Carpathian Mts. - Bucegi Massif

[Gabriela]

Since I’ve been enjoying many plants and landscapes posted here I will contribute with some images from the Carpathian Mts (Romania)- Bucegi Massif and the surroundings.
The problem is that this is my former ‘base camp’ place and since I often return, there are too many plant pictures to choose from.

The Bucegi Massif represents the eastern-most range of the South Carpathian Mts. in Romania, with the highest peak – Omu Peak rising to 2514 m. The main ridge of the massif runs south from Omu Peak and then widens, forming the Bucegi Plateau, about 10 km in length and 3 km wide. From the Plateau, spectacular panoramic views open toward deep glacial valleys, rough ridges, and other mountain ranges.



The alpine meadows are rich with flowers and various grasses throughout the summer. 

Worth the visit just for itself is the endemic, extremely fragrant Rhododendron myrtifolius. It can be found at 1800-2200 m usually on slopes and ridges with northern or northeastern exposition; on siliceous rocks, rarely limestone.

I noticed I wrote 'Rhododendrom' on the images but I don't know how to change it on the uploaded images...


edit by maggi : don't worry , the search engine only find the text  not the file names!

[Gabriela]

There are many trails to hike, passages to rock climb and also access by cable car to the plateau (not very reliable especially on windy days…). There is so much to botanize around that one can spend easily few days only in the plateau.


Sometimes in July (depending on the year) in localized area you can admire large numbers of bright pink clumps of Pedicularis verticillata. Among the alpine Gentians, you can find Gentiana frigida which can be considered a bit rare; another one, the endemic Gentiana phlogifolia can be encountered more often.
Quite a few Campanula species are present and in the plateau particularly the little Campanula alpina is worth a mention.

[Gabriela]

The mountain orchid lovers will find -- if in a lucky streak or they know where to look for them, the little but heavily fragrant vanilla orchids: Nigritella rubra and Nigritella nigra. In the local language their name translates as ‘the brave man’s blood’. They are considered critically endangered (not only in the Carpaths) and are usually found at elevations over 1800 m.

Another little plant, Eritrichium nanum ssp. jankae is always a nice find; as are Soldanella pusilla and Primula minima. Although widely present in other European mts., large groups of  Geum reptans rolling down the hills make for an impressive sight.

I will continue after deciding on more images.

[Hoy]

Looking forward to more, Gabriela!
This is a white spot on my map
what kind of accommodations can you get around there?

[Gabriela]

It is a very accessible region Trond, safe and surely one will spend less than hiking in the Alps
About 2 hours from the International Airport in Bucharest and plenty of accomodations - hotels, bed & breakfast,..in the nearby ski resorts of Sinaia, Predeal.

For hanging around the plateau best to stay in the smaller town of Busteni - you can wake up every morning looking straight at the Caraiman Mt. The Cross seen on top is a 30 m high monument built in 1926 as a token of remembrance of First World War heroes.


And I was distracted from my task, so just two more images -

[Yann]

Great report Gabriela, another invitation to travel.

[Gabriela]

Thanks Yann, there are so many places and plants to see! and so little time and/or money. The virtual travel is such a good replacement in many cases, but
if you need more details let me know.

I will add just few more images. There are quite few others Saxifraga sp., including the endemic S. demissa but since I don’t have an image with the flowers I will show Saxifraga rotundifolia ssp. heucherifolia.


The descent is preferably on foot because there are so many species to be seen. Once in a while is best to step outside the marked trails and hike on the narrow paths like shown in the image (the resolution doesn’t show it I think so I color mark it). They are called ‘alpine brâna’ and are mostly maintained by the chamois, black bears, and occasional hikers.



This way you may find even more interesting plants like the fragrant Iris ruthenica, which is a bit elusive otherwise.

[David Nicholson]

Thanks for posting these Gabriela, most interesting.

[Maggi Young]

 Paths maintained by  use by BEARS??!!!!!!

[astragalus]

That "maintained by bears" caught my eye too, Maggi.
But what a wonderful place to explore!  Thanks for the pictures and description, Gabriela.

[Maggi Young]

Apart from the bears      ..... the countryside is very beautiful and the plants  stunning - this is surely a  wonderful place to explore.

[Gabriela]

Thank you all. The Carpathian Mts. weren't that much explored in the past as other eastern European Mts. (for obvious reasons) but they offer
an extremely rich flora and many endemic species, of which I was able to show only few really.
Not many areas being accessible by cars brings also the advantage of enjoying pristine, wild landscapes and I hope will remain as such.

Now about the bears - bear bells clipped to the backpack are advisable at all times, especially in certain areas.
It is very rare to encounter them in the open, and they use the alpine paths mainly to retreat to their hibernating places high up, and to come down of course 
For ex. in the image I showed I wouldn't venture in October-Nov. and early spring, but at those times the weather is not very friendly for such hikes anyway.

[Hoy]

It is a very accessible region Trond, safe and surely one will spend less than hiking in the Alps
About 2 hours from the International Airport in Bucharest and plenty of accomodations - hotels, bed & breakfast,..in the nearby ski resorts of Sinaia, Predeal.

For hanging around the plateau best to stay in the smaller town of Busteni - you can wake up every morning looking straight at the Caraiman Mt. The Cross seen on top is a 30 m high monument built in 1926 as a token of remembrance of First World War heroes.

Sounds very tempting When is the best time of the year? July? (Not skiing )

[Gabriela]

Sounds very tempting When is the best time of the year? July? (Not skiing )

Considering the mild winter of this year + the early spring - at lower alt. Hepatica transsilvanica and Daphne mezereum were in flower last week - I would say mid to late June, early July to be sure you'll catch many species in flower. If you decide we'll talk later in more detail.

[Hoy]

Considering the mild winter of this year + the early spring - at lower alt. Hepatica transsilvanica and Daphne mezereum were in flower last week - I would say mid to late June, early July to be sure you'll catch many species in flower. If you decide we'll talk later in more detail.

Hmm. I am tempted but can't before about 10th of July this year. Maybe a bit late?