23MN26: Halta CFR Sibiel - Fosta Cabană Fântânele - La Pripoane

From Sibiel train halt, you set out on the paved road heading to Sibiel to reach a fork after approximately 1 km, where you take the first exit toward Fantanele village. You cross the village until you reach the upper boundary in approximately 2 km. From here, you continue on a cart road in an initially steeper climb along the wooded ridge. Shortly, you reach a spring and continue along the road. Shortly afterward, the forest ends and the slope inclination decreases. Orchards and grasslands with summer huts and lodges spread around and there are grasslands where numerous sheep flocks graze. Up to the ruins of the former Fantanele Hut, you follow an easy ridge road, without major differences in elevation. After over 3 hours from the starting point, you reach the former Fantanele Hut. From here, you follow the path to the left, initially accompanied by the blue cross trail. After approximately 3 km from the hut, there is a poorly visible path, which goes to the right into the rather thick forest with fallen trees. Here, the two trails split, your trail continuing on the path to the right. After crossing the difficult sections with fallen trees and 2-3 swampy areas, you reach the so-called Sipotul Dezertorilor and the intersection with the blue stripe trail. The hike on the path to the right, which takes you away from the red cross trail, is more difficult and less accessible than the one continuing ahead, to a small meadow, where you leave the path marked with red cross to the left to follow a wide path to La Pripoane to the right, in a slight descent through the forest. This section is unmarked, yet easy to follow.