Făgăraș Mountains

Făgăraș Mountains (Romanian: Munții Făgărașului [ˈmuntsij fəɡəˈraʃuluj]; Hungarian: Fogarasi-havasok) are the highest mountains of the Southern Carpathians, in Romania.

Munții Făgăraș
Hungarian: Fogaras hegység
Relief map - Tourist Map
Highest point
PeakMoldoveanu
Elevation2,544 m (8,346 ft)
Geography
CountryRomania
Parent rangeCarpathians
Geology
OrogenyAlpine orogeny
Age of rockMostly Triassic
Făgăraș Ridge

Geography

The mountain range is situated in the heart of Romania, at 45°35′N 24°45′E.

Panoramic view from Sibiu

The range is bordered in the north by the Făgăraș Depression, through which the Olt river flows, and in the west by the Olt Valley (Valea Oltului). Despite its name, Făgăraș, located 20 km to the north, is not the nearest town to the mountain range, which has no major settlements. Other important surrounding cities are Brașov and Sibiu.[1]

Glacier lakes include Bâlea (2034 m, 46,508 m2, 11.35 m deep), the largest. The highest lake is in the Hărtopul Leaotei glacial valley. The deepest glacial lake is Podragu (2140 m, 28,550 m2 15.5 m deep). Other lakes: Urlea (2170 m, 20,150 m2), Capra (2230 m, 18,340 m2).

The highest peaks are:

  • Moldoveanu 2,544 m
  • Negoiu 2,535 m
  • Viștea Mare 2,527 m
  • Lespezi 2,516 m
  • Cornul Călțunului 2,510 m
  • Vânătoarea lui Buteanu 2,507 m
  • Hârtopul Darei 2,506 m
  • Dara 2,501 m
  • Scărișoara Mare 2,495 m
  • Mușetescu 2,495 m
  • Capra 2,494 m
  • Roșu 2,489 m
  • Negoiu Mic 2,485 m
  • Podragu 2,482 m
  • Urlea 2,473 m

Access and tourism

The most used access point to the mountains is the Transfăgărășan road. The Transfăgărășan runs across the Făgăraș range. It is generally open only between June and September, due to unfavorable weather conditions for the rest of the year.

The Făgăraș Mountains are a very popular hiking, trekking and skiing destination in Romania. Most people wanting to hike on the Moldoveanu leave from the town of Victoria, in other areas Făgăraș Mountains - Arpasu de Jos, Porumbacu de Jos, Avrig. In the vicinity of the Negoiu, and in the central part of the band take the rocky nature of the mountains, and reaching the main ridge trail there are technical difficulties and exposure. Somewhat difficult part of the trail is a "Three steps from the death" running the main ridge by ridge Custura Arpaşului the lake (in Romanian Lacul) Capra (2230 m). Also a bit challenging is one of the ways to Negoiu - Strunga Dracului. The most difficult section of the ridge Custura Sărăţii between Șerbota (2331 m above sea level) and Şaua Cleopatrei pass (2355 m). At the root of the fire is under Șerbota several meters of steel cable handrail, on the other part there are no artificial enhancements.

Conflicts

A decision to designate the mountains as a national park occurred in 2016, and has proven controversial with local people seeking to protect access to timber and forest products. In reality, the range has complex land tenure arrangements, so only a portion could be so designated initially, aided by private investment. There are also plans to develop a ski resort, opposed by conservationists but supported by many residents of the surrounding towns, who seek better livelihood and economic opportunities.[2] [3]

  • Towards the mountains
  • View from Sărata
  • Făgăraș Mountains as viewed from Negoiu
  • Negoiu Peak (2535m)
  • Amphitheatre
  • Transfăgărășan road DN7C
  • Moldoveanu peak and Vistea shelter
  • Făgăraș Mountains seen from Olt
  • Lake Bâlea
  • Bâlea caban
  • Moldoveanu from Vistea Mare peak
  • Făgăraș Mountains - from above 2000m, towards Moldoveanu Peak (farthest in the image)
  • Hiking in Făgăraș Mountains
  • Făgăraș as seen from Sibiu
  • Fereastra Zmeilor rock formations
  • View towards a glacial valley
  • Mountain crests
  • Călțun refuge

Notes
  1. Vorhees, M. (2009). Eastern Europe. Lonely Planet. p. 705. ISBN 9781741048544. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  2. https://www.romania-insider.com/romanias-fagaras-mountains-declared-national-park
  3. Marie Louise Aastrup.2020. Conservation narratives and conflicts over protected areas in post-socialist Romania. Journal of Political Ecology 27.
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