Hiking the Piatra Mare and Seven Ladders Canyon in Romania

The Seven Ladders Canyon is carved from the Șapte Scări Brook from the Piatra Mare mountains, it is located south of the Timișu village in the Romanian county of Brasov and is the most popular tourist attraction in the Piatra Mare Massif. Each waterfall has a ladder leading to another one and there are seven of these ladders - The Seven Ladders Canyon, get it?

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The receptionist at a hostel where I stayed at recommended the trail and stated it could not be completed within 5 hours unless you are really determined. It is a mountainous region with mountainous trails so proper attire and equipment like hiking boots/shoes are required - which I didn't have at the time so I was to do with regular walking shoes.

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I invited a couple of my hostel mates to do the hike with me, Kevin and Bryan (both from the U.S.). We hailed a taxi for well under $10 (between the 3 of us) to take us to the trailhead. It's a little over 40 minutes from the center of Brasov and drive there was fairly pleasant with good views.

YOU REALLY HAVE TO SEE THE IMAGE BELOW LARGER. CLICK ON IT!

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At the trailhead, there was a fair amount of caution posted all over the place. It was all in Romanian and we could not understand any of it. I think it was there to make it seem more dangerous than it is. I've hiked way more dangerous trails than this!

The trail is kids and family friendly so getting stuck behind a swarm of pupils along the way up the mountain is extremely common. In better weather, there is zip liner available for 50 RON so that you can hike up to near the summit and then zip line your way back down the mountain dodging pine trees along the way.

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The waterfalls were not at all impressive, but the gorge is stunning and is unique enough to more than compensate for the boring waterfalls. There is a 10 RON entry fee for the road and it takes about one hour finish the canyon section of this part.

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The ladders are slippery but there are handrails to keep you balanced. You should not have any problems climbing up and finishing the canyon portion of this trail. Once past this canyon people either turn around or take an exit trail to go back to the trailhead because from here on, the adventure begins.

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The trail past the canyon towards the Piatra Mare chalet is steep but nothing crazy like the other trails I have completed in the Eastern Sierras, California. The average altitude is are around 980 meters, not high, nor striking, but the vistas are magnificent.

From there you can make your way back down the same path you return to the canyons or pick a different route. Both lead to the identical spot. Going the other way is simpler as the road has no carved canyons, it is only an old fire road that is muddy and wet.

Yellow markers take you up higher into the hills and observing the red markings take down you. Every few steps you will find markers which makes it impossible to get lost.

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After completing the trail we made stopped for a couple pints (and litter) of beers at a store near the trailhead - In Romania, the beers are super cheap, less than $2 per 2 litters! Here we met a wonderful couple and they were kind enough to give us a return to Brasov.

I recommend this hike if you are ever in Brasov. I know most tourists are only there for Bran Castle but if you tire of vampires, know that magnificent and spectacular views of the Carpathian mountains await you just around the corner.

TREK THE SEVEN LADDERS CANYON TO PIATRA MARE MOUNTAIN

• The trailhead is 2.5 hours from Bucharest by car.
• It's 15 minutes from Brasov.
• Entrance fee is 10 RON.
• Moderate Hike to the Top.

COST BREAKDOWN:

• Taxi from Brasov to the Trailhead - $2 (per person, $6 split 3 ways)
• Entrance fee to the park - $2.5
• Breakfast at hostel - free (included)
• Lunch - $2
• Dinner at Hostel (cooked myself) - $1.50
• Hostel Per Day - $14
• 1.5-liter beer - $2
• TOTAL: $24

Have you trekked the Carpathians?

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain

^{All photos are taken and articles are written by Adonis Villanueva of Always Wanderlust unless otherwise stated.}

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