Heroes' Cross on Caraiman Peak — Attraction in Bușteni

To be totally honest my group and I did not make it to the cross (we could have done it, but we decided not to). With 3 other scouts, we went for the cross on the 23rd of July, in the morning. We hiked to it by following a trail in the woods then in the mountains (a blue cross on a white sheet). It was heavily raining (like really heavily raining, it's like if we were walking in a river the whole time), so I wouldn't recommande doing it, unless you have good shoes, a good jacket and are prepared for a long long walk.

It took us 3h45 to get to the Caraiman Cabin (by following the same trail). There we arrived at a crossroad : there was a path leading to the cross (1h30 more according to the sign), one to the cable car, and one I forgot where. Due to the rain, then the wind, we all were completely wet and I was freezing, so we chose not to hike to the peak.

The path we followed was a difficult path, with many sections when you had to use chains/cables to help you go forward (or upward). We came across more dead people than alive ones (there were a lot of crosses at the beginning of the trail). The rain made it more difficult than it already was... We also came across a bear. Fortunately, we were able to back of and to climb on a small roof near a waterfall, then we waited for the bear to go down the valley and we went back on the trail.

It's a great hike, although, I would recomand doing it with a small group (3-5 people) of motivated and strong people, especially if you attempt it under the rain.

Some advice : don't take to much stuff (good shoes, a jacket, some fruit or cereal bars, water (I only drink 0,5l, but it was raining there wasn't much sun), some money (if you decide to come back with the cable car). There is a small bar on top of the mountain in case you need something (or to warm...

We visited the Heroes' Cross on July 1st and was pleased with the 18-20 degree temperature and beautiful scenery. We took the Busteni cable car up and hike towards the Cross taking an upper mountain trail which took us about 1 hour to get to the cross (we stop often to take photos). A few small icy parts which was not difficult to cross over on our way there. Inside the Cross is a small museum with 2 floors and the view there was amazing. On our way back, we took the "lower side mountain route" to return back to the cable car. This route was beautiful since you see more of the mountain valley and multiple "waterfall" and sheep's pastures. There was one difficulty path which was a 45 degree incline downward near an icy patch of melting snow that made it a bit scary since the rocks were slippery and loose. I'm not a hiker and wore regular tennis shoe with no hiking gear, so it's doable if you are careful and cautiously balance. Other than that, it was an easy hike back to the cable car which took us 1 hour and 20 minutes since we stop often to look at the waterfalls and...

The hike to this cross is amazing but not easy. Going up and down in one day could be challenging to some people, so you might want to take the cable car down. To hike to the cross via the forrest (beautiful hike/climb), simply follow the route provided by Google maps from the village below. At some point, roughly when the road (for car) starts to get worse, you run into sign warning you for bears (a sign similar as in the picture). At this sign go right into the forrest, and follow the signs for the cabin. From the cabin you have to follow another sign, but it will be obvious which way to go (up).

If you are staying for multiple days in the area, I would recommend to go to the cross on a non cloudy day, to get...