02MN05: Cabana Plaiul Foii - Şaua Funduri - La Table

The trail starts from Cabana Plaiul Foii hut (849 m) and the route is common with Trails 1, 3 and 4 to the intersection of Barsa Tamasului and Paraul Runcului rivers (about two kilometers on the road on Barsa Tamasului). At the barrier marking the entrance to Valea Spirla valley, Trail 1 remains to the left and you continue on Plaiul Mare (located between Barsa Tamasului and Paraul Runcului) to Curmatura Foii saddle (together with Trails 3 and 4). Climb a few hundred meters on the road for articulated forest tractors (TAF) to a small meadow and then start a long and tiring ascent on the TAF road, through the deciduous forest, to Plaiul Mare. Follow the curves of the road which becomes narrower and after 200 meters altitude difference reach a wider dirt road (about 1100 m). This road will take you up on Plaiul Mare ridge (1335 m) where Trail 3 turns right on the TAF road. Continue (alongside Trail 4) on the ridge, to the left, to Curmatura Foii saddle (10-15 minutes). In the saddle (1368 m), come across Trail 35 (which makes the connection with Fagaras Mountains), Trail 7 continues ahead on Valea Tamasului valley and you continue south (together with Trails 5 and 35) to Capu Tamasului peak (1507 m). Walk past an area with fallen trees, along the western slope of the previously mentioned peak and get below Curmatura Otetelea saddle to Izvorul Otetelii spring (important water source!) (about 40 minutes from Curmatura Foii saddle). The slightly upward contour line takes you 30 meters higher (about 30 minutes) to Poiana Tamasel meadow (1437 m). Trail 34 continues to the right (on Piciorul Tamasel crest) to Cabana Garofita Pietre Craiului hut, Trail 4 continues ahead and you turn left (90 degrees) towards Umerii Pietrei Craiului, alongside Trail 35. Go up through an area with fallen trees on the edge of a deforestation below Varful Tamasel peak (1644 m). From the top, descend to Saua Tamasel saddle (1540 m), with the imposing view of Umerii Piatra Craiului in front of you. Climb to the foot of the scree and at an altitude of 1674 m, Trail 35 continues to the left, north towards Trail 1. Go up the scree (south) below Umerii Pietrei Craiului, along the contour line, through the forest, and descend in the upper part of Valea Seaca a Tamaselului valley. This is where you can find traces of snow in late summer. Cross the stream and climb up the scree, on the tight bends below the wall and then continue through the forest on the contour line to Padina Lancii stream (the name Padina is written in blue on the wall). Walk below Varful Lancii peak (Coltul Carugelor) and get at the starting point for Marele Grohotis. Poiana Inchisa meadow is 200 meters above. Cross the stable path on Marele Grohotis with the wall to your left. Trail 8 is at the end of Marele Grohotis. Descend 20-25 meters below the wall and come across Trail 33. Get out on a grassy crest and after 250 meters reach the entrance to Pestera Stanciului cave. Cerdacul Stanciului is 30 meters ahead on the left, represented by a huge arcade with a huge boulder under it. This is the starting point for Muchia Rosie edge, which hosts one of the famous "Mori ale Dracului" (devil’s mills). After 20-30 meters, enter the forest, cross Valea lui Ivan valley and in about 450 meters reach the point called La Prepeleag / Prepeleac . Come across Trail 9 descending from Crucea Granicerului cross. Climb through the forest about 30 meters to the first rocky step, then the second stage and get to the bottom of the upper half of the Valea Urzicii valley. Climb a third less exposed rocky step climb below the right wall (geographically), turn east and enter Valea Urzicii valley. Climb ahead 200 meters altitude difference. At first, walk along the wall on the left (as climbing) and after about 60 meters altitude difference leave the entrance into Braul Rosu to the left and cross the scree towards the middle of the valley. Climb 40-50 meters and use the cable to reach a narrow and short chimney. Continue with the second chimney and get to a rocky crest with a signpost (which was visible from the entrance to the valley). From here, turn 90 degrees to the left and climb the edge for a few minutes to the pole on the ridge (1935 m altitude) (come across Trails 20 and 25). The trail descends on the ridge, to the south, alongside Trail 20 to Saua Funduri saddle (1889 m). From the saddle, turn 90 degrees to the east and after 20-25 meters Trail 20 continues to the right. From here, walk alongside Trail 16. After 50-60 meters, Trail 25 continues to the left to Refugiul Funduri mountain hut. Continue the descent. Cross several large switchbacks and when you reach the last coil, turn northeast descending on Muntele Funduri mountain. After walking 750 meters, change direction to the east and after 400 meters (100 meters altitude difference in descent) reach Poiana Funduri meadow. The repeated switchbacks take you down 120 meters in a steep descent through the forest, on a gentle slope to the northeast, then change direction to the east and in five minutes later reach a meadow. After 250 meters come across Trail 29 and walk alongside this trail to La Table intersection. Cross Valea Viteilor valley to the north (about 1365 m), Poiana Lespezi meadow at the edge of the forest, Valea Capatanelor valley and descend through the forest towards Poiana Grindului meadow. In the meadow, cross Valea Cheii de sub Grind valley (intersection of Trails 18, 27 and 32) and climb to the crest between Valea Cheii de sub Grind valley and Valea Seaca a Pietrelor valley to the upper part of Grind meadow (above the sheepfold with the same name). There is a variation of Trail 29 that goes to Refugiul Grind 1 mountain hut (1620 m). Continue through a deforestation and after 600 meters on the contour line come across Trail 24 and the spring near La Table intersection. Walk ahead and after about 225 meters reach La Table intersection, where you come across Trail 12. Trails 12 and 18 are ahead (north), and Trails 12 and 24 to the right (east).