Vf. Vânturarița Mare and Buila, Buila-Vânturarița Mountains

1. Pahomie hermitage (850 m) - Stevioara St. (1.400 m) - Stevioara Saddle (1.790 m)

3 - 4 hours / blue dot / difficult

Start from Pahomie Hermitage for our large group of 16 amateurs. A few hundred meters after the hermitage a visible signpost marks the actual entrance to the trail. We appreciated that in addition to the estimated duration of 4 hours, it is mentioned that it is a difficult, steep trail, forbidden in winter,

After only a few steps we stumble upon a captured spring, Pahomie Spring, reminder of the water supply, especially as I didn't see another source of water until I came out of the ridge, although it should still be an option near Stâna Ștevioara.

We climb quite seriously from the start, but in the cool of the forest it is a pleasure. Some pick mushrooms, others herbs, but we all blow harder and take several regrouping breaks.

After 2 hours, near 1400 meters above sea level, we leave the forest. In the wide clearing we see the construction of the former Stâne Ștevioara. From now on the sun will smile directly at us or, to rephrase, beat us on the head. The hats, the bandanas are doing their job. As always, we enjoy everything that lives around us, first bugs and flowers. In the valley, a few cars can be seen parked in a clearing. We've climbed something! To the right appears the unmistakable Ciuha Mare Peak in the Cozia Mountains, which we recognize by the antenna on the summit. We can also see the peaks at the end of the Capatanii Mountains, from Olanesti. And acres and acres of forest at the foot of the mountains all the way to the Subcarpati.

The slope's rising again, but the fact that we can see to the right Vanturarița Mare Peak gives us the strength to take even small steps towards it. The marker must be followed very carefully. Soon it looks as if we've reached the ridge. Partially true! To the front left, we are also shown Buila PeakWe are still a little way to the saddle between the two summits, the flags of this massif.

It really was a sustained climb of 1,000 meters difference in level, a route that many prefer to descend. It's obvious that ahead of us must appear The Stevioara Saddlewhich also marks the intersection with the ridge trail.

2. Șaua Ștevioara (1.790 m) - Vânturarița Mare Peak (1.885 m)

45 minutes / red stripe / easy

As the terrain also became flat and the mapy map encouraged us, we shortened the route a bit by turning right at the front to get into red tapethe classic ridge marker. We're on the ridge. We've gone very well past the fort. 3 hours instead of 4 as it said on the sign at the bottom.

Next to The Stevioara SaddleFrom where we connected to the red stripe, new horizons opened over the ... fence, towards the main and long ridge of the Capatanii Mountains, of which Buila - Vanturarita is part. The deep valley of the Costesti river separates Buila Vanturarita from the ridge line of the Capatan Mountains.

From here, the Buila Peak is clearly visible on the left and the Vanturarita Mare Peak on the right. In fact up to Vanturarita Mare there is another intermediate peak, but the marked trail leaves it on the right. It is the summit of Ștevioara (1.835 mdm). When we climbed it seemed steep, but see how much higher it is under the ridge on the other side!

After a gentle climb, we reach the highest point of this peak, Vânturarița Mare peak.

3. Vânturarița Mare Peak (1,885 m)

On the summit we also read the famous signpost to Curmatura Oale in the continuation of the ridge over Vioreanu Peak, passing on an exposed and dangerous route, unmarked but marked! From other sources the marking is poor, and orientation difficult on the lip of the ravine.

We are lucky with excellent weather and start the horizon tour on Vânturarița Mare peak (1.885 mdm). On the right, in the distance, with traces of snow, the Fagaras Mountains, closer the Cozia and Capatanii Mountains. On the left, on the horizon, the Retezat Mountains, also with patches of snow, and a little further ahead, as if they were in a package, the Parang Mountains, with snow patches. Nearby, the whole ridge of the Capatanii Mountains with the peaks of Negovanu, Nedeia, Ursu and closer to Govora and Zmeuret. Yes, I have listed the peaks of Capatanii and I have not honored with the presence of the distant ones that are over 2.500 mdm, but we will tell about them this year.

