In nine places in the Retezat National Park, tourists can stay overnight, with tents, the administration of the reserve announces. The camping areas are located in the vicinity of some Salvamont refuges, and in three of them the permanence of the Salvamontists is ensured during the summer.
Buta Refuge. Photo: Bogdan Danciu. Facebook: Retezat National Park
Hiking enthusiasts can pitch their tents in nine places in the Retezat National Park: at Râuşor, Pietrele, Gențiana, Stâna de Râu, Stănuleți, Dracşanu, Poiana Pelegii, Bucura, Zănoaga, Buta.
In most of them there are also mountain rescue shelters, but the mountain rescuers ensure permanence, during the summer, only at Buta, Poiana Pelegii and Bucura.
“During the summer, the refuges Buta, Poiana Pelegii and Bucura ensure the permanence of Salvamont Hunedoara teams and can be occupied by tourists only in exceptional conditions (major storms, unforeseen incidents, etc.). If you want to spend the night in these areas, it is necessary to come prepared with a tent”informed the Retezat National Park.
Buta Refuge. Photo: Bogdan Danciu. Retezat National Park. Facebook
The Salvamont Buta Refuge (1580 m) is located on the southern side of the Retezat, upstream of the Buta cabin, used as a starting point for the trails in the Little Retezat.
The Salvamont Poiana Pelegii refuge (1,633 m) was built in Poiana Pelegii, a 15-minute walk from Gura Bucurii, the point where cars arriving on the Gura Apelor – Gura Bucurii section (Poiana Pelegii) are parked. From here, tourists can climb on less difficult routes to the glacial lakes of Retezat.
Poiana Pelegii Refuge. Recut. Photo: Daniel Guță THE TRUTH
Salvamont Bucura Refuge (2,041 m) is located on the shore of Lake Bucura, 45 minutes from the climb from Poiana Pelegii (video).
Bucura Refuge. Photo: Retezat National Park.
Lake Bucura has almost nine hectares and is the largest lake in the Retezat Massif and, at the same time, the largest glacial lake in Romania. Its maximum depth is 15.5 meters. It is also one of the most visited lakes in Retezat. From here, the trails continue to the Bucura, Peleaga, Păpuşa and Retezat peaks.
Recommendations for tourists in Retezat
Tourists are advised to camp only in the permitted places, without digging trenches around the tent and without destroying plants (juniper, moss, etc.).
Lake Bucura. Photo: Lucian Ignat
“Camp sites are for rest. Respect the privacy of others – on the mountain people are equal. Open fire is prohibited on the territory of the park. We recommend tourists to use a primus for food preparation“, informed the Retezat National Park.
Salvamont Hunedoara completes advice on behavior on the mountain.
Respect and protect the mountain. Leave no traces where you pass.
Do not damage tourist facilities, markings and signs.
Respect natural monuments and protected areas. Do not damage them.
Do not throw waste in the mountain area.
Do not make fire in the forest or in prohibited areas.
Do not leave the fire unattended if you have made it.
Do not shout or disturb wild animals. Don’t try to catch them.
Respect the hours of rest of your cabin or camping neighbors.
Be prepared to step in and provide first aid to those in need.
Any tourist or practitioner of mountain sports in the mountain area is obliged to respect the rules of the area or those communicated by the rangers, gendarmes or mountain rescuers.
