The Făgăraș Mountains 1/5 - Făgăraș Mountains

1. Lazaret (350 m) - km 355+100 (350 m)

1.5 km / 30 min / easy / red lane

Start from Lazaret. We follow the road a few hundred meters to the north, towards Boita, with our right ear on the right bank of the Olt and with our left ear in the current made by the numerous trucks that cover many more kilometers than us. We meet the signpost for the entrance to the trail, which will take 6 - 7 hours to Chica Pietrelor. That long? We were anyway prepared to climb partially to the front. We were crossing the bridge over the Olt river, a bridge over which a tour with a braver driver could cross, but we would not have gained more than 1 km. We are on the "fagarasan" bank of the Olt. We had to go up a difference in level of about 1500 meters, while under our eyes some canoes carried downstream, at will, some enthusiasts of this "means of transport". 1,5 km we were moving "flat", also to the N, next to the railroad line that we crossed in front of a small bridge over the Randiboiu parapet, located at the CF 357 (on many maps it appears 355+100, but my picture is gratifying).

2. Km 355+100 (350 m) - Claia Bulzului (1.384 m) - Strâmbanu (1.506 m)

9 km / 4 h / medium / red lane

We enter the mountain. And we enter steeply into a thick beech forest on the Fortress Hill. After a first effort, the slope eases, but it's still clearly uphill. We are picking mushrooms as the jiron we are walking on crackles beneath the soles of our boots. Imagine the animals that inhabit these parts! We reach a first glen. But not for long. The path leads back into the forest. Speaking of animals, can you tell me who carved this tree trunk? And who put these pipes in the stem? We detour north The Bulzului Glade (1.384 m), which is more rocky on its opposite face.

3. Strâmbanu (1.506 m) - under Chica Pietrelor (1.606 m) - Șaua Corbului (1.568 m)

2 km / 45 min / easy / red lane

After we make an S, still to the north we avoid and Strambanu Pond (1.510 m) and exit into the alpine void.

Start the sunset show. And it's going to be a great one as we deserve because we reached the ridge much faster than the first indicator mentioned.

From now on the path was not going to be a problem, it was going to be relatively flat, so we could keep going as long as our strength would hold us, even if it was going to get stuck.

We pass north of Girl Stones (1.606 m). We enjoy the sunset as we walk.

4. Șaua Corbului (1.568 m) - below Chica Fedeleșului (1.750 m)

2 km / 30 min / easy / red lane

We arrive in Saua Corbului (1.568 m) at the intersection with the red cross trail coming from Turnu Rosu. We did 4:40 hours from the signpost that threatened us with up to 7 hours! Another signpost at this place mentioned 3 hours to Saua Suru, where we will pass the next day. The sun has gone down but it is still visible in the twilight.

The time has come to turn on the headlights just as the villagers turned on the lights in the valley.

5. below Chica Fedeleșului (1.750 m) - Curmătura Tatarului (1.780 m)

1 km / 30 min / easy / red lane

We are north of Faithful Girl (1.820 m), where we meet a good spring right in the path. Water gushes from the ground. We fill up and decide to go a little further until we find an ideal camping spot.

We stop in The Tatar's Cur Curve. We pitch our tents on flat, snowy ground, perfect for camping. It's shaping up to be one hell of a ride. The big test comes the next day: the Sărăti Seam! Now, good night!