Sihla Hermitage was built in 1725 as a tribute to St Teodora that lived for almost 40 years in a simple cave nearby. After we take one more look to the valley where Sihla Hermitage is located we start our pilgrimage: the trail twist itself between big boulders and reaches St Teodora Cave. We stop for a minute to say a prayer. After that our journey continues on the dirt road that goes to Sihastria Monastery.

Google Maps description of the route

We walk about 2 km before we see the sign that lets us know that it’s time to go back into the forest. The hike of 1,5 km to Daniil Sihastrul Hermitage begins with crossing a small bridge. This is the only way to reach this place: by foot. White crosses, carved into the trees by monks, guide our steps to the hermitage.
The trail is easy to follow and is well marked and organized with wooden benches. Towards the end the vegetation turns into an incredible sight. We reach a place where everything from boulders, roots, trees and even the trail is covered in moss of an incredible fresh green.

After that the trail descents to a spring called “the Healing Spring” (“Izvorul Tamaduirii” locally) where you can drink fresh water. From here we can see the entrance into the hermitage. A last effort and we are there. This remote hermitage was built with the help of believers that carried the construction materials with their hands.

Even now the food is carried with the help of a small donkey. At Daniil Sihastrul Hermitage live and pray 5 monks. Life in this remote place, accessible only by foot, it’s not easy. That is why when you come to visit this place respect the forest and these people that are always happy to receive visitors and also offer you a place at their table.

After few km of hiking through the forest we reach Barnadu village, located at the base of Ciurgau Peak on the ridge that separates Sugau valley from Bardos valley. The wooden houses built in a pure traditional way respect the local architecture of mountain villages from Moldova. The scenery that surrounds Barnadu village is of rare beauty. You can’t overlook that each morning these people weak up and see Cheile Sugaului and Criminisul Peak or Hasmasul Mare Peak.

The route on Google Maps

The road goes through the small houses, near the small church and exits Barnadu village at the foot of Ciurgau Peak. For now the trail seems to spare us of an abrupt hiking and takes us around the peak. From there we can see the entire Barnadu village in the valley, Hasmasul Mare Peak and on the opposite side Jidanului Mountain and on our left Ciurgau Peak.

Our path continues in a twisted shape through Lapos Peak, goes near a sheepfold and after that into the forest until it reaches the place called “Poarta Laposului” (Lapos Gate). The hike is not difficult: only the heat works against us. From Cheile Bicazului to Vithovos stone there are about 12 km. Along the way Vithovos peak appears and disappears behind the hills just like a rock in the middle of a stormy sea.

Before we reach the base of the peak we have a final ridge to cross: from there we see Ceahlau Mountain and Highes Peak. The plains that surround Vithovos peak are filled with cow herds and sheepfolds. We recommend to approach quietly, to great the shepherd and if you are too far to talk to him do not run and do not try to fight back the dogs.

After few hours of hiking we reach the base of Vithovos Peak. The trail is steep and marked with colored lines. Once we reached the top we saw the beauty that nature created around this rocky peak during millions of years. Because of a storm that was approaching we were forced to leave. The returning path goes to the right, descents the hill and reaches a dirt road. At some point this dirt road will intersect with Lapos Creek.

Cheile Bicazului (850) –Barnadu village –Ciurgau Peak (1412) – Lapos Peak (1437) – „Poarta Laposului” (Lapos Gate) – Saua Vithovos – Vithovos (circular route). The returning path goes along Lapos Creek. The time necessary to make this route is between 7 and 10 hours. The starting point is located in Neamt County and Vithovos Peak in Harghita County.

To reach Cuejdel Lake there are two access ways: either by car to the lake or by car to a certain point and then on foot. If you want to reach Cuejdel Lake by car you go from Piatra Neamt to Targu Neamt and you make a left at Cracaoani commune on a dirt road towards Cracaul Negru and Magazia.

Location of Cuejdel Lake on Google maps with access routes

If you choose to hike to Cuejdel Lake, which is also our recommendation, you’ll go by car from Piatra Neamt to Garcina commune and Cuejdel Village. At some point the asphalted road will end but you keep driving on a dirt road until you’ll see a sign that says “Lacul Cuejdel 2km” (it means 2 km to Cuejdel Lake). That is the point where you get out of the car and you start hiking.

The green grass, the flowers that seem to overflow the fields, the powerful blue sky form a perfect picture for you to admire while you hike to Cuejdel Lake. After that the road takes you into the dark pine tree forest where the sun rays struggle to find their way through the thick branches of the trees.

Your only companion on this road is a creek that flows along the trail. The sound of the water is like a strange song of the forest and the beauty of the path which looks like a tunnel covered by trees makes you forget about the time. Soon, in front of your eyes you’ll see Cuejdel Lake.

Located into the heart of the forest, in a wild scenery, Cuejdel Lake presents a rare beauty where hundreds of tree trunks are pointing out from the water like an unknown menace. Because of its shape, Cuejdel Lake is also known as the Cross Lake. This place is a natural reservation protected by law from 2004.

As a tourist you can hike around the lake on the dirt road that flows along the water surface. Nature worked hard on this place and you can see the results in a breathtaking scenery. Reed groves, an abandoned raft, small trees grouped in strange shapes, roots: the entire area is an amalgam of impressive elements.

The hike around Cuejdel Lake makes you wonder: how does the lake look at dusk or at dawn? For a person passionate about photography this place is like heaven on Earth. It doesn’t matter when you arrive at Cuejdel Lake, in the morning, in the evening, in the middle of the day, during spring or during fall, you’ll always come back with a pleasant memory and a great photo.

