About Tamina Waterfall
Tamina Waterfall is really a chain of five drops, the tallest about 10 m high, which the Valea Pietrei Mici stream makes in a deep cleft in the limestone of the western slope of the Piatra Mare Mountains, at around 1,100 m. It lies above Timișu de Sus, in the valley between Brașov and Predeal, a few kilometres from Seven Ladders Canyon, which it resembles, only smaller and much wilder.
The walls of the gorge, over 50 m high in places, were cut by the water along vertical fissures in the rock; geologists think part of it formed when the roof of a cave collapsed. The surrounding crags, also called Tamina, are a climbing spot with dozens of bolted routes.
A loop with metal ladders, footbridges and chains was built through the gorge back in the 1970s and has not been renewed for a long time. The operator, the Săcele municipal forestry authority, has had a redevelopment plan since 2016, with new walkways and a suspension bridge over the chasm, held up for years by environmental permits: the area is an important corridor for bears.
What you can see
The path climbs a forest road in hairpins through the forest to a spot above the gorge with information boards. From there you drop into the gorge and walk it as a loop: you go in on the right-hand side and climb alongside the waterfalls on rock steps, iron ladders and small bridges, with the water falling a few metres from you into pools carved in the stone. The crossing takes around 20 minutes. The tallest step, about 10 m, is best seen from below, from the bottom of the gorge.
Good to know
The ladders and chains are old, rusty and in places missing or loose, and the rocks are wet: you go in at your own risk, only in hiking boots and without hurrying. Going down on the left-hand side is not recommended. The area downstream is actually called Ursărie, the bear den: bears are common, so go in a group, make noise and set off early so you come down in daylight.
- The tallest of the five waterfalls, about 10 m, seen from the bottom of the gorge.
- The climb through the gorge on rock steps and iron ladders, with the water falling right beside the path.
- The limestone walls, over 50 m high, closing in above the stream in the upper part of the gorge.
- The clearing with information boards above the gorge, looking down into its upper cleft.
- Extending the hike along the blue stripe to the Piatra Scrisă sheepfold and Piatra Mare peak.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Brașov take the DN1 (E60) towards Predeal; about 1 km before Timișu de Sus, after a sharp bend, you will find on the left the barrier of the Tamina forest road and the bus stop of the same name. From here follow the forest road to the right on foot, then the blue-stripe trail up the hairpins, about an hour's climb to the top of the gorge. Brașov is ~17 km away, Predeal ~5 km and Bucharest ~145 km on the DN1. Seven Ladders Canyon, in the same massif, has its own trail, from Dâmbul Morii, closer to Brașov.
Public transport: RAT Brașov bus 810 (Brașov, Roman stop – Predeal) stops at the Tamina stop, right at the start of the trail. Regional trains Brașov – Predeal also stop at Timișu de Sus halt, from where you walk along the edge of the DN1 to the barrier.
- Where to park
There is no proper car park: by the DN1, at the forest road barrier, there is room for 4–5 cars on an unsurfaced patch, according to visitors. The forest road is closed by a barrier, so you cannot drive any higher. Pulling out onto and off the DN1 is on a stretch with bends and heavy traffic, so take care.
- Fees & discounts
Access to the waterfall and the trail is free; there is no ticket office.
- Rules
The gorge lies in the Piatra Mare Natura 2000 site: stay on the path, do not light fires and leave no litter. The ladders and chains are old and in places missing or loose; test each step before you trust it and do not go in during rain, ice or high water. Going down the left-hand side of the gorge is not recommended. Hiking boots are a must; trekking poles help on the steep descent into the gorge. Bears frequent the area: go in a group, make noise, carry a whistle or pepper spray and keep food out of sight. In an emergency call 112 (Salvamont Brașov).
- Facilities
No toilets, drinking water or other facilities at the waterfall · information boards above the gorge · no access for wheelchairs or pushchairs · weak mobile signal in the gorge · shops and guesthouses in Timișu de Sus and Predeal
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