Sinaia Gondola

What makes it special

The ride comes in two stages. The lower one climbs from the edge of town through forest to the middle station at Cota 1400 by the older telecabin, whose cars were built in the mid nineteen seventies.

The second stage is the reason to come. The Gondola Carp climbs steeply from the middle station into the alpine zone across the Valea cu Brazi, the Valley of Firs, and in places the cabin hangs about 120 metres above the ground.

At the top station you look out over the cliffs of the Bucegi, with Sinaia below and the neighbouring ranges beyond. The bare plateau that starts at the door is open walking country in summer and the ski area in winter.

Furnica, at 2103 metres, is the summit most easily reached from the top, up a last stretch of slippery slope. Further out on the plateau stand the Babele, mushroom-shaped rocks most likely worn into shape by water, wind and ice.

Visiting

Check the operator's daily update at sinaiago.ro before you set out: it shows which lower lift is open and whether wind has stopped the upper one. At a ticket desk at the lower station, buy a lift card that covers both stages to Cota 2000, paying cash or by bank card, or buy it online beforehand.

Scan the barcode at the turnstile and take the next free cabin up to the middle station, a ride of about 15 minutes. There, change to the Gondola Carp for the second leg to the top.

At the top, take in the view from the station first, then pick a walk across the plateau. Turn back early enough to reach the top station before the last Gondola Carp down.

Tips

Pack layers whatever the weather in town, because the top station is much colder than the base. Carry water too, since the plateau has few places to refill. Children under five ride free.

In winter, bring crampons: stretches of the plateau walks turn extremely icy, and snowy descents are slow going. At the lower station the queue has no marked lane, so expect a crowd rather than a line.