Trascău Fortress, Trascău Mountains

Colțești (600 m) - Trascăului Fortress (730 m) - Colțești (600 m)

Access

The starting point for this hike to the Trascăului Fortress, Trascău Mountains, also marked on the map inserted in the article, is in Colțești, Alba County, which can be reached by car in an hour from Alba Iulia via A10 and DJ107M. From Cluj-Napoca it is 64 km, which can be traveled in 1 hour and 15 minutes via DN1, DN75 and DJ107M or via DJ107R and DJ107M.

About hiking

This is an easy hike, accessible to all people willing and able to exercise, from children to the elderly. The view of the fortress from below, as well as the view from the top of the fortress overlooking Colții Trascăului, Piatra Secuiului and Cheile Vălișoarei is rewarding for the effort required to complete the trail.

Route map

(click on objectives for extended version)

Technical box

Difficulty: easy

Duration / distance: 1-1,5 hours / 2,5 km

Mark: blue triangle / unmarked / blue triangle

Water sources: none

Minimum altitude: 600 meters at the start

Maximum altitude: 730 mdm, at the fortress

Level difference: +130 m / -130 m

Comments: partially unmarked route, if following short cuts, very busy; accessible all year round

1. Colțești (600 m) - Trascăului Fortress (730 m)

30-60 min / 1.0 km / medium / blue triangle, unmarked

The easiest and recommended way up is to follow the blue triangle. But there are several shortcuts, which are quite obvious if visibility is good. The shortcut we approached climbs more straight up, then goes flat, then up, then straight again, and the last climb is steep among limestone cliffs. The last part of the shortcut can be avoided by returning to the marked path. The ruins of the fortress are permanently in front of us, and behind us the village of Colțești and Piatra Secuiului.

Trascăului Fortress seen from the starting point

I am on

the path that climbs visibly to the right is the shortcut

on the shortcut

fall weighing

last climb

the shortcut climbs steeply

we arrived at the fortress

2. Trascăului Fortress (730 m)

Trascăului Fortress is located 3 km west of Colțești and 5 km southwest of Rimetea. It stands on the hill near Colțești and is a landmark visible from a distance. It is the oldest preserved architectural monument in Transylvania. Trasca Fortress was built by the Thoroczkay family in the 13th century both as a habitable fortress and as a refuge. From Trascăului Fortress there is a superb view of the Vălișoarei Gorges, the village of Colțești and the famous Piatra Secuiului, with its far end the Trascăului Hills.

Tusk

The Vălișoarei Gorges

citadel window

a tower that remains almost intact

Colții Trascăului (left) and Piatra Secuiului (to the right of the saddle)

probably a former tower

3. Trascăului Fortress (730 m) - Colțești (600 m)

15-30 min / 1.5 km / easy / blue triangle

On the way back we follow the trail marked with a blue triangle. We first go down to a clearing with a signpost, and then the road descends smoothly down to the village, the markings are rather lacking, but the way is clear and you cannot get lost.

get off!

marked footpath

we are moving away from the city

the way is clear though rarely marked

we descend among the cows

Piatra Secuiului seen from Colțești

Autumn at Trascăului Fortress

Conclusion

Climb to Trascăului Fortress, Trascău Mountains, for an easy hike and a marvelous view of the Secuiului Stone, the Vălișoarei Gorges and the village of Colțești.

All the best!

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