Trekking Through Seven Ladders Canyon And Conquering Piatra Mare Peak

Piatra Mare Massif is located south of the Brasov Depression. It’s well known in Romania for it’s many tourist trails, steep slopes and perfect spots for panoramic views. It’s highest peak, also called Piatra Mare, is 1843m. Reaching it is not really a walk in the park, it requires time and effort, but I guarantee that in the end it’s all worthed.

To start your quest to conquer Piatra Mare Peak, you first need to cross the Seven Ladders Canyon and then follow the trail marked with yellow and white stripes.

You’ll have to walk through the forest for about 5 hours, but there will be so much going on in your surroundings, that you can’t get bored. You’ll see small streams with cold, fresh water, joyful birds in the trees and delicate flowers on the ground.

Be prepared for when you reach the top, that’s when the real magic begins. You’ll find yourself standing on a beautiful arctic plateau, with a wide view of the city Brasov.

On the same plateau, there is a wooden chalet (Piatra Mare Chalet), where you can find accommodation and a hot meal. The surrounding meadow is populated with some very friendly donkeys, that are strolling without care among people.

After you rest for a while in this fairytale scenery, you can really conquer Piatra Mare Peak. Be careful though, getting to the very top can be a little challenging.

Now, for the way back I recommend another trail, that is secretly hiding one of the best views I’ve seen so far. First, you have to find the white and red trail marking, and start to follow it.

At one point you’ll see that the paths are splitting and a sign will notify this with a trail map. Now look around for another trail marking: a white and blue triangle.

Follow it until you reach a dead-end cliff. This is called The Bear’s Chasm. It’s a place of extreme beauty, I could stay for hours just staring at the steep walls of rock and admiring the heights.

To be fully honest, standing here, at the very edge of this abyss, I could only think about how all my actions so far led me to this moment. It was something I’ve never experienced before at this level. My heart was racing, my legs were shaking, but my mind was frozen observing the greatness of what nature can make.

Now return on the old path, and keep following the white and red trail marking, until you reach the Seven Ladders Cabin. If you have the time and you are still feeling adventurous, you can go all the way down on a series of zip lines.

You have now reached the end of the day. It’s time for a cup of hot tea and a good night’s sleep :)

Are you a fan of exploring new mountain trails? What do you think about this one day getaway? Tell me all about it in the comment section below!