Stan's Valley, Făgăraș Mountains

1. Trail entrance (750 m) - bridge (930 m)

1 h / medium / red dot

At the road sign indicating a dangerous curve and beware of animals on the downhill direction we meet the first road marking red dot, who will accompany us, but there's no way to go wrong.

The hike will be full of obstacles, some challenging, which will test our climbing and untying skills, on a route equipped with support cables, ladders, ladders, parapets, some in a degraded state, detached or missing.

The first obstacle is an artificial one, namely a dam, in fact a concrete wall of a hydro-technical work to improve the course of the river at the meeting of the road. Climbing up the dam is done on some metal toes (steps) mounted on its left side as we were moving, or on the right in the direction of flow of the para.

If we have successfully passed this first hop, it means that we have enough courage to enter the actual route. It's been an enlightening warm-up test. Now, at the end of August, the flow is low, so this month is a good one for the keys. We pass an area where we walk along the parau, at first on the right side of it (in the directions to always understand the direction of the water flow), on rocks and stones in and near the bed of the parau. The first metal stairs also appear, which do not pose any particular problems, but it is to be appreciated that they greatly ease access and make it safer. We take many pictures and admire each bulb of water formed on the course. The water thread grinds the rocks like a master craftsman. Other still soft metalwork of the route appears.

The area is forested and cool, hiking conditions are ideal. The first place where we cross on the opposite bank is or rather was a resting place, now partially destroyed. I want now to dispel your fear. If you hike the trail at the weekend it is very busy and then wild animals are not in sight. However, if you make noises (whistles) and talk in a group, the bears won't get in your way. They're on theirs, we're on ours. After a very short rest, we're on our way again. From now on there will be more traverses from one side of the bank to the other, of increasingly spectacular gorges as we get deeper into the upper part of the trail. Sometimes we practice small jumps or bigger steps.

After an hour's walk, we are at the base of a passage that delights walkers. Somewhere ahead of us a good meters above our heads is bridge, arranged above cascade. There is a rock at the bottom, to the right of the path, with a good angle to the bridge and the waterfall - good place for pictures.

2. Pod (930 m) - canyon (930 m)

50 min / difficult / red dot

But what do you see, after you climb up the stairs to the bridge and cross the waterfall, immediately after that it continues with a staircase that climbs almost vertically up the cliff.

Some years ago I was very nervous about the "suspended" trails, but now I had just come a few days from the Fagaras ridge, where I had ticked The Seam of the Sahara, the most technical and difficult marked trail in the country. Courage, my friends! Bulbs and waterfalls, bulbs and waterfalls, superb!

From the bridge, we can see both the high part of the waterfall, below us, who is looking (!), and another smaller waterfall upstream, but very beautiful and nice. I make the next one jealous.

We reach a small lake. We have to get to the left to overtake a passage with shells mounted partially above the water (iuci!). There are two levels of shells, some mounted to hold hands, others to step on. Dad does his batting plan, but also smiles at the photographer, in a position where he has stopped. It's important to only pose or stand still after making sure we are balanced and safe.

After we have dispelled the emotions of this section of the road, I must tell you that there is no point in turning back from here, even if you were afraid at times, you were brave enough and from now on what we hate you will be something ... natural. We enter on a stretch where in the ford there are many stones, large rocks, over which or among which we make our way. At other times, we get closer to the wall of the canyon, because that's the only way, and again we help ourselves with cables and other safety means we meet there. This is what the scene looks like. Super cool and cool! You like it? When did you decide to go to Stan's Valley? The walls through which this paraias has carved its way are high, only the vegetation is mitigating their grandeur. There are more and more obstacles to come, but right now we're eager to see what tests of skill we'll have to pass.

After 30 minutes from the bridge, we arrive at the second most acatarii waterfall. Pictures, again! If we have the waterfall, we obviously have vertical stairs again. Still nervous? Me, yes, but less, because the confidence level is much higher than with the first ladder. The waterfall seen above, and to the right of the waterfall you see again a dizzying staircase. We still have a heavy passage, perched high above the haul, not big though, but attention to each step remains the desideratum for the day's success. In some places a toothpick or a cable is missing, so everyone has to calculate their steps according to their own possibilities.

After about 50 minutes from the bridge, we're at the last special point on the route. The canyon.

3. Canyon (930 m) - dam - Călugărița (1.050 m)

Option 1: 70 min / difficult / red dot

Option 2: 70 min / difficult / red dot

The canyon. It's not that we didn't have a canyon before, but now the walls of the locks have come closer together and the sluice covers the entire space from one wall to the other with its bed. When the water level is low, as it is now, this sector can also be crossed by water. Anyway there is the option of a new climbing exercise, anchoring on the left wall of the canyon, the option most tourists opt for. Here's a picture of me so you'll believe I've been there. Or at least to believe me. Last waterfall....

From here we have 2 marked routes to Poiana Călugărița. The first continues on the red dot. A few steps through the woods and we perch on a deserted dam. We are now entering another world. The end of the canyon! But our trip is not over, as we are not going to stay overnight in the bears' homeland. The scenery becomes a classic forest trail and if you haven't tired of stairs and shells, you can do it now because you have to climb about 100 meters up a rather steep difference in level ... to a beautiful sunny and flat glade, ideal place for a lunch break. It's The Monk's glen, situated at 1050 mdm.

The other option is marked with blue stripe and climbs steeply through the forest to the dreata. It then alternates switchbacks and climbs, also through the forest. Just before Călugărița I also experienced the surprise of meeting the bear.

The bear was about 20 meters away from our group, a little further up the trail. He showed no intention of coming toward us or the marked trail. He looked at us, we looked at him. We proceeded cautiously in a compact group, with whistles and sounds. The bear went on its way.

4. Poiana Călugărița (1.050 m) - Călugărița waterfall (870 m) - Vidraru dam (800 m) - closing circuit (750 m)

2 h / easy / red dot

After a well-deserved break of sandwiches, fruit, bars, we start our descent through the forest that will take us to the road cut by the right bank of the Vidraru dam lake, called DN7D (!), but unpaved. Shortcuts can also be used. Attention! In the forest DN, as I don't know how to call it better, turn right.

On the right hand you can also see Călugărița waterfall, I didn't take it from the best angle, but I was too lazy to return to the optimal position. Unfortunately when cars pass by, layers of dust will settle on our sweaty faces.

On Lake Vidraru there are boats and other smaller boats, and fishermen are practicing their mastery. We pass through the first tunnel, the one before the dam where we find the asphalted road (DN 7C) but also a real roadblock. We admire Vidraru dam and continue down the road for another kilometer to our cars.

On the road, we met the "Real Santa Martin", who was sitting at the table and watching the crowded traffic on the Transfagarasan.