A moment's rest.. 15 minutes, on top, I deserve it.

4. Vânturarița Mare Peak (1.885 m) - Șaua Ștevioara (1.790 m) - Buila Peak (1.849 m)

45 - 60 minutes / red band / easy to medium

We part at the highest peak of these mountains, Vânturarița Mare peakwith a strong desire to return to this place.

We quickly descended into The Stevioara Saddle the same route we came up. Now we pass right at the point where the marked routes intersect.

We continued ahead in a gentle climb, through a small jnepenis, towards Buila Peak.

5. Buila Peak (1,849 m)

Off Buila Peak we once again have the 360-degree perspective. First we admire Vânturarița Mare peak from which we just came. The scenery that opened up towards the descending part of the Builei ridge is spectacular, with steep walls towards the Costesti Valley. On a sheltered alpine meadow below the summit, we break for lunch and regroup. An almost interminable break of an hour and a half followed in the shade of a cloud that shielded us from the sunstroke.

6. Buila Peak (1,849 m) - Curmătura Builei (1,560 m)

45 - 75 minutes / red stripe / easy

Let's go! We're climbing Buila Peak. Bookmark red tape appears on stones through the grass. You can't really go wrong if the visibility is good, you keep the ridge slightly downhill. The surrounding scenery is nice. We pass the Albu Peak and start a descent through some spectacular cliffs, down into the deep hollow called Bend of the Bulbul. Two shelters, one dismantled, the other in good condition. What a wonderful place!

7. Curmătura Builei (1,560 m)

We make a new grouping in Bend of the Bulbul. Let's take a look at The shelter Curmătura Builei. But also the surroundings. Continuing along the ridge there is a superb chimney, which we photographed, even though we won't be going through it, but also some impressive rocky peaks. We admire the dandelion meadow from ground level.

8. Curmătura Builei (1.560 m) - 2nd branch with yellow point (1.000 m)

1.5 - 2 hours / blue cross / medium

We will leave the ridge .... We begin the great descent from Builei Curvature from 1,560 to under 1,000. There are two variants marked blue cross and yellow dot. The two start together, split a little further down and come together again. With the mapy map in hand I scanned the skies and even spotted the shorter route - the one with the yellow dot - but which crosses an exposed area.

We change the direction we came 90 degrees to the left in an obvious descent along an opening valley. The indicator gives us 2 hours to Patrunsa Hermitage. We enjoy the blossoming trees, but especially the spring, with cold water, which comes out in a few minutes. It is Otărăului Spring. Some comrades were on "empty". I honestly didn't like the taste of water from this spring even though I drank about 1 liter of water here.

Below the spring, where we cross a dry stream, the two paths split, but the place is not marked. You can see that one path goes half left and climbs up a rocky wall, it is the one with the yellow dot, and another well marked with a blue cross continues and soon enters the forest. Watch out for this fork if you want to opt for the spectacular route in good weather!

Our path goes continuously down through the forest and doesn't raise any obstacles. I whistle from time to time because that's how it is in the forest.... After 50 minutes we emerge in a bright glade, where we regroup, and pose. A little further down we meet again yellow dot marking.

9. Branch (1.000 m) - Pătrunsa Hermitage (1.010 m)

15 minutes / yellow dot / easy

From the well-marked branch, we continue on yellow dot, which we follow from this point to the left at a sharp angle. We are already at the level of the hermitage, but a little lower. On an almost flat path we head through the forest to the Patrunsa Hermitage.

10. Pătrunsa Hermitage (1,010 m)

Patrunsa Hermitage it's a monastic settlement with many buildings set in a meadow. I've met several donkeys. A place where we and the butterflies enjoy the flowers.... We also entered the church built in such a nice and quiet place.

11. Pătrunsa Hermitage (1.010 m) - Pahomie Hermitage (850 m)

1.5 hours / red cross / easy

To the cars we follow at first a path, then a wide forest road. We walk for about 5 km on the signpost red cross.

Pahomie Hermitage - the end of our beautiful tour! We say goodbye to Buila Vanturarita