Sun-Ling had her eye on hiking in the mountains west of Piatra Neamț and after several changes of plan we decided to plant ourselves in Bicaz Gorge (Cheile Bicazului) near Lacul Rosu (Red Lake) with out-the-front-door hiking and perfect onward transport.
After an overnight in Piatra Neamț in a hotel overlooking the bus and train stations we caught a westward 9:10 AM bus and were settled in Hotel Lacu Rosu by 10:45 and standing atop Suhardul Peak a few hours later. Day Two we did a 16km loop of sorts with about 1300 meters elevation gain. The section through Laposului Gorge was spectacular.
Bicaz Gorge is in Bicaz Gorge - Hasmas Mountains National Park. The Gorge is compact with lots of easy (and hard) vertical. Perfect for a base to do multiple day hikes.
Day One.
Heading up the Blue Triangle trail...
...to the top of Suhardul Peak.
The postcard shot: Lacul Rosa with Suhardul Peak behind.
Getting started on Day Two with the Yellow Triangle trail.
Looking again at Suhardul Mic.
Bicaz River.
Walking on the road through Bicaz Gorge (Yellow Stripe trail).
Roadside souvenir stands.
We had to turn around and change our plan as the bridge was out on the Yellow Stripe trail and the water was about 6 inches too high for a barefoot crossing.
Hey Sun-Ling! How about standing out next to that gap in the bridge so I can get a photo?
And then, down the Big Serpentine (switchback) comes a horse drawn cart loaded with hay.
As the bridge was out, plan B was to take the Red Triangle trail up and out of Laposului Gorge.
After several kilometers between facing towers of rocks, Laposului Gorge opens up to high pasture.
And the reward for almost 1500 meters of elevation gain; we spilt an ice cream cake. Woohoo!
GPS track of Day Two hiking.
After an overnight in Piatra Neamț in a hotel overlooking the bus and train stations we caught a westward 9:10 AM bus and were settled in Hotel Lacu Rosu by 10:45 and standing atop Suhardul Peak a few hours later. Day Two we did a 16km loop of sorts with about 1300 meters elevation gain. The section through Laposului Gorge was spectacular.
Bicaz Gorge is in Bicaz Gorge - Hasmas Mountains National Park. The Gorge is compact with lots of easy (and hard) vertical. Perfect for a base to do multiple day hikes.
Day One.
Heading up the Blue Triangle trail...
...to the top of Suhardul Peak.
The postcard shot: Lacul Rosa with Suhardul Peak behind.
Getting started on Day Two with the Yellow Triangle trail.
Looking again at Suhardul Mic.
Bicaz River.
Walking on the road through Bicaz Gorge (Yellow Stripe trail).
Roadside souvenir stands.
We had to turn around and change our plan as the bridge was out on the Yellow Stripe trail and the water was about 6 inches too high for a barefoot crossing.
Hey Sun-Ling! How about standing out next to that gap in the bridge so I can get a photo?
And then, down the Big Serpentine (switchback) comes a horse drawn cart loaded with hay.
As the bridge was out, plan B was to take the Red Triangle trail up and out of Laposului Gorge.
After several kilometers between facing towers of rocks, Laposului Gorge opens up to high pasture.
And the reward for almost 1500 meters of elevation gain; we spilt an ice cream cake. Woohoo!
GPS track of Day Two hiking.
4 comments:
WOW! Looks like there are so many trails to hike, you could spend your whole 90 day visa in this National Park.
Love the contrast of the hay wagon and modern tour bus. Surprised to see the tourst shops.
@Liz, I was very impressed with the braking power of the horse. The switchbacks are steep. I am not sure I can push a brakeless bike down without myself all tangled up with the bike. The horse handled the cart full of hay without any help from his human driver.
99% of the people enjoy the gorge by driving, so the tourist shops are set up where people pull over to take photos.
@Ed, the trails in Bicaz Gorge NP actually are not that long, which are perfect for me, since we only do day hikes, and are not hardcore enough for multi-day backpacking.
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