Dâmbău Peak, Ore Mountains

1. Pietrele Caprei (730 mdm) - Cheile Caprei (Feneșului) - Cabana Pop (Feneșasa Valley) (825 mdm)

distance 3,3 km / duration 1 hour / easy / unmarked, then blue cross

We follow the DC173 crossing the Feneșului (Caprei) Valley and then we come back to the right bank of the river that forms in this sector the Feneșului (Caprei) Gorges. At the entrance to the gorge (downstream) are the Caprei Stones (point 2), high vertical cliffs. There are several climbing trails here. After 2.6 km you will find the blue cross marker coming from the right from Lake Iezer (point 4). After another 200 meters we turn left on the forest road Feneșasa (point 5) along the Feneșasa Valley, and after another 0.5 km we reach the point where our circuit starts (point 6).

2. Pop Hut (Feneșasa Valley) (825 mdm) - below Dâmbuțu Peak (1.290 mdm)

distance 2.7 km / duration 1 hour and 40 minutes / medium / blue triangle

We follow the road to the left, but not on the forest road that forms in that direction, but following the new blue triangle marker. The trail climbs steeply at first, then more gently but steadily. This is the section of trail with the biggest difference in elevation on this lap. The trail runs through a not very dense forest. Its upper part was covered with snow. A lookout point appears to the left at some point, but it's not that particular one, where we'll reach later. We reach the ridge at the alpine void and admire the mountains in the distance. At the junction to the belvedere point there is a shelter with an arrow pointing in the right direction. We are at point 7.

3. under the Dâmbuțu Peak (1.290 mdm) - viewpoint Cheile Caprei (1.240 mdm) - under the Dâmbuțu Peak (1.290 mdm)

distance 2 X 0,9 km / duration 2 X 20 minutes / easy / red point

We turn 90 degrees to the left (east) and enjoy the pristine snow on the trail. We continue through the forest, gently downhill, to the lookout point on the cliff. Safety cables are fixed on the last few meters, allowing you to move up to the balcony. Ahead, the Piatra Caprei Peak, and at its base, the Caprei Gorges through which we passed earlier. We are at point 8.

After the 30-minute lunch break, we return along the same ridge trail (point 9). A bear pawprint in the trail catches our attention.

4. below Dâmbuțu Peak (1.290 m) - below Dâmbău Peak (1.325 m)

distance 0.7 km / duration 15 minutes / easy / blue triangle

We walk practically straight ahead along the ridge. To the left, on the horizon, the crest of the Făgăraș Mountains is visible. A few broom sticks stick their heads out of the snow. There's even a cuckoo's bump. Moving on, the view opens out to the left and towards the Cindrel Mountains and then the Parâng Mountains. Before point 10 on the map, we change direction to climb the peak.

5. below Dâmbău Peak (1.325 mdm) - Dâmbău Peak (1.369 mdm) - below Dâmbău Peak (1.325 mdm)

distance 2 X 0,2 + 0,6 km / duration 30 minutes / medium / unmarked, blue triangle

We climb straight up through the snow to reach the maximum altitude of this tour on Dâmbău Peak, at 1.369 meters above sea level (point 11). Now we can see even better the crest of the Southern Carpathians from Făgăraș to Retezat. Under the summit, 2 caves are mentioned on 2 different sources, one is called Peștera Dâmbău, the other Peștera Cântătoare. There are several dolines in the area. We go down the path marked by the ridge and head to the right uned we see a cross and a shelter with some horse shoeing accessories. We are at point 13.

6. below Dâmbău Peak (1.325 mdm) - saddle (1.235 mdm) - Feneșasa Forest - Feneșasa Valley - - Pop Hut (Feneșasa Valley) (825 mdm)

distance approx. 6 km / duration 2 hours / medium / blue cross, unmarked, blue cross

We change the marking. Back to the blue cross. We remain another 600 meters on the ridge, at the alpine hollow, then from point 13 the descent through the forest begins. From the bare saddle at point 14, which separates the Părăginoasa Forest to the west (left) from the Feneșasa Forest to the east (right), there are 2 possible continuations. The marked trail advances in roughly the same direction, slightly to the left, while to the right is a wide forest tractor track. The latter is an unmarked short cut. We take the short cut. The snow gives way to mud, so we have an extra adventure. The forest road comes into the Feneșasa Valley where after meeting another forest road it intersects the marked trail coming from the left at point 15. The map does not show the shortcut between 14 and 15, but the marked path. The Feneșasa valley leads after 1.8 km to the point where the curcurcuit started (point 16).

7. Pop Hut (Feneșasa Valley) (825 mdm) - - Caprei Gorges (Feneșului) - Caprei Stones (730 mdm)

distance 3,3 km / duration 1 hour / easy / blue cross, then unmarked

This last section of the road is the same as the first, only in reverse. We take the final photo near Pietrel Caprei.