Enfolded in the cold embrace of the Bucegi mountain ridges, a valley of amazing beauty is born from the springs hidden among the rocks of the Obârșiei, Doamnele, Babele and Bătrâna ridges. The rapid torrents often form superb waterfalls, and after calming down and merging lower down, continuing south through often spectacular landscapes. Unlike other valleys in the heart of the mountains, this one has been tamed and roamed for a long time, with the road accompanying it close to the springs and numerous traces of human activity!
The first impressive area of the Ialomița Valley is the one around the Ialomița Cave, a wild karst area that also includes the Urșilor Gorges. Cocora Cave, the Cave Gorges, the Horoabei Canyon, the Seciului Tower and the Poiana Crucii, a superb natural reserve that offers numerous spectacular landscapes and exciting activities. We first enter the Ialomița Cave, and at its entrance we are greeted by the small white church reminiscent of the old Ialomița monastery, which appeared in these isolated places more than five centuries ago. Near the cave we can also venture into the wilderness of the Horoabei canyon, a narrow and deep valley that offers extreme sensations. Although the route is not marked, it is secured in the more dangerous places with chains or metal ladders, thus passing over huge rocks and past small noisy waterfalls.
We continue along the valley and just a few kilometers away, we stop for a few moments to admire the Lăptici Peat, a small reserve with unique specific vegetation. The river continues quite quietly until the rocks approach again and the Tatar Gorges are born, quite short but impressive. From here, Lake Bolboci begins to form, a true sea in the middle of the mountains, mirroring the surrounding forests and ridges. The last destinations on this idyllic valley between the mountains are found just a few kilometers south of the Bolboci Lake dam.
The Zănoaga Gorges are a complex natural reserve that impresses us with the overwhelming beauty of the landscapes. Passing on one side of the river, among rocks, over waterfalls and through lush forests, the approximately one-hour route descends quite gently to one of the most spectacular places in the Ialomița Valley. Lake Scropoasa has already become famous for its picturesque setting and turquoise color under the sun’s rays. Nearby we can also admire the Şapte Izvoare waterfall, a charming natural wonder…
Location
Dâmbovița County (Bucegi Mountains) – GOOGLE MAPS
150 km north of Bucharest (3 hours by car) / 70 km south of Brașov (2 hours by car)
From Sinaia, follow the DN71 road, from which the DJ713 road branches off, which climbs towards the Bucegi plateau. Near the Dichiu chalet, continue forward on the DJ713A which descends towards the Ialomița valley, then enter the DJ714 road, which accompanies the valley to the north.
Opening hours
During the Winter, the road is often closed due to heavy snow!
Practical Info
To reach the valley in winter, an easy option would be to take the Bușteni Babele Cable Car – and then continue with the Babele – Peștera Cable Car!
There are a few hotels and villas along the Ialomița Valley, right in the heart of the mountains. You can book in advance and enjoy the sunrise and sunset along the valley!
The national road 1 that follows the Prahova Valley between Bucharest and Brașov is almost always quite crowded, especially during the holidays. It would be wise to plan your visit of during the week and early in the morning (autumn is probably the most picturesque)!
Search for Flights to Romania with Booking.com!
Sights and Activities
of Ialomița Valley
Ialomița Cave
Located on the upper course of the Ialomița Valley, the cave developed in the southeastern part of the Bătrâna Mountain, at an altitude of approximately 1500 meters. Also known as the Ialomița Hermitage Cave or the Ialomicioarei Cave, it has a total of 800 meters of active and fossil galleries, of which only 400 meters represent the tourist route, equipped with walkways and metal stairs. Along it, visitors pass through several halls and galleries of different sizes, the largest being the Bear Hall, where numerous skeletons of cave bears, extinct more than 10,000 years ago, were discovered. The unique element of the cave is the small church of the old monastery of Ialomița, founded at the beginning of the 16th century by the voivode Mihnea cel Rău. Built right under the entrance portal of the cave, the current church of the Ialomița hermitage was built recently, having been destroyed several times over time.
Hours: Monday-Sunday – 9:00-17:30 (summer) / 9:00-16:00 (winter) | Tickets: 30 lei/adult
Horoabei Canyon
One of the most spectacular, but also dangerous places in the Bucegi Mountains is located near the Ialomita cave. The Horoabei canyon can be explored starting from below the cave or from the Padina clearing. Although it is equipped with chains and metal ladders in places, the canyon is not marked as a tourist route and is officially closed to visitors. Among the dangers inside are unexpected floods or difficulty in orientation. However, there are travelers who venture into this wild and impressive place, dotted with huge rocks, interesting waterfalls or very narrow and steep passages. The route requires a lot of attention and is not recommended for those unprepared for sustained physical effort.
