Voina – Cuca – Gradisteanu – Papusa

Roundtrip – 18.5km, 1420 m ascent (931 m to 2,393 m).

Depending on the fitness level of the group and of the length of the day it can be done in one day or you can sleep at Cabana Cuca at 1200m and start early the other day.

Why go here: 

• high elevation but non-technical terrain;
• beautiful views, especially the Piatra Craiului to the North-East.

[phgallery type=’google’ view=’photos’ album_id=’AAPn9JfwMXwvj0I6JoFcdl-O71bW03QYXi7MXwKamPMTYyd5sBcMXwfLPW7XnUe_RNIGJedigz_X’ media=’photos’ layout=’strip-below’ thumb_size=’120′ crop_thumb=’crop’ main_size=’1600′ tile_size=’1600′ ]

Starting point:

Cabana Voina, accessible by car on good asphalt all year long.

Route details

From the parking lot, we go north on the gravel road to Cabana Cuca for about 4 km. We follow the Blue Stripe markings.

If you are coming from far away you can sleep the night at Cabana Cuca and do the rest of the route in the next day. The lodge is not always open so it’s better to make a reservation in advance.

From Cuca, we follow the Blue Stripe markings until we reach the Gradisteanu pass.

We keep going uphill until we reach the Papusa Peak – the third highest in the Iezer-Papusa mountains.

We go back on the same route.

Trail Markings: the route is 100% on marked trails, there are no orientation problems even in winter.

Water Sources:

• a spring at Cabana Cuca.

Surface

Up to the Cuca Lodge, we will walk on a gravel road that can also be traveled by a 4×4 car. From there on, most of the trail is dirt and tall grass.

There are no exposed parts with the risk of falling.

Alternative routes:

• You can go down on via Gainatu Mare peak.
• You can continue from Papusa and go down at the Batrana Peak.

Both alternatives are explained here.