WINTER ASCENT OF RETEZAT PEAK – SNOWSHOE HIKE
HIKE UP THE WILD RETEZAT PEAK IN WINTER – A REAL ADVENTURE WITH SNOW-COVERED RIDGES AND TRAILS FREE OF TOURISTS
JOIN US IN ONE OF TRANSYLVANIA'S MOST BEAUTIFUL REGIONS, THE RETEZAT. BEAUTIFUL SNOWY PEAKS, CRYSTAL-CLEAR STREAMS, GLACIAL LAKES AND NATURE AWAIT YOU. EXPERIENCED IML GUIDES WILL ACCOMPANY YOU – SMALL TEAM, BIG ADVENTURES!
This tour is an excellent opportunity to learn many new winter techniques, build your stamina and grow mentally stronger. Starts will be early in the morning and returns may stretch into dusk, so a headlamp is mandatory.
If you'd like to get to know winter alpine hiking better in the future, or climb higher mountains and summits, this tour could be a great opportunity for you!
I recommend this programme to those who hike regularly and have no trouble covering 1000 metres of ascent a day on snowy terrain with a heavier 10 – 12 kg backpack.
TOUR DIFFICULTY
This is one of the slightly more technical tours: during Saturday's summit day we move on more exposed snowy terrain and steeper slopes, where trekking poles and possibly an ice axe are needed. Good coordination and sure footing are essential. The weather can also affect the difficulty, but you can prepare for that with the right clothing and equipment!
Important! In the mountains many unforeseeable factors can affect the programme (e.g. changeable weather). For this reason I cannot guarantee the success of the tour and cannot accept responsibility for changes. In extreme conditions the guide always decides on changes to the programme or the route!
PROGRAMME
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01
Day one
Friday is all about travel, by carpool. For those leaving from Budapest the meeting point is the Auchan car park in Soroksár at 16:00: 📍 map. Due to the time difference (Romania: +1 hour) we reach the accommodation around 22:30 local time.
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02
Day two
Saturday brings the hardest and most spectacular mountain day of the weekend. Right from the start we climb steeply through dense forest. Above the tree line we step up over huge boulders along the Stânișoara stream, now covered by snow, so we can move faster. Soon we reach the austere beauty of the Stânișoara glacial lake, hidden in the embrace of monumental rock walls and ringed by snow.
From the lake the hard part begins: a tough, steep climb to the range's namesake peak, Retezat (2482 m). In winter the ridge is easier to walk in good snow, and the tour delivers a genuine summit experience. After catching our breath we descend on a different, less technical route.
Distance: 15 kmElevation: 1400 m up | 1400 m downWalking time: 8 – 9 hours -
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Day three
On Sunday morning we drive an hour to the neighbouring Pietrele valley and, before heading home, do a cool-down loop that feels like stepping straight into Middle-earth.
This loop is all about recharging: lush dark-green pine forests covered in snow, as if dusted with thick, soft icing sugar. Two roaring forest waterfalls and the wonderfully atmospheric Lake among the Pines (Tăul dintre Brazi), hidden deep in the forest, are the crowning glory. Although crossing the Pietrele ridge to change valleys gives us a short obligatory climb, the hike is mainly about sparing our legs and enjoying the views.
Expected departure home: 15:00 from the car park, so we can comfortably be in Budapest by 20:00 Hungarian time.
Bonus programme: on the way home we can also visit nearby Corvin Castle (Hunedoara), if time and energy allow.
Walking time: 6 hoursDistance: 14 kmElevation: 800 m up, 800 m down
COSTS
The tour costs HUF 69,000, which includes guiding and organisation.
PAYMENT ON REGISTRATION.
Payment in advance by bank transfer.
Precup Csaba, sole trader
Bank account: 12100011-17482303
Tax number: 90073115 – 1 – 42
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Carpool travel (expected HUF 15,000 – 30,000 per person, depending on the actual group size, fuel consumption and how full the cars are),
Accommodation: EUR 30 – 70, in an apartment.
Travel insurance: around HUF 4,000
Meals are individual, in restaurants and at the accommodation.
EQUIPMENT
Warm clothing suited to the weather!
- rain jacket
- rain trousers (if you have them)
- hiking trousers
- base layer
- mid layer
- hat
- warm waterproof softshell gloves
- neck gaiter
- sunglasses
- sunscreen
- headlamp
- warm jacket (down or synthetic)
- hat
- 35 – 45 litre hiking backpack
- waterproof hiking boots
- trekking poles
- phone
- power bank
- hiking socks
Other accessories:
- snowshoes
- walking axe
- extra clothing
- headlamp
Good to know
Travel
We travel by carpool; those travelling to the venue on their own settle the travel costs among themselves. Those travelling by carpool share the total travel cost (of all vehicles) on average. Drivers and guides do not contribute to the travel costs. The travel cost is split between the passengers of each car, divided by the number of people in the car; the guide and the driver pay no travel costs! If you have a car and driving experience, sign up as a carpool driver!
Weather
Be prepared for changeable, cold wintry weather; wind and snow can come at any time, so bring layered, warm and waterproof clothing and suitable equipment.
Food
During the hikes everyone takes care of their own food: sandwiches, sweet and savoury snacks, chocolate, energy bars. Average meal prices are 40 – 70 lei.
Accommodation
We will stay in simple guesthouses!
Insurance
Participation requires travel insurance covering the whole period, valid for mountain rescue and hospital treatment. Recommended insurer: EUB, extreme sports category eub.hu ↗
Sign up for this tour
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