Circuit Oncești - Bătrâna - Găujoara, Cindrel Mountains

Păltiniș (1.430) - Poiana Oncești (1.630) - Cantonul Silvic Muncel (1.650) - Șaua Bătrâna (1.863) - Poiana Găujoara (1.650) - Păltiniș (1.430)

Access

The starting and finishing point of this hike is the resort of Păltiniș, Sibiu County, more precisely the free parking lot next to the ski lift station. Păltiniș is 35 km by road from Sibiu, which takes less than an hour. The pre-rorașene bus line 22 arrives right at the access point to this trail.

About Cindrel Mountains

Cindrel Mountains are geographically delimited as follows:

North: the Sibiului Depression and the Cibin Valley, which separates them from the Lotrului Mountains and the Transylvanian Plateau.
The is: The low peaks that separate them from the Lotru Mountains.
South: Frumoasei Valley, which is a clear natural boundary with the Șureanu Mountains.
West: the Petroșani Depression and the high area that crosses to the Parâng Mountains.

Cindrel Mountains, part of the Southern Carpathians (subgroup of the Cibin Mountains), is characterized by rounded peaks, alpine pastures and glacial lakes (Iezerul Mare and Iezerul Mic), with the highest point at Cindrel Peak (2,244 m). The area is renowned for its pastoral traditions, biodiversity and easily accessible mountain trails.

About hiking

This hike is an easy circuit route that can be hiked by anyone who wants to do a bit of mountain walking.

Route map

(click on objectives for extended version)

Technical box

Difficulty: easy
Duration / distance: 4,5 hours with breaks / 13 km
Markings: blue dot, red stripe, red cross
Water sources: points 4, 10, 12, 13 on the map
Minimum altitude: 1,430 meters above sea level, at Paltiniș, at the trail access point
Maximum altitude: 1,870 meters above sea level, at Bătrâna Peak, point 8 on the map
Level difference: +500 m / -500 m

Comments: well marked trail, accessible all year round

1. Păltiniș chairlift (1.430 m) - Poiana Oncești (1.630 m)

1 hour / 2 km / medium / blue dot

Trail signs (pt 2) are near the parking lot. We will follow the blue dot marker. The trail climbs for a few minutes through the forest, then exits at the ski slope, which it crosses horizontally and embarks on the ascent under the chairlift. This is the only part of the trail with a more consistent, but not steep climb. Before the upper chairlift station, the trail leaves the chairlift aisle and curves slightly right through the forest until it meets a forest road just where it makes a 180-degree turn (pt 3). This is pretty much the end of the day's climbing. We walk along the right side of the loop and come to a very good spring (pt 4). At another bend in the forest road we are on we enter a wide glade, which our trail crosses. It is the Oncești glen above which, on the left, is the Oncești summit, where there are several antennas, but which we will not cross. Snack stop in Poiana Oncești (pt 5).

we climb a few minutes through the forest

start route

a very cool group

we cross the slope

we go right under the chairlift

the sun shines through the trees

turn right

we descend gently to Poiana Oncești

landscaped spring

towards Poiana Muncel

2. Poiana Oncești (1.630 m) - Muncel Forest Canton (1.650 m)

30 minutes / 2 km / easy / blue dot and red stripe

From the signposts at the end of Poienii Oncești, head right and you will follow an almost level passage through the forest on the forest road. We will effortlessly reach another glen, Poiana Muncel, where to the left of the path is Cantonul Silvic Muncel (pt 6). From the right comes the unmodernized Transcindrel alpine road.

Oncești peak

Poiana Oncești

through the forest

Muncel Forest Canton

Poiana Muncel

3. Cantonul Silvic Muncel (1.650 m) - Transcindrel - Bătrâna Peak (ca. 1870 m) - Bătrâna Saddle (1.863 m)

1 hour 15 minutes / 3 km / easy / red lane

Here we leave the blue dot marker which nails a smaller loop than the one we will be traveling. We follow the Transcindrelul ahead on the red band marker and in 10 minutes we pass a waders reserve. We have to be careful as 15 minutes from the canton, the trail leaves the alpine road half to the right, a place marked with a signpost and a trophy (pt 7). We will climb gently but smoothly through the forest to a secondary summit with an alpine goal, marked with a marker, let's call it the Bătrâna summit, the highest point of our route (pt 8). As we came out of the forest before the summit, we took another relaxing break. At the summit followed a longer break. Here is to admire the panorama and to photograph. Ahead is the Rozdești peak, behind which the main and higher ridge of the Cindrel Mountains continues. After the break on the summit we continued to Șaua Bătrâna (pt 9), where there is a trail junction. We can cut short by avoiding the marked junction to the right.

leaving Transcindrelul

signposts

easy walk through the forest

resting place

belvedere from Bătrâna Peak

Bătrâna summit

Sibiu

the Rozdești peak and behind the higher peak of Cindrelului

4. Șaua Bătrâna (1.863 m) - Poiana Găujoara (1.650 m)

45 minutes / 3 km / easy / red cross

We are still in alpine emptiness, passing through a few juniper and juniper trees. A new perspective opens up towards the resort of Paltiniș and the city of Sibiu. We descend steadily and re-enter the forest floor. At some point another high plain appears, the Poiana Găujoara, which we cross on the descent (pt 11). In the middle of it comes from the right the blue dot marker that runs along the smaller circuit that we have reported. From here we also see the relays on the Oncești summit.

Old Saddle

patch of snow in jnepeni

view towards Paltiniș and Sibiu

crossroads

5. Poiana Găujoara (1.650 m) - Nora Hut / Paltiniș Chairlift (1.430 m)

1 hour / 3 km / easy / red cross and blue dot

We re-enter the forest and continue the pleasant descent on the carpet of mist on the wide path. The ground is covered in many places with a thick layer of soft moss. At a bend, where we cross a stream, there's a bench and a log inviting you to take another rest. The path gets busier and busier and we see more benches, indicating that this is a footpath and that we are getting close to our destination. There's another very good spring on the right (pt 14). The path ends at a place marked with a signpost when it crosses the Transcindrelul again, near the Nora Hut, now closed and, I hope, under renovation. Here is also the bottom station of the chairlift and the parking lot where we left the cars this morning.

we go down on the bed of stubble

lots of moss in the forest

good bridge for stopovers

nice November weather

almost there

Nora Cottage (closed)

Paltiniș ski lift station

Conclusion

In conclusion, the circuit Paltiniș - Poiana Oncești - Șaua Bătrâna - Poiana Găujoara - Paltiniș is a complete experience for nature lovers: accessible, varied and spectacular through alpine landscapes, quiet glens and sweeping views of the Cindrel Mountains. We invite you to discover this trail at your own pace, to enjoy the fresh air and the authentic mountain beauty. Plan your adventure now and let Cindrel surprise you!

All the best!

Steps: