It is the shortest way up to the Ceahlău plateau from the Bicaz side and passes some of the massif's finest rocks.
About the place
Trail no. 1 of the Ceahlău National Park starts next to the Izvorul Muntelui hut (about 900 m) and climbs through the Lutu Roșu saddle, past Piatra cu Apă and the Detunatele rocks, to the Dochia hut (1,750 m). It is about 5.4 km long with more than 1,000 m of ascent; the Munții Noștri atlas gives 2½ to 3¼ hours. On the way you pass stands of larch at the edge of the Polița cu Crini reserve, a cave about 10 m deep below Piatra cu Apă, and the rock towers called Cetățuia and Călugării (the Monks).
The Dochia hut, from 1913, was the first tourist hut in the Eastern Carpathians and has since been renovated. Two more marked trails, with a blue triangle and a red stripe, climb from Izvoru Muntelui to Dochia, so you can come down a different way.
Good to know
- In winter the trail is only doable depending on the snow, with winter gear; on the last stretch follow the variant marked with poles, which avoids avalanches. The atlas recommends it from April to October.
- Entry to the park requires a visitor fee, paid at the information point next to the visitor centre on the DJ155F.
- For a night at the Dochia hut, book on +40 730 603 801; the Polița cu Crini reserve is off-limits without the park's permission.
Opening hours
Opening hours are not confirmed. Check the venue's website before you go.