Hiking in Maramureș

The easiest to follow are the tourist trails starting from the villages located in the picturesque valleys of historic Maramureș: Valea Marei, Valea Izei, Valea Vișeului.

Through wide clearings, at the mountain foothills, the paths connecting the villages in this part of the region start from Breb, Poienile Izei, Mara, Botiza, Borșa. Besides the possibility of a leisurely walk to admire the rural landscape, villages with churches and wooden gates, you can also seek and see some natural landmarks such as Creasta Cocoșului, Vârful Gutâi, Cascada Cailor.

Your whole experience in the area can include, along two or three hikes, accommodation in traditional cottages or in a campsite, as close to nature as possible, visiting some wooden churches, perhaps even some craftsmen's workshops.

Many of these trails are suitable for children as well. Moreover, thanks to the Borșa chairlift, almost anyone can proudly reach the mountain ridges in Maramureș with ease. In just 15-20 minutes, you can be under Știol Peak and from there directly at Știol Saddle or above the Cailor Waterfall, at a little over 1500 meters.

Every trail through the mountain areas of Maramureș has its share of spectacular views.

When we talk about the Rodnei Mountains, the limestone cliffs, glacial cirques, and lakes reflecting the ridges impress. And if you have the time and strength to climb up to the main ridge, your effort is rewarded with panoramas that stretch for many kilometers as far as the eye can see. The winding path of the ridge invites you to continue the trail, but pace your energy. The shelters along the way can be useful to you.

The Maramureș Mountains Natural Park remains a rarely explored realm, despite the fact that there are marked trails here as well. From Repedea, probably the most accessed trail starts, leading to Farcău Peak and Vinderel Lake. But from several narrow-gauge railway stations, one can also advance through the wildness of the forest, under the amazed gazes of tourists unprepared for such adventures.

Maramureș has always stood out as a discordant note in the Romanian tourist landscape - due to its location at the edge of the country, its relative isolation, the conservatism with which it has preserved its authenticity raised to the level of a local brand, or the road infrastructure that does not allow you to roam the region just any way and anytime.

Because the much-loved hiking trail Via Transilvanica does not pass through here, Maramureș has charted its own path - the Maramureș Road.

A local initiative, based on the principle of sustainable and local tourism, aimed at highlighting everything best that the area has to offer, but also bringing to light places (villages, nature corners, artisan workshops, etc.) not promoted or ignored by mass tourism.

Follow along the entire region the marks with a red little man or a stylized red M.