# Moldoveanu Peak

[Romania](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/attractions) › [Muntenia](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/region/muntenia) › [Argeș County](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/county/arges) › [Nucșoara](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/locality/nucsoara)

> Romania's highest peak (2,544 m), in the Făgăraș Mountains, joined to Viștea Mare by a narrow ridge. It is climbed on long trails, from Valea Rea, the Sâmbăta Valley or the Viștea Valley.

**At a glance:** Mountains and trails in Nucșoara, Argeș County. Opening hours: daily open 24 hours. Ticket: Free. The visit takes 7½ – 8 hours. Information verified on 21 October 2026.

## Key facts

- **Opening hours:** daily open 24 hours — The peak is in the open and has no opening hours, but it can only be climbed safely in summer and early autumn, in good weather. Set off early: from Valea Rea, the climb from Stâna lui Burnei takes 3–5 hours, while from Sâmbăta de Sus or Victoria the trip takes a full day or two. Large patches of snow can remain until June; in June 2025, Salvamont Argeș strongly advised against setting off from Bâlea towards Moldoveanu because of soft, heavy snow.
- **Ticket:** Free — forest road needs a permit
- **Visit duration:** 7½ – 8 hours — a day, from Valea Rea
- **With kids:** No — long and exposed trail
- **Best season:** July – September — avalanche danger in winter
- **Address:** in the Făgăraș Mountains, about 30 minutes from Viștea Mare Peak; main access from Nucșoara commune, along the Valea Rea forest road to Stâna lui Burnei, Nucșoara, Argeș County
- **Coordinates:** 45.59956, 24.73617
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moldoveanu_Peak
- **Wikidata:** https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q746524
- **Categories:** [Mountains and trails](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/munti-si-trasee), [National parks and reserves](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/parcuri-nationale-si-rezervatii)

## About Moldoveanu Peak

Moldoveanu Peak, at 2,544 m, is the highest point in Romania. It stands in the Făgăraș Mountains, in the Southern Carpathians, in Argeș County, a little south of the main ridge, to which it is linked by Viștea Mare Peak (2,527 m), the third highest in the country. The two peaks, joined by a rocky arête, form the so-called Viștea–Moldoveanu “trapezium”. Because it is surrounded by summits over 2,400 m, Moldoveanu cannot be seen from the Făgăraș Land below, only from the ridge or from the air.

According to local tradition, the name comes from the nickname of a shepherd who leased the surrounding pastures, at a time when almost only shepherds climbed these mountains. The area is part of the Făgăraș Mountains Natura 2000 site, with glacial cirques, alpine lakes, meadows and chamois.

### What you can see

The shortest route starts at Stâna lui Burnei, at the end of the forest road in Valea Rea (Nucșoara commune). The red-triangle path climbs past the Valea Rea waterfalls, through the valley's cirque with its small pools and past Iezerul Triunghiular (2,159 m), a glacial lake, to Portița Viștei on the main ridge. From there the red stripe leads to Viștea Mare, and the last stretch, on the red dot, follows the exposed arête to Moldoveanu in about 30 minutes. From the north, you climb from Sâmbăta de Sus past the Valea Sâmbetei Chalet to Fereastra Mare a Sâmbetei and then along the ridge, or from the town of Victoria up the Viștea Mare Valley, straight to Portița Viștei. From the top you can see Negoiu, the Făgăraș ridge to the east and west, and the Iezer-Păpușa massif.

### Good to know

All the trails are long, with more than 1,000 m of ascent, exposed sections and weather that changes quickly, so the peak is not for beginners. In winter and spring the valleys and gullies are exposed to avalanches, and the climb requires winter mountaineering gear and experience. The Valea Rea forest road was washed out by floods in August 2024 and again in July 2026; in June 2025 the last 8 km could not be driven even by off-road vehicle, and cars are now allowed on the road only with a permit from the Argeș Forestry Directorate.

