Day trip to the Seven Ladders Canyon

Day trip to the Seven Ladders Canyon

The Seven Ladders Canyon (Romanian: Canionul Sapte Scari) is the perfect destination for all of you adrenaline junkies! Conveniently located near Brasov (Romania), you can hike into the canyon just by taking a one day trip. You may ask where does the name come from. Simple: The hike within the canyon is facilitated by a series of metal stairs and platforms. Initially there were seven stairs, hence the name. After its recent and complete restoration back in 2013, two more stairs were added to the track, but the name didn’t change.

Summary

Take note that the Seven Ladders Canyon opens at 10 AM and closes at 6 PM, so plan your trip schedule accordingly. Wear hiking shoes and take a backpack with food and water for the road. Best time of the year to visit it? I would say summer, because it’s a great way to escape the heat of the city, but if you want to see the waterfalls with the highest water volume, plan your visit in spring. The Seven Ladders Canyon is not exactly a destination for kids, but still I’ve seen 10-11 years old completing the track. I wouldn’t recommend it for younger kids though, because there is no special safety equipment for climbing the ladders. Until now, there haven’t been reported any accidents in the canyon so please try not to ruin the statistics. Stay safe!

Dambu Morii – Sipoaia Valley

You start this trip from the village Dambu Morii. Follow the road and then the footpath. The walk takes about an hour.

Road leading from Dambu Morii to The Seven Ladders Canyon
Road leading from Dambu Morii to The Seven Ladders Canyon

Just read the signs and walk along Sipoaia River. Enjoy the view of the landscape, with the steep banks, beautiful waterfalls and green forest. Along the way you’ll see lots of zip lines, available for 50 RON. Keep them in mind on your way back, they’re so much fun!

Waterfall on Sipoaia river
Waterfall on Sipoaia river

Make a stop when you reach a wooden cabin, here you’ll have to pay the entrance fee for the canyon. Luckily, it’s really cheap. Adults pay 10 RON (a little over 2 euro) and kids only 5 RON. Now you’re only 15 minutes away of starting the real adventure!

Hello there human!
Hello there human!

Trekking the Seven Ladders Canyon

At the entrance of the canyon you’ll be greeted by massive stone walls. Take a moment to catch your breath and look around. Prepare for what’s waiting ahead.

The entrance of The Seven Ladders Canyon
The entrance of The Seven Ladders Canyon

The Seven Ladders Canyon is a beautiful limestone maze, with narrow walls, impressive waterfalls and breathtaking heights.

Limestone walls
Limestone walls

The path inside the canyon consists of metal structures (ladders and platforms). They are well anchored in the stone walls, so they are both safe and stable.

Waterfall inside the canyon
Waterfall inside the canyon

If you have fear of heights make sure you hold on tight and don’t look down when climbing the stairs. Also, be extra careful when you reach the highest ladder (almost 15 meters), because the waterfall is so close to it and it’s going to spray water over you. This causes the ladder to be more slippery.

Highest ladder - 15 meters
Highest ladder – 15 meters

After exploring the stone maze, nature will claim it’s rights again. The landscape will go back to being green and luxurious.

After the last ladder another beautiful waterfall awaits
After the last ladder another beautiful waterfall awaits

At the end of the Seven Ladders Canyon  you have two options: Go on a path that takes you back to the wooden cabin (and maybe have some fun with the zip lines on your way down), or keep going to conquer Piatra Mare Peak (1843 meters). What? What’s that? Which way did I go? Of course I kept going! Let’s go together to the top!

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Travel Lexx
7 years ago

Love the ladders and the beautiful waterfalls. Looks like an incredible place to visit! Thanks for sharing!

Lisa
7 years ago

Looks like my kind of travel with lots of hiking. Love hiking around waterfalls and that ladder looks pretty cool too! Save this for future travels, thanks

Paul and Carole
7 years ago

Looks an interesting place to visit but with my fear out heights may cause some difficulties! Great post!

Jenni Petrey
Jenni Petrey
7 years ago

Wow, that looks amazing.

Karen
7 years ago

What an amazing hike! I love the latter and how lush this is!

