The route starts in Durau Resort from where the trail goes into the forest. the first stopping point is Fantenele Chalet from where you can admire the rocky look of Ceahlau Mountain, with Toaca Peak and Panaghia stone guarding the top.

From Fantanele Chalet the trail becomes steeper and from time to time the forest will open with some great panoramas toward Durau Resort. During winter the scenery is great and the tall pine trees are covered in snow.

Ceahlau Fantanele winter 2011, Neamt County

The trail will take you to the places called “La morminte”, “Curmatura Arsitei” and “Caciula Dorobantului” from where you’ll have the chance of some beautiful panoramas over Izvorul Muntelui Lake and the surrounding mountains. From “Caciula Dorobantului” Stone the trail goes into the forest and soon you’ll have a great view toward Panaghia Stone.

After that the trail will go around Toaca Peak,, will reach the Weather Station and in the end will stop to Dochia Chalet. The scenery during wither is incredible. The climbing is more difficult than in other moments of the year but once you reached the top the reward is worth the effort.

Walking on this route will guide your footsteps on Bistra creek valley. From here the road goes to the right into the forest until it reaches the place called “Curmatura la Scaune”. The dirt road continues through the forest until it reaches Stanile Plane where you’ll have the chance to admire the south-west side of Ceahlau Mountain, Butu’s Tower Stone and the stone wall of Ocolasul Mare Peak.

Ceahlau Stanile winter 2011, Neamt County

From Stanile Plane, where there is also “Sf Antonie” Hermitage the route continues on the dirt road until the touristic marking directs you into the forest. This is the final part of the trail that will take you to the top of Ceahlau Mountain.

On top of the mountain, the winter images will overwhelm you. You’ll see the peaks of Hasmas, “Pietrele Rosii” Stones and “Magura Grintiesului”. The trail will take you Dochia Chalet and will pass near a stone called “Piatra Lacrimata” (The Weeping Stone – named like this because it looks like a crying man) and near “Stefan cel Mare” Monastery.

After this point the route is marked with a blue triangle placed on orientation pillars. You’ll have to walk on the asphalted road for about 2 km, until you’ll reach an intersection from which the route goes on the dirt road from your left. This is also the point where many tourists prefer to leave their cars.

Izvorul Muntelui chalet (797 m) – Dochia stone (1185 m) – Dochia chalet
Markings: blue dot (from Izvorul Muntelui chalet until the intersection with the asphalted road) and then blue triangle
Difficulty: medium (during hard winters or in heavy fog conditions the upper part of the route can be dangerous)

The trail goes through a valley guarded by Rachitis’s Foot on its left and along Izvorul Alb creek. The scenery is spectacular and soon the valley becomes narrow. At some point you’ll have to cross a small water stream so waterproof boots are required.

You continue to follow the trail that goes through numerous limestone formations until you’ll reach Dochia Stone. Under this stone there is a fresh creek that will help you cool off in hot summer days. You cross Poiana Izvoarelor plane and then you enter the forest on a steep trail.

At some point the trail will exit the forest and you’ll see Toaca peak on your right. The trail twists itself through small pine trees. As you climb, a spectacular view opens behind you with Izvorul Muntelui Lake in the background.

This is the last portion of the route and soon you’ll reach Dochia chalet. A word of caution regarding hiking during winter on this route: the upper part can be dangerous after a heavy snowfall or on thick fog.

This hiking route from Ceahlau Massif is marked since 1936 and it’s one of the first marked routes from Ceahlau. The marking is a red cross on a white background, the time necessary to make this route is about 5 hours and the length of the route is about 7.5 km. Because of its difficulty, the portion after Duruitoarea Waterfall is forbidden during winter.

The hike starts in Duraru Resort, continues near Cailor Plane and then goes into the forest. At some point the trail will cross the asphalted road from Izvorul Muntelui to Durau and continues to climb through the forest until it will reach Vesuri Plane. From here the hike is easy to make and after a descent and a short climb you’ll reach Duruitoarea Waterfall.

Photos of touristic route from Duruitoarea Waterfall to Dochia Chalet

The strong sound of the waterfall can be heard from the distance. The water first drops from 25 m onto a rock and the follows another 5 m drop. Near the waterfall there are a few benches where you can rest and admire this natural beauty. You can also see photos of this route starting from Durau Resort and up to Duruitoarea Waterfall.

The waterfall is located half way up. The portion of route that follows is difficult to make and it’s closed during winter. The trail is framed with wooden railings and goes on a steep slope. After a short level curve, the trail goes up on the edge of Scaius Gorge, twists itself through the trees and reaches the place called Polita Scaius (1400 m). From here you’ll have a spectacular view over Toaca Peek and Piatra Ciobanului Stone.