## Don't miss

- The arête between Viștea Mare and Moldoveanu, on the red-dot trail, the last half hour to the roof of Romania.
- Iezerul Triunghiular (2,159 m), the glacial lake in the upper cirque of Valea Rea, on the trail from Stâna lui Burnei.
- The Valea Rea cirque, with small pools and islands of vegetation, guarded by the Galbena and Vârful Roșu peaks.
- The Valea Rea waterfalls and the Zbuciumată Waterfall, visible right from Stâna lui Burnei, at the start of the trail.
- The panorama from Viștea Mare and Moldoveanu, from Negoiu in the west to the Iezer-Păpușa massif in the south-east.

## Good to know before you go

### Getting there

**By car:** from the south, Nucșoara commune is reached from Pitești via Curtea de Argeș (~75 km); from there the forest road along the Râul Doamnei and up Valea Rea climbs past Lake Văsălatu to Stâna lui Burnei, about 38 km from Nucșoara. The road is rough, suitable only for high-clearance or off-road vehicles, and was washed out by floods in 2024 and 2026, so ask Salvamont Argeș about its condition before you set off. From the north, the Sâmbăta Valley trail starts at the Brâncoveanu Monastery in Sâmbăta de Sus, ~85 km from Brașov and ~25 km from Făgăraș, and the Viștea Mare Valley trail starts in the town of Victoria. The ridge can also be reached from Bâlea Lac on the Transfăgărășan, but getting to Moldoveanu from there is a traverse of several days, with sections fitted with chains.

**Public transport:** there is no public transport to Stâna lui Burnei. On the northern side, trains on the Brașov–Sibiu line stop at Făgăraș, from where you reach Sâmbăta de Sus or Victoria by taxi or car.

### Where to park

At Stâna lui Burnei, at the end of the forest road, cars are left by the roadside and in the surrounding clearings, with no proper car park; on summer weekends spaces fill up quickly. If the road is washed out, the car stays further down and you walk to the sheepfold (in June 2025, another 8 km each way). On the northern side, you park by the Brâncoveanu Monastery and the Sâmbăta tourist complex, or in the town of Victoria.

### Fees & discounts

Climbing the peak is free. According to the notice of 31 August 2026, driving on the forest roads of the Argeș Forestry Directorate is allowed only with a transit permit requested from the forest district that manages the road (for Valea Rea, the Domnești Forest District) or from the directorate, for a fee of 30 lei + VAT; the permit is valid only for the vehicle, road and period written on it.

### Rules

Climb only on the marked trails and 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 and spring you need crampons, an ice axe and winter mountaineering experience, and the valleys and gullies are exposed to avalanches. Do not leave litter, do not light fires outside permitted places and keep dogs close, as there are sheepfolds with sheepdogs and bears in the area. In an accident call 112 or Mountain Rescue (Salvamont).

### Facilities

no facilities on the summit · Portița Viștei mountain refuge, on the ridge below Viștea Mare · Valea Sâmbetei Chalet, open all year, on the northern trail · camping spots at Iezerul Triunghiular · no drinking-water points on the trail · weak or no mobile signal in the valleys

## Details

- **Protected area type:** Natura 2000 site
- **Part of:** the Făgăraș Mountains Natura 2000 site
- **Maximum altitude:** 2,544 m
- **Difficulty:** difficult
- **Trail marking:** red triangle, red stripe, red dot
- **Mountain range:** Făgăraș Mountains

## Frequently asked questions about Moldoveanu Peak

**How much is a ticket to Moldoveanu Peak?**

Admission to Moldoveanu Peak is free (forest road needs a permit). Climbing the peak is free. According to the notice of 31 August 2026, driving on the forest roads of the Argeș Forestry Directorate is allowed only with a transit permit requested from the forest district that manages the road (for Valea Rea, the Domnești Forest District) or from the directorate, for a fee of 30 lei + VAT; the permit is valid only for the vehicle, road and period written on it.

**What are the opening hours of Moldoveanu Peak?**

Opening hours at Moldoveanu Peak: daily open 24 hours. The peak is in the open and has no opening hours, but it can only be climbed safely in summer and early autumn, in good weather. Set off early: from Valea Rea, the climb from Stâna lui Burnei takes 3–5 hours, while from Sâmbăta de Sus or Victoria the trip takes a full day or two. Large patches of snow can remain until June; in June 2025, Salvamont Argeș strongly advised against setting off from Bâlea towards Moldoveanu because of soft, heavy snow.

