Retezat Mountains are located in the western of the South Carpathians, being known by varied flora and myriad lakes.

Retezat

Pietrele-Bucura Lake

Google Static Map

GPS Coordinates:
45.36520 N, 22.87245 E

Duration: 3 - 4
Length: 7 km
Height difference: +750 m / -200 m
Note: Recommended on summer

The track starts at Pietrele and ascends into the woods. In five minutes time we meet another road sign. Turns left:

Pietrele - Vârful Mare

Another long ascent, then a clearing, with a spring nearby. We keep climbing in the direction of the juniper firs. We cross Pietrele creek and now have to fight a more demanding ascent.

We go by large rocks and arrive at a large rock called Bordu Tomi.

We cross Pietrele creek again, and keep climbing until we reach lake Pietrele. We cross between two rocks in Bucura saddle and soon arrive at the ridge. The panel says: Curmătura Bucurei (2206m), there's a view on Bucura and the surounding lakes.

In the Bucura saddle we also meet the ridge route sign

Baleia - Vârful Mare saddle Porțile Închise (Vârful Mare saddle - Peleaga saddle)

Our track descends to lake Bucura. We find new route signs at Bucuretu (2070m.):

L. Bucura-Câmpul lui Neag L. Bucura - L. Zănoaga Pietrele - Lolaia - Retezat

Next crossing at the threshold between lake Bucura and the other lakes:

Bucura lake - Custura peak To the Zănoaga lake, Gura Apei

We follow the red cross route sign, which goes right and arrives at lake Bucura

Pietrele, Photo: Alexandru Moțoc On the way to Gentiana rest-house, Photo: Cătălin Lucan
On the way to Gentiana rest-house, Photo: Fănică Bota On the way to Gentiana rest-house, Photo: Radu Dârlea On the way to Gentiana rest-house, Photo: Radu Dârlea Gențiana hostel, Photo: Cătălin Lucan Gențiana hostel, Photo: Radu Dârlea On the way to Bordul Tomi, Photo: Cătălin Lucan Through the junipers, Photo: Marian Ghibu Through the junipers, Photo: Nicolae Petrescu We cross the stream, Photo: Marian Ghibu
The Bucura 2 peak in the background,, Photo: Mihai Bursesc Rhododendron, Photo: Marian Ghibu On the way to lake Bucura, Photo: Mihai Bursesc Bordu Tomii, Photo: Fănică Bota On the way to lake Bucura, Photo: Sorin Nicolas Pietrele lake, Photo: Cătălin Lucan Bucura peake, Photo: Sorin Nicolas One can also acces Bucura saddle from the main ridge, Photo: Gianina Stepan Bucurei valley, Photo: Cătălin Lucan
To the Bucura saddle, Photo: Cătălin Lucan To te Bucura lake, Photo: Sorin Nicolas Bucura lake, Photo: Cătălin Lucan Descent to lake Bucura, Photo: Radu Vadan Bucura lake, Photo: Radu Dârlea Road fork on Bucuretu peak, Photo: Marian Ghibu Bucura lake, photo: Marian Ghibu, Photo: Marian Ghibu Bucura lake, Photo: Radu Dârlea Tents at lake Bucura, Photo: Radu Dârlea
Bucura lake, Photo: Mihai Bursesc Bucura lake, Photo: Marian Ghibu Horses, Photo: Marian Ghibu Tents near Bucura, Photo: Radu Dârlea Bucura lake, Photo: Mihai Bursesc Rhododendron, Photo: Marian Ghibu Bucura lake, Photo: Fănică Bota

Share Pietrele lodge - Bucura lake hiking trail, Retezat mountains

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn