22MN18: Petrila - Cabana Auşel - Cabana Şureanu

The signposts indicate that this trail is expected to climb onto Sureanu Peak. However, the last section was not completed in the summer of 2018, so the trail as described herein finishes at Sureanu Hut, as planned initially. The trail starts from the city hall in Petrila, on the road along Taia Valley, then Ausel Valley. You cross the short but picturesque Taia Gorge. You walk 14.5 km on the road. Signposts have been set up at every crossroads. Within approximately 1.4 km of Ausel Hut, a signpost invites you to go off the road onto a steep path. The first part of the climb zigzags through the forest. A large number of signposts have been set up along the path. Within an elevation gain of approximately 230 m, you come out at a secondary ridge, which you follow for approximately 350 m. Then, the path slightly turns right and joins a trail cut into the mountain side, past a brook. Shortly, you come out to a meadow hosting an abandoned sheepfold. Guided by two signposts, you cross the meadow and once at its upper edge, you go onto a road, which you follow on. Trail markers are scarce along the road, however, there are no orientation difficulties. The road is cut into the side of Mount Brates and climbs slightly. Once out of the forest, you come across a small red-roofed sheepfold to the left. The road bypasses Ausel Valley crossing several brooks and comes out onto the ridge at Ada Après-Ski, which is easy to recognize from afar due to its conical shape. From here, you descend toward Sureanu Hut, joined by trail 17 (blue stripe). Blue triangle trail markers emerge once more along the road in the proximity of the hut.