Eric || The Bucket List Project

This looks amazing! I have to admit that my knowledge of Romania is lacking, the only thing I have on my bucket list regarding it is the obvious Transylvania but this looks like it needs to be added.
So my question is did you go with a group because that looked like a ton of people just day hiking. I mean its probably safer with buddies but was curious about the crowds.

Angie (FeetDoTravel)
7 years ago

This looks amazing, apaaaaaaart from the 15 metre ladder lol, I have a ridiculous fear of heights and ladders which is such a shame, because this looks like such a wonderful hike and I love feeling the spray of waterfalls on my face :-) Thank you for providing so much information though, you have given everything we need to know should we visit (my hubby would love this!) #feetdotravel

Tamshuk
7 years ago

Nice place for adventure lovers. Seems like a perfect outdoor spot for a short and exciting getaway. Love the pictures too

Mimi
7 years ago

I love adventure trips like this so much. going through your whole experience makes me want to get there like now!

Ana Ojha
7 years ago

Oh Boy! The Seven Ladders Canyon looks breathtaking and must be an exhilarating experience! It would definitely make anyone high on the adrenaline!

Paola
7 years ago

Seems to be a really nice natural environment. I would love trekking there. It reminded me a canyon experience I did in Trentino regino, Italy.

Ami
Ami
7 years ago

That is an unusual way of experiencing waterfalls. I definitely would like to try it out, And then of course, zipline down :) Cheers

Carmy
7 years ago

The waterfalls look so beautiful! I love the fact that there’s just a cat hanging out there! How fun. I’m not sure how I feel about the 15m ladder! I would be scared of falling!

Vaisakhi Mishra
7 years ago

The trek looks really adventurous and fun. And the fact that this is totally doable for people who are seasoned trekkers gives more reason to visit :)

Miriam Ernst
7 years ago

Would love to go there, I love the waterfalls views and hiking! It looks like I just added a destination to my bucket list :)

Miriam Ernst
7 years ago

Nature is so beautiful, I love the waterfalls views! Looks like I just added a destination to my bucket list :)

Suanlee
7 years ago

I am glad you kept going as there seems like there was an amazing assortment of things to see. I, on the other hand would have loved to have zip lined! Loads of fun!

Alina Popescu
7 years ago

This place looks fantastic and I’ve always wanted to visit! I should be ashamed of failing so far :D The truth is Romania is an incredible countries with lots to see and I love exploring the places I haven’t seen yet :D

Mika
7 years ago

This looks so cool! I’m afraid of heights, so I don’t know how brave I’d be, but I think for scenery like that I’d try it!

Indrani
Indrani
7 years ago

The hike does look adventurous.
A good detailed post, makes it look very doable too. That is if the ladders are really stable. :)

blair villanueva
blair villanueva
7 years ago

Yay! That’s a very high ladder, perfect adventure with friends, and enjoying the waterfalls. Thank you for sharing us thr beauty of Romania 😊

Tae
Tae
7 years ago

How fun! I love heights so this would be the perfect adventure for me. Of course you went to the top, too, hahah. The waterfalls are stunning :)

Liz
Liz
7 years ago

Another great reason to visit Romania! I love hiking places like this, although I must say it looks just a tad too advanced for me. At the end I’ll probably just take the first option. ;)

Shane
Shane
7 years ago

I am loving the striking waterfall within the canyons! Such natural beauty all around.

Jenn
7 years ago

So many people is going to be confused about the 7step name when there are 9! I guess it can be another way to create some expectation or so. The canyon seems quite nice and those stairs must be exciting! Thanks for sharing!

Tom
Tom
7 years ago

That photo above of the one tall ladder made me jump. I guess Romania doesn’t have the lawsuit problems that many other Western countries have. Neat experience, but I could just imagine one person, halfway up, looking down and freezing..

Punita Malhotra
7 years ago

Adventures are not my cup of tea, but this seems like a great option for those who thrive on adventure. Seven ladders…interesting! I didn’t know that Romania had that kind of variety.

Rashmi and Chalukya
7 years ago

Wow, the pictures are scenic and awe-inspiring. Would love to visit someday

Arielle
7 years ago

This looks amazing! Romania is definitely on my bucket list.

Liz
Liz
7 years ago

:D That looks awesome! That 15 meter ladder looks exciting!