On this portion of route you’ll need to be very careful not to slip on the roots of the pine-trees. You’ll cross Arinis Gorge and you’ll climb to Polita Arinis where you’ll find three springs and an impressive view over Rarau Mountain, Piatra Ciobanului Stone and Toaca Peek. The trail narrows itself and climbs the last 200 m to Curmatura Piciorului Schiop (1750 m). From here the route is marked using iron poles.

Near Voda Gorge the route intersects the trail that comes from Bicazul Ardelean and then continues towards Piatra Lacrimata Stone and then to Dochia Chalet.

The route can be made on foot from Bicazul Ardelean village to Dochia Chalet or by car to the end of the dirt road that goes through “Poiana Stanile” Plane and then by foot on a 1 hour hike trail to the top of Ceahlau Mountain.

This route is truly spectacular and full of wonderful views, if you decide to make it on foot. Normally the length of 17 km makes it one of the longest touristic routes from Ceahlau Mountain but because of the possibility to drive almost the entire way makes it one of the most used routes to reach the top of Ceahlau Mountain with minimum effort.

Images from Ceahlau: Curmatura Stanile

The hike begins in Bicazul Ardelean village where you make a right (as you’re coming from Bicaz) and continue to follow the asphalt road until the first junction. There you’ll go to the right (the road from the left goes to Highes Peak and Tosorog Cave). You follow the dirt road until you’ll see a sign that will show the dirt road that goes along Bistra Mica creek (the sign will point you to Stefan cel Mare Monastery from the top of Ceahlau Mountain).

Following the dirt road will take you to “Poiana Stanile” Plane where you’ll experience the first breathtaking view over Ceahlau Massif. Starting with Butu’s Tower on the right and continuing with the entire stone wall of Ocolasul Mare, the view is spectacular. Behind you, facing the stone wall, you’ll see St Antonie Hermitage: a religious settlement that seems to be located at the entrance in Heaven.

In “Poiana Stanile” Plane there is also the barrier that marks the entrance in the National Park Ceahlau. From here you’ll have 4 more km to make on the dirt road before entering into the forest. The trail is steep but short and soon you reach the top from where you’ll have another incredible view towards “Gardul Stanilelor” (“Stanilelor Fence”). Continue to follow the trail and soon you’ll see Toaca Peak and “Piatra Lacrimata” Stone. At some point the trail splits: to the left it goes to Stefan cel Mare Monastery and to the right to Dochia Chalet.

If you choose to see the monastery first you’ll have a delay of maximum 15 – 20 minutes but is well worth it. From the monastery to Dochia Chalet you’ll make about 10 minutes.

The necessary time to make this route is between 3h and 3h and 30 min and has a length of 7,5 km. The level difference is about 950 m. From Fantanele Chalet you can also go to Duruitoarea Waterfall by following a yellow triangle marked trail.

This route from Ceahlau Massif is accessible in any season but during winter it’s advised for tourists to be well equipped and extra careful especially near Panaghia Stone and Toaca Peak.

The trail that starts in Durau Resort go through the forest and after few minutes intersects the road that connects Izvorul Muntelui and Durau. After an easy hike that lasts only few minutes starts a steep slope that ends at Fantanele Chalet.

Ceahlau route: Durau – Toaca – Dochia images

Once you reach Fantanele Chalet you’ll have a wonderful view over the entire Ceahlau Massif: Toaca Peak and Panaghia Stone. If you’re tired, the fresh water from Fantanele Chalet will definitely help you get back on your feet.

From Fantanele Chalet the trail goes up in a steep slope and from time to time you’ll pas some great panoramic points that will offer an impressive view over Durau Resort. Shortly after the last steep hike you’ll reach a place called “La Morminte” (“Tombs”) where you can rest for a while. The name of the place comes from the fact that many soldiers died here during World War Two.

From here the trail goes back into the forest but not for too long. The next exist from the forest will be near a pointy rock called “Caciula Dorobantului”. From here you’ll have a great perspective over Izvorul Muntelui Lake and the entire region. From this point the trail becomes calm and soon you’ll see Panaghia Stone waiting for you to pass near it.

It’s a great feeling when you’ll get near this impressive and massive stone that probably has one of the most beautiful legends of Ceahlau massif. After you pass Panaghia the trail will take you around Toaca Peak and will also offer a spectacular view to Ocolasul Mare Peak and the trail “Jgheabul cu Hotaru”.

The last portion of the route is on the top of Ceahlau Mountain and will end at Dochia Chalet where you can accommodate or just rest for a while and enjoy a hot cup of tea before descending.

You can also read about other touristic routes from Ceahlau Massif.