Scarita Belioara
The basics:
- Driving time/distance from Cluj: ~ 1.5 hrs/80 km (50 miles)
- Public transportation: not available :(
- Total ascent: 691 meters (2270 feet)
- Walking distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)
- Estimated time to complete this trail: 4 to 5 hrs
- Trail starting point in Google Maps (this is where you can park)
- Trail sign to follow:
Open with Mapy
Trail description and tips
Scarita Belioara is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Western Carpathians for some good reasons: it has beautiful and spectacular views for a good portion of the walking distance, it is a protected area boasting a large variety of trees and flowers, it is not far from Cluj, it is a circular trail and its difficulty level is average.
The narrow, winding road was recently paved all the way to the parking place. Drive slowly in case another car approaches from the opposite direction. Park the car and walk about two hundred meters to where the circular trail starts. It's a bit better to hike the trail in a clockwise direction because there is a steep, rocky portion on the way up which is easier to ascend (see map above).
You'll see different trail signs at times - make sure you follow the red dot sign to complete the circular trail and get back to where you started.
There are quite a few viewpoints, but there's one outside of the marked trail I would encourage you to see. Here's an exact location - it only takes 5-10 extra minutes to get to from the main route.
If you are hungry upon getting back to the car there is a so called "Punct Gastronomic Local" - a 200 meter walk from the parking place (there is a sign). It is a project developed by a local family using funds from the European Union. The food is pretty good. It is only open on weekends.