In your hikes try not to disturb the nature. This unique place from Romania deserves to be protected in order for future generation to enjoy that spectacular image of Cuejdel Lake.

The hike will start in front of Izvorul Muntelui chalet. After you look one more time at Dochia chalet, anticipating the moment when you’ll be on top of Ceahlau Mountain, you take your backpack and start walking on the road that goes from Izvorul Muntelui to Durau Resort. After the first curve to the right you’ll see the first red line markings.

The trail will cross the car-road two more times before entering into the forest of beech and fir. Shortly after, on your left you’ll see Maicilor Creek. After an hour you’ll have to cross it at the base of Jgheabul Armenilor Gutter. The trail goes up and it doesn’t take too long to reach Poana Maicilor Plane. You continue to hike through the plane until you’ll reach the steel pillar that marks the point where you enter the forest again.

Once you reached that pillar we recommend taking a moment to admire the scenery. For that purpose go along the ridge until you’ll reach an old sheepfold. From there, looking back to the forest you’ll see the entire Ocolasul Mic Stone Wall. If you also have with you a person that knows the mountain and the stones you’ll see starting from your left: the stone “Turnul lui Butu si Ana” (The Tower of Butu and Ana) (the locals also call it Budu or Budei), the stone „Asezatoarea Oilor”, the stone „Caciula lui Ciuperca”, Vanturis Peak, the stone „Matura Vrajitoareai” (Witch Broom), Jgheabul Armenilor Gutter. These are only few of the stones that have names in Ceahlau.

After that you continue the hike and after few twists in the trail you’ll reach the base of Jgheabul Clailor Gutter. The trail has on the right Vanturis Peak and on the left the stone “Caciula lui Ciuperca”. Once you reach the top of this portion you’ll see two pointy rocks that seem to go straight from the ground. These stones are called “Claile lui Miron”. After that the trail reaches a plane and on the far side you can see a rock formation called “Masa Dacica”. The trail goes through the right and not after long enters in the forest again.

The trail descents a while after going up again. At some point the slope becomes steeper and you climb with two big stones on both sides of the trail: the stone “Piatra Lata din Ghedeon” (on the right) and the stone “Piatra Viperei” (Viper’s Stone on the left). From here you’ll reach the camping from Dochia Chalet and after 15 minutes you’ll reach the top. From here the view is spectacular: now you can rest a while and admire Ceahlau Mountain in all its beauty before descending back to Izvorul Muntelui.

The trail to “Pestera Tunel” (The Tunnel Cave) starts at the entrance in Cheile Bicazului, on the right, where Cheile Sugaului – Munticelu Reservation starts. The trail goes up to Ecolog Chalet and continues to climb with Piatra Glodului Stone Wall on the right. As you go higher the scenery becomes wild and spectacular: the rocks with strange shapes and impressive proportions guard the trail on both sides. In the upper part of the trail you start to see the crack in Piatra Glodului stone wall: the place where the entrance in “Pestera Tunel” (The Tunnel Cave) is located.

The entrance to the cave is guarded by big boulders that you’ll climb like steps. Right at the entrance you’ll feel the cold air that’s coming from inside the cave. The light fades quickly because of the narrow entrance. After few meters you’ll see the light that indicates the exit to the other side. Inside the cave, you’ll see big fallen boulders as a testimonial of the initial event that created the cave. Because of the short length of the cave the light doesn’t fades away completely so you don’t need extra light sources to cross it.

When you’ll exit “Pestera Tunel” (The Tunnel Cave) you’ll be welcomed by the strong sense of Pine trees and the warm sun rays. The trail continues to climb, above the cave until you reach a panoramic point from the top of “Piatra Glodului” Stone: from here you’ll have a great view over Cheile Bicazului. After that, the trail descents through the forest and reaches “Pestera Munticelu” (Munticelu Cave).

The route starts on the road DN 12 C, at the point called “Podul Ungurilor” – “Hungarians Bridge”, located between “Gatul Iadului” (“Hell’s Neck”) and “Pridvorul Iadului” (“Hell’s Hallway”). The route is marked with a yellow line and the first mark you’ll see is on the stone that is at the beginning of the route. From here the route goes straight into the forest and after just few minutes it reaches some wooden bridges that cross Bicaje Creek. After that the trail goes up on the right shore of the creek, along the stone called Piatra Surducului.

Google Map of the route

The scenery from Cheile Bicajelului is spectacular and the rushing waters of the creek smack the stone walls with loud fury. The hike becomes steep and the trail goes to a panoramic point organized above Cheile Bicazului from where you can admire the entire area.

After that, the trail goes down and crosses Cighenilor Creek before it reaches the plane Poiana Surducel and the place called Capraria (a plane full of haystacks). From here you’ll follow the road Drumul Surducului, to the right. At some point you’ll have to cross Bicajel Creek and it’s good to know that in rainy days this can be pretty dangerous because of rising waters.

The trail continues to go up until it reaches a dirt road where you’ll see local houses and touristic pensions. Continue to follow that road until you reach Lacul Rosu Resort. From there, you can return to the starting point on the road DN 12C.

Cheile Bicajelului – the plane Poiana Surducel – the road Drumul Surducului – Saua Verescheu – Lacul Rosu Resort – Cheile Bicajelului (circuit). Marked with Yellow Line. Time to make this route is 3 – 4 hours.