Stage 7 of 8 · Via Transilvanica

CEC Zărnești → Caragiale

Distance

27.7 km

Ascent

+615 m

Descent

-672 m

Est. Time

7h 07m

Altitude

656.7–1,071.7 m

Type

point-to-point

⛰️ Rolling Hills

🚌

Getting Here

CEC Zărnești (bus stop)

195m from trailhead · ~2 min walk

🚌

Getting Out

Caragiale (bus stop)

722m from trail end · ~9 min walk

📥 Download GPX 🗺️ Open in Planner 🏔️ 3D Flyover 27.7 km · 615m gain

Elevation Profile

Flat (<5%) Easy (5–10%)

Route Map

🗺️ Open in Planner → | 🏔️ View 3D Flyover →

Segment Breakdown

Auto-analyzed from the elevation profile. Each segment shows the dominant character for planning your effort.

Segment	Dist	↑ / ↓	Time	Character
CEC Zărnești → km 19.5 (871m) 0–1,072m	19.5 km	+1806m / -1646m	7h 44m	📈 Climbing
km 19.5 (871m) → Caragiale 657–871m	8.1 km	+30m / -244m	1h 47m	📉 Descending
Total	27.7 km	+615m / -672m	9h 32m

Pace & Fuel Calculator

Adjust your flat 10K pace to see personalized finish time, calorie burn, and hydration needs.

Your flat 10K pace 7:00 /km

4:00 /km (elite) 12:00 /km (leisure)

Fast Hiker / Jogger

Est. Finish Time

4h 16m

Calories

2,093 kcal

Water Needed

3 L

Effort Distance

37.2 km

flat-equivalent

🍫 Recommended: ~45g carbs/hr (192g total) 🧂 Electrolytes: ~2136mg sodium/hr 🩹 Consider anti-chafe and blister prevention

Terrain Analysis

Runnability

Steep / Technical

% of route below 15% gradient

Climb Ratio

22 m/km

Moderate profile

↑ 615m ↓ 672m

Surface & Technicality

Terrain Difficulty Breakdown

Runnable Flat (73%) Easy Grade (27%)

Surface Type

Asphalt (35%) Ground (24%) Unknown (20%) Gravel (13%) Dirt (3%) Compacted (1%) Sett (1%) Paving stones (1%) Grass (1%)

🏃 Mostly runnable with gentle terrain. Great for fast trail running.

Surface Breakdown

Paved (35%)

Natural Ground (24%)

Unknown (20%)

Gravel (13%)

Dirt (3%)

Compacted (1%)

Sett (1%)

Paving stones (1%)

Grass (1%)

Current Conditions

Loading live weather...

Conditions for June

ℹ️ Shoulder season

Snow Risk

Unlikely

69% north-facing slopes

Mud Risk

15%

Low

Ice Risk

Unlikely

✅ Snow unlikely at this elevation in June. Trail conditions expected to be clear.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Suggested Gear List

Auto-generated based on 27.7 km, 615m ascent, max altitude 1071.7m, ~7h duration.

Essential 5 items

👟
Trail running shoes / hiking boots

Required for any trail
📱
Phone (charged) + offline map

Navigation & emergency contact
💧
3L hydration vest

Estimated 3.6L needed
🍫
Trail mix, bars & sandwich

Est. 2491 kcal burn
🆘
Emergency space blanket

Critical for preventing hypothermia if you stop moving

Recommended 5 items

🧴
Sunscreen

Basic sun protection
🧥
Light rain jacket

Weather changes fast in the mountains
🔦
Headlamp

7h route — plan for delays
🩹
Mini first aid kit

Blister plasters, tape, antiseptic
🧊
Microspikes / light crampons

Snow risk in Dec, Jan, Feb

Nice to have 1 items

🦵
Gaiters

Keep snow out of boots

Logistics

This route runs from CEC Zărnești to Caragiale (27.7 km by trail). You'll need to arrange transport back to your starting point.

Start — Getting There

CEC Zărnești

🚌 CEC Zărnești (138m)

🚌 Catedrala (340m)

🚌 13 Decembrie (761m)

Finish — Getting Back

Caragiale

🚌 Cap Linie Râșnov (473m)

🚌 Caragiale (689m)

🚌 Biserica (903m)

🗺️ Transit directions (Google)

Nearby Points of Interest

🚌 Transit Stops

CEC Zărnești 138m off trail
BRD km 0.1 · 2.9 km off trail
Transilvania km 0.1 · 3.0 km off trail
Traian Moșoiu km 0.1 · 3.5 km off trail
General Traian Moșoiu hc. km 0.1 · 3.5 km off trail
Monumentul Eroilor km 0.1 · 3.6 km off trail
Catedrala km 0.1 · 340m off trail
Celulozei km 0.1 · 1.2 km off trail

💧 Water Sources

Drinking Water km 0.3 · 134m off trail
Izvorul Liliacul km 7.7 · 1.2 km off trail
Drinking Water km 8.8 · 263m off trail
Drinking Water km 9.6 · 440m off trail
Drinking Water km 9.6 · 394m off trail

←

Previous Stage

Via Transilvanica Stage 6: Paltin → CEC Zărnești

Next Stage

Via Transilvanica Stage 8: Caragiale → End

→

← Back to all 8 stages of Via Transilvanica

Take this route with you

Download the GPX file for your GPS watch or phone. Works with Garmin, Suunto, COROS, Apple Watch, and all GPX-compatible apps.

📥 Download GPX 🗺️ Planner