**How long does a visit to Moldoveanu Peak take?**

A visit to Moldoveanu Peak takes about 7½ – 8 hours (a day, from Valea Rea).

**Can you visit Moldoveanu Peak with kids?**

No, Moldoveanu Peak is not recommended for visits with children (long and exposed trail).

**How do I get to Moldoveanu Peak?**

Moldoveanu Peak is located at in the Făgăraș Mountains, about 30 minutes from Viștea Mare Peak; main access from Nucșoara commune, along the Valea Rea forest road to Stâna lui Burnei, Nucșoara, Argeș County. By car: from the south, Nucșoara commune is reached from Pitești via Curtea de Argeș (~75 km); from there the forest road along the Râul Doamnei and up Valea Rea climbs past Lake Văsălatu to Stâna lui Burnei, about 38 km from Nucșoara. The road is rough, suitable only for high-clearance or off-road vehicles, and was washed out by floods in 2024 and 2026, so ask Salvamont Argeș about its condition before you set off. From the north, the Sâmbăta Valley trail starts at the Brâncoveanu Monastery in Sâmbăta de Sus, ~85 km from Brașov and ~25 km from Făgăraș, and the Viștea Mare Valley trail starts in the town of Victoria. The ridge can also be reached from Bâlea Lac on the Transfăgărășan, but getting to Moldoveanu from there is a traverse of several days, with sections fitted with chains. Public transport: there is no public transport to Stâna lui Burnei. On the northern side, trains on the Brașov–Sibiu line stop at Făgăraș, from where you reach Sâmbăta de Sus or Victoria by taxi or car.

**When is the best time to visit Moldoveanu Peak?**

The best season for Moldoveanu Peak: July – September (avalanche danger in winter).

## Nearby attractions

- [Zbuciumată Waterfall](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/cascada-zbuciumata) — Waterfalls · Nucșoara, AG · Free · 30 min · 4 km
  A waterfall of almost 100 m in three tiers on the side of the Valea Rea valley in the Făgăraș Mountains, below Moldoveanu Peak; it can be seen from Stâna lui Burnei, at the end of the forest road from Slatina.
- [Capra Waterfall](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/cascada-capra) — Waterfalls · Argeș County · Free · 20 min · 11 km
  A waterfall of about 40 m on the Capra stream, right beside the Transfăgărășan on the southern side of the Făgăraș Mountains, at 1,690 m; you see it from the bridge, without any hiking.
- [Capra Lake](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/lacul-capra) — Lakes · Argeș County · Free · 2½ – 3 hours · 11 km
  A glacial lake at 2,230 m on the southern side of the Făgăraș Mountains, just below the ridge; about an hour's walk from Bâlea Lake, over the Capra saddle.
- [Bâlea Lake](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/lacul-balea) — Lakes · Sibiu County · Free · 1½ – 2 hours · Top 100 · 12 km
  A glacial lake at 2,034 m in the Bâlea cirque of the Făgăraș Mountains, at the top of the Transfăgărășan; reachable by car in summer and by cable car all year round.
- [Transfăgărășan](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/transfagarasan) — Scenic roads · Argeș County · Free · 3½ – 4 hours · Top 20 · 12 km
  The DN7C crosses the Făgăraș Mountains for 151 km, from the Vidraru dam up to the glacial Bâlea Lake at 2,042 m, then winds down in hairpin bends into Transylvania.
- [Bâlea Waterfall](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/cascada-balea) — Waterfalls · Sibiu County · Free · 1½ – 2 hours · Top 100 · 13 km
  Romania's biggest tiered waterfall, dropping about 60 m over the lower step of the Bâlea cirque in the Făgăraș Mountains; an hour's walk up from the Bâlea Cascadă chalet on the Transfăgărășan.

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Last updated: 21 October 2026
Source: Pe Plaiuri (https://peplaiuri.ro/en) — Guide to tourist attractions in Romania