Retezat: Galeș Lake, Zănoagelor Saddle and Rea Valley

This tour originally scheduled for August 8th was rescheduled for August 15th.

Retezat is one of those places that doesn't try to impress. It just does.

The circuit we chose crosses some of the most spectacular landscapes of the oldest national park in Romania and is, in our opinion, one of the most beautiful one-day routes in the entire massif.

We start from the Cârnic area and climb through spruce forests and alpine meadows, making our first stop at Lolaia Waterfall , one of the most famous and photographed waterfalls in Retezat.

We then continue to Tăul dintre Brazi , a small lake hidden in the forest, before reaching Lacul Galeș , one of the most spectacular glacial lakes of the massif, located in a caldera dominated by steep walls and vast scree fields.

After lunch we climb to the Zănoagelor Saddle (2,140 m) , one of the most beautiful panoramic points in the north of Retezat. From here we will have a wide perspective on the glacial calderas, deep valleys and jagged ridges that have made this massif famous.

We will approach the descent on Valea Rea , a spectacular and less traveled route, where the relief, rocks and forests combine in a landscape specific to Retezat. Before the end of the route we will make a last stop at the Maria Magdalena Waterfall , a hidden waterfall that few tourists get to discover.

It will be a long day, with approximately 18 km , 1,200 m of positive elevation gain and almost 10 hours spent on the mountain. The route is demanding and recommended for people with good physical condition and experience on mountain trails. However, the effort is rewarded almost at every step by some of the most spectacular alpine landscapes in the Romanian Carpathians.