About Straja
Straja is a mountain resort in Hunedoara county, set at about 1,445 m in the Vâlcan Mountains, within the municipality of Lupeni, in the Jiu Valley. From Lupeni you reach it on a paved road of about 8 km or by gondola. The place grew out of chalets and holiday homes scattered across the slope and was declared a tourist resort of local interest in 2002.
In winter Straja lives for skiing: the slopes run down from Mutu and Straja peaks, many are covered with artificial snow, and some are floodlit for evening skiing. In summer the resort is a starting point for walks along the ridge of the Vâlcan Mountains and a place of pilgrimage, thanks to the hermitage and the cross on the mountain.
What you can see
The ski area totals about 26 km, with slopes for every level: from a short beginners' slope to the steeper Lupului and Canal runs. The longest, the Straja run, is 8.1 km long and descends from Straja Peak, at 1,868 m, down to 750 m at the lower gondola station in Lupeni, a drop of 1,118 m. The Mutu and Constantinescu runs, among the floodlit ones, lie just above the resort's houses. Constantinescu, Sf. Gheorghe and Platoul Soarelui are easy runs, and the 100 m Baloo slope is used for ski-school lessons. Baloo Coaster, an attraction for the whole family, runs all year round.
On a nearby hill stands the Heroes' Cross, over 18 m tall, raised in memory of the soldiers who fell here in the First World War; it is lit in the evening and can be seen from the Jiu Valley. Next to it is the Straja Hermitage, a wooden church consecrated in 1999, whose courtyard is entered through a tunnel painted with the Orthodox calendar and biblical scenes. In summer, paths climb to Mutu and Straja peaks and to the Brăița Gorge, and from the resort you look down over the Jiu Valley.
Good to know
You can also ride up to the resort on the gondola from Lupeni. The ski lifts run depending on snow and weather.
Information verified on 3 November 2026.
- The 8.1 km descent on the Straja run, from Straja Peak down to the gondola in Lupeni.
- Evening skiing on the floodlit slopes above the resort.
- The Heroes' Cross, lit in the evening, and the tunnel painted with the Orthodox calendar at the entrance to the Straja Hermitage.
- The summer hike up to Mutu and Straja peaks (1,868 m), with the Jiu Valley at your feet.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Petroșani or Târgu Jiu, take the DN66 to the Livezeni junction, then the DN66A towards Lupeni; in Lupeni, from the Braia district, follow the signs for Straja on a paved road of ~7 km. From Petroșani it is ~27 km (~40 minutes), from central Lupeni ~10 km (~15 minutes) and from Târgu Jiu ~74 km (~2 hours). In winter the mountain road calls for winter tyres and, in snowfall, chains.
By gondola: from the Brăița leisure area in Lupeni, where there is a car park, the gondola goes straight up to the resort.
- Where to park
At the gondola's departure station in Lupeni there is a free car park with about 300 spaces; there are more spaces at the entrance to the resort.
- Fees & discounts
Entry to the resort is free. A ski pass for the whole ski area costs 160 lei for one day, 290 lei for 2 days, 420 lei for 3 days, 520 lei for 4 days and 600 lei for 5 days (the days need not be consecutive), plus a 10 lei card deposit. The evening pass, for 4 hours, costs 120 lei and is sold separately. Points cards are also sold, valid in the evening too (excluding the lifts on Platoul Soarelui): 5 points 25 lei, 10 points 50 lei, 100 points 450 lei; the gondola costs 5 points, the chairlifts 3, the drag lifts 2. Ski passes can also be bought online. Prices may change from one season to the next.
- Rules
On the slopes, keep to the markings and the code of conduct for skiers and snowboarders. In the mountains, stay on waymarked trails, with warm clothes and suitable footwear, as the weather changes quickly at altitude. Bears live in the surrounding mountains: do not leave food or rubbish behind and do not feed the animals. Dress modestly when visiting the hermitage.
- Facilities
Accommodation and restaurants in the resort · ski and snowboard school · mountain rescue (Salvamont) and mountain gendarmerie in the resort · live webcams
Frequently asked questions about Straja
How much is a ticket to Straja?
Admission to Straja is free (1-day ski pass: 160 lei). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Straja?
Opening hours at Straja: daily open 24 hours. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Straja take?
A visit to Straja takes about 4½ – 5 hours (a day's skiing or a hike).
Can you visit Straja with kids?
Yes, Straja is suitable for children (beginners' slope).
Where can I park at Straja?
There is free parking at Straja (at the gondola in Lupeni). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Straja?
Straja is located at Straja resort, at the end of the DJ664A road from Lupeni, Lupeni, Hunedoara County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Straja?
The best season for Straja: All year round (skiing in winter, hiking in summer).
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