, you’ll suffer just like we did! The spring below the Pietrii peak doesn’t have good water! Reminder from Day 1.

All the best!

Steps:

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