Trail in Ceahlău Massif: Durău – Fantanele – Toaca – Dochia

The trail follows the northern slope of the Ceahlău Massif. It starts in the resort of Durău (800 m) and continues towards Fantanele Mountain Lodge (1,220 m), Panghia, Toaca Peak and Dochia Mountain Lodge (1,750 m). The trail marking to follow on this route through the Ceahlău Mountains is a red stripe.

The walk takes 3h – 3h 30 min, covers 7.5 km and has an elevation gain of 950 m. The trail is moderately difficult. From Fantanele Mountain Lodge, you can reach Duruitoarea Waterfall by following the yellow triangle trail marking.

This trail in the Ceahlău Massif is accessible in every season, but in winter walkers must wear suitable mountain gear, as some more difficult sections require it (below Panaghia and Toaca Peak).

The path climbs through the forest over clay soil and crosses the road linking Izvorul Muntelui to Durău, then follows a steeper slope to a clearing called “Saga Fantanele”. Here, a few benches invite you to rest before the path winds through the forest in a series of zigzags and ends in Fantanele Glade, where Fantanele Mountain Lodge also stands.

Images from Ceahlău Massif: Durău – Toaca – Dochia

Fantanele Mountain Lodge stands in a very beautiful glade, from which you can admire the Ceahlău Massif in all its splendour, Toaca Peak and Piciorul Crestaturii, a mountain spur descending from beneath Toaca. The water channelled from the springs at Fantanele is very cold and refreshing and will help you regain your strength to continue along the trail.

From Fantanele Mountain Lodge, the path climbs steeply to the track through the fir forest, then follows a contour before the next ascent. The path then threads between sandstone and conglomerate blocks on the left and a deep valley on the right, passing several viewpoints from which you can admire Durău and the rocky slopes.

From the last glade, the trail climbs through several bends before reaching “La morminte”, named after the fighting that took place here during the Second World War. From here, the path heads south and climbs through the forest again in tight zigzags, reaching an open area on the mountain called “Curmatura Arsitei”.

Here you can admire a pillar of conglomerate rising from the ground, called “Caciula Dorobantului”, which stands guard at the north-eastern end of the ridge of Ceahlău. This spot also offers sweeping views of the reservoir, the surrounding ridges and numerous rock towers standing on a large block of stone.

The trail continues through the forest along a path lined with fir trees, crosses a rocky ridge, then descends slightly and follows the narrowest part of the Ceahlău ridge. From here, the path crosses the dwarf pines on the plateau from which Panaghia Rock rises, continuing to the foot of the rock.

Alongside Panaghia, you can also admire two rock pinnacles, “Acele Panaghiei”, and two further twin towers, “Pietrele lui Balanescu”. A path branches off to climb Toaca Peak, where you can enjoy one of the most extensive views across the Ceahlău Massif.

The final part of the trail crosses the plateau on Ceahlău through dwarf pines and reaches Dochia Mountain Lodge. In front of Dochia Mountain Lodge, a terrace and several benches offer a place to rest and enjoy a cup of hot herbal tea while looking out at the silhouettes of the surrounding rocks.

Read about other hiking trails in Ceahlău Massif.