Geographical structure : Carpathians > Eastern Carpathians > Muntii Rodnei

Pietrosul is the highest mountain in the Muntii Rodnei range. For a long time it was considered the highest mountain in the Eastern Carpathian range, but since the old border between Eastern and Southern Carpathian in the valley of Prahova river was moved to the valley of Dimbovita river, Muntii Bucegi are now the highest range in Eastern Carpathian with few peaks higher than Pietrosul ( Omul being the highest with 2507m ). Pietrosul is located in the north-directed side-ridge in the western part of the mountains. Its north slopes are quite steep descending about 1700m to the Viseu river valley. View from the summit can be quite interesting in good conditions. You can see whole Maramures range to the north as well as mountains on the Romania-Ukraina border. Muntii Tibles are to the west , rest of the Muntii Rodnei to the east and south.
There is a meteo station on the north side of the mountain at about 1770m.

You can visit wooden church in Borsa town built in 1718 and painted in 1765 by Zaharia Zugravu.

Getting There

Viseu valley ( most common starting point ) is in the Maramures county. Starting point for the tour is Borsa, small town in this valley. Directions on how to get to the general area are here.
If you are going by train, you should get to Viseu de Sus and there take a train to Borsa.

By car : For every direction there is only a starting point in the general area where you should get. To get from there to Borsa use the directions in the link above. If you are coming :
a) from the south : Get to Salva.
b) from Hungary : Get to Baia Mare and then to Sacel.
c) from Sighetu Marmatei : Head for Sacel.
d) from the east : Get to Cirlibaba and from there follow the main road to Borsa.

Routes Overview

To climb this mountain you can start in Borsa or make a small detour while crossing the main ridge of Rodei mountains. There are also some more complicated possibilities to get there, but those are not just Pietrosul trips so the info is on Muntii Rodnei page. All marked routes are just walking , no climbing , so good mountaineering boots and typical equipment should be enough in the summer.

1. Starting in Borsa (665m) follow blue stipe trail. Get to the meteo station (1760m) and to the crossroad (cca 2200m), where local blue stripe trail to the summit leaves the main trail. From here it is about 10 min to the summit. It takes about 6-7h.

2.Crossing main ridge : about 3-4h
a) from the west to the east : Shortly after Tarnita Batrinei camping site red stripe trail divides into two, one ( well marked variant ) straight to Tarnita La Cruce saddle and second ( badly marked ) variant following main ridge. Choose the second one and through Vf.Gropilor (2063m) get to Vf.Buhaescu Mare (2119m).There starts blue stripe trail to Borsa. Follow it to the Vf.Rebra (2268m) and to the crossroad where local blue stripe to the summit starts. Follow it to the summit. Then get back to Vf.Buhaescu Mare and resume the red stripe trail to Tarnita La Cruce saddle.
b) from the east to the west : In Tarnita La Cruce saddle choose red stripe variant following main ridge, which leads to Vf.Buhaescu Mare (2119m). Then use the description in a) section.

Red Tape

There are no fees, but Pietrosul is part of Rodnei National Park ( 46399ha ). Also Pietrosul area is in the UNESCO network of world biosphere reserves. Pietrosul Reserve was established in 1932 and currently protects an area of 3300ha.

When To Climb

The mountain can be climbed all year. In winter there could be danger of avalanches on the steeper slopes, in Pietrosul's case north.

Camping

There are no huts in the higher parts of the mountain so if you are planning more than one day trip, you should probably take a tent.

There is some building on the summit which can be used as emergency shelter.

Since the Rodna National Park was created free camping in the Pietrosul area is permitted only in :

Pasul Pietrii
Tarnita Batrinei
near Meteo Station below Pietrosul
in the Intre-Izvoare saddle

Supposedly it is possible to stay at meteo station (about 1700 m) for 2$/night.

There are more accomodation possibilities in the towns of Viseu valley :

1. Borsa (665m)

Hotel Iezer - 64 beds , phone : 0262/343430
Hotel Perla Maramuresului - 54 beds , phone : 0262/342539

2. Moisei (581m)

Motel Capra Neagra - 6 beds , phone : 0262/347115

3. Statiunea Borsa (Turistic center Borsa) (845m)

Hotel Cascada - 128 beds
Hotel Cerbul - 62 beds , phone 0262/344199
Hotel Stibina - 170 beds
Pensiunea turistica Ursul - 26 beds , phone : 0262/343270
Pensiunea turistica Calin - 10 beds , phone : 0262/344262

Mountain Conditions

Weather forecast is only in Romanian.

Mountain Rescue (SALVAMONT) contact is :

Consiliul Judetean Bistrita - Nasaud
Serviciul Public SALVAMONT
Phone : 0263/215503
Fax : 0263/214750
salvamont_bn@yahoo.com
Salvamont Bistrita-Nasaud WWW

Special contacts for different areas of Rodnei mountains :
Salvamont Borsa - northern part, phone : 0262/342322
Salvamont Nasaud - western part, phone : 0740/651941

Maps

This is one of the few maps for sale, and the best one I saw :
Muntii Rodnei ( Rodnei Mountains, Radnai-havasok ) 1:50000 by DIMAP
ISBN 963-202-511-3
It has informations in Romanian, Hungarian, English and German.

It can be ordered here : Dutch and Romanian page.

Acknowledgements

Info about church in Borsa and accomodation in meteo station thanks to wolf2001.

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