Omu Peak

About Omu Peak

Omu Peak, at 2,507 m, is the highest point in the Bucegi Mountains. The summit is a wide, stony plateau, and the figure of 2,507 m is the one at the base of the chalet: the rock next to it rises above 2,510 m, while the survey marker behind the weather station reads 2,504.9 m, which is why sources give slightly different values. The peak lies in Bucegi Natural Park and belongs to the town of Bușteni, in Prahova County, although the borders of Prahova, Brașov and Dâmbovița counties meet right here. It can be seen from the Piatra Craiului ridge and from the Prahova Valley.

Two buildings stand on the summit. The Omu Chalet has more than a century of history: the first stone shelter was built in 1888 by the Transylvanian Carpathian Society (SKV), a wooden chalet burned down in 1911, and today's building was inaugurated on 7 August 1926 and extended in 1936–1937. Next to it is the weather station, where meteorologists work in shifts of 2–3 weeks, taking observations every 3 hours; measurements began in 1927 and the present building dates from 1962.

Information verified on 29 October 2026.

Good to know before you go

Getting there

By car: Bușteni is ~146 km from Bucharest, on the DN1 via Ploiești and Sinaia (~2 hours), ~37 km from Brașov, ~71 km from Ploiești and ~8 km from Sinaia. No road for cars leads to the summit; you climb on foot from Bușteni, Peștera or Padina Chalet, or take the cable car to Babele and walk from there.

On foot: from Bușteni, the yellow-stripe trail via Plaiul Fanului, Poiana Coștilei and Valea Cerbului (5.5–6.5 hours) or the red-stripe trail via Gura Diham Chalet, Poiana Izvoarelor, Pichetul Roșu and the Bucșoiul Mare ridge (6.5–7.5 hours); from Peștera, along Obârșia Ialomiței (2–2.5 hours); from Padina Chalet, via Șaua Strunga and Muntele Strungile (3.5–4 hours, red stripe); from the former Vârful cu Dor chalet, via Cota 2000, Piatra Arsă and Babele (5–6 hours, yellow stripe). The times are those on the Salvamont Prahova list and are approximate.

Public transport: trains stop at Bușteni, on the Bucharest–Brașov line; from the station, the cable car and the starts of the trails are in town.

Where to park

You cannot drive to the summit. Those climbing from Bușteni or taking the cable car park in town, around the lower station, where there are several car parks, some of them paid; on summer weekends they fill up early.

Fees & discounts

There is no entrance fee for the summit. Visiting Bucegi Natural Park costs 10 lei per person (from age 14), with a ticket valid for 90 days, bought online or in cash from the rangers; children under 14 do not pay. The cable car and accommodation at the chalet are paid separately.

Rules

You are in Bucegi Natural Park: climb only on the marked trails, do not leave litter and do not light fires. Do not set off in fog, storms or late in the afternoon. Bring hiking boots, rain gear and warm layers even in August, enough water, a map or the route downloaded to your phone, and a power bank. In winter the trails are closed, and climbing requires winter equipment and experience. Keep dogs close: bears live in the area. In an accident call 112 or Salvamont Prahova (0244 311 922 for information).

Facilities

Omu Chalet, on the summit, seasonal · Omu Peak weather station · no other facilities on the summit · variable mobile signal on the plateau