Lăptici Bog Reserve
Located in the Ialomița Valley, at an altitude of approximately 1450 meters and covering an area of only 15 hectares, the Lăptici Bog is an oligotrophic swamp protected as a natural area of national interest. A wide variety of plant species specific to peat bogs are preserved here, including spruce, pine, birch, dwarf willow, blueberry, cranberry, juniper, sedge, red clover, piper and others. To visit this special attraction, a short circuit on a wooden bridge has been arranged that allows the admiration of the interesting vegetation and fauna without affecting this fragile space.
Bolboci Lake & Tătaru Gorges
Set in a delightful natural setting, surrounded by the forested peaks of the Bucegi Mountains that descend towards the Ialomița Valley, Bolboci Lake is also known as the “Sea of Bucegi”. The reservoir is approximately 7 kilometers long and has a maximum depth of 30 meters, and in its northern part is the Tatar Gorges, a mixed nature reserve that stretches over 300 meters long and includes steep slopes, caves, waterfalls, and specific vegetation.
Zănoaga Gorges & Scropoasa Lake
One of the most impressive places in Bucegi and part of a nature reserve, the Zănoaga Gorges are approximately 1 kilometer long, spread over two sectors. They present a spectacular karst relief, with vertical walls over 200 meters high, solitary rocks, small waterfalls, but also abundant specific vegetation. A tourist route passes through the gorge, starting at the Zănoaga Camping to the south, at the end of which is the charming Scropoasa Lake, known for its splendid color. Near the lake, travelers can also admire the 7 Izvoare Waterfall, and on its southern side is the Orzei Gorges, but it cannot be entered from this direction.
7 Springs Waterfall
Among the most charming places in the Bucegi Mountains, the Sapte Izvoare waterfall is located a few minutes from the Scropoasa lake, at the end of the Zănoagei gorges. You can also get here on a forest road (blue cross) starting from the village of Glod, but the route is much longer. From beneath an imposing rock wall the water gushes violently through seven springs, tumbling down into the valley in innumerable swirling ribbons. The lush vegetation formed in this splendid area enhances the beauty of the place. The 7 Izvoare waterfall is also shrouded in an air of mystery, the waters here being considered the purest in the world, or at least in Romania, but the causes of this phenomenon are only theoretical.
Hiking PAths from Ialomița Valley
Starting from the Ialomița valley, travelers have the opportunity to start on hiking trails to the surrounding peaks of the Bucegi mountains. In the northern part, near the Ialomita cave and the Peștera cable car, there are four main routes. One of these (blue cross) goes up to Babele Hut, while another (red triangle) goes to Vârful Batrâna. There are two more parallel routes (red dot, blue stripe) that go up to the north past the Obârșia valley towards the Doamnele saddle and towards the Omu Peak. A little further down the valley, other routes go up towards the Bucegi Plateau from the east, or towards the Cocora saddle (blue band). the Lăptici saddle (red band) or towards Vârful cu Dor (yellow cross). Several other less frequented trails start towards the western peaks, namely the red band to the Strunga refuge, the red triangle and the yellow triangle to the Deleanu peak or the red cross to the Leaota Peak.
Bușteni - Babele - Peștera Cable Car
The longest cable car route in Europe is located in Bușteni, connecting the city to the Bucegi plateau, over a length of 4,350 meters and an altitude difference of over 1,200 meters. The journey over the dizzying precipices of the Jepilor Valley takes about 12 minutes, being the shortest way to reach the heights of the Bucegi mountains, from the Babele chalet several hiking trails depart, as well as another cable car section that descends to the Ialomița valley (Peștera Station).
Hours Bușteni-Babele: Monday-Sunday – 8:30-15 (closed Tuesday) / Hours Babele-Peștera: Friday-Sunday – 8.30-15.30 |
Tickets: 250 lei/adult (round trip)
Accommodation on Ialomița Valley
Rating 9.5 from 969 Reviews
An esteemed hotel experience in the heart of the mountains, this luxury resort features superior rooms with all comfort, an European restaruant, a wellness and spa center and more!
Rating 9.5 from 1451 Reviews
One of the most prestigious hotels inside the Bucegi Natural Park, it is located in the heart of the mountains, offering gorgeous arooms, an international restaurant and spa!
Rating 9.4 from 169 Reviews
Located on the Ialomița valley, in the middle of the nature park, this unit offers spacious and tastefully decorated rooms, also having a restaurant, bar, terrace and garden!
