The Small Retezat Mountains are also known as the Limestone Retezat Mountains. Are parallel with  Big Retezat Mountains and are divided only by Lapusnicul Mare River and Butii Valley.

The subdivisions of this massif include Piule Mountains and Iorgovanul Mountains. Although they are not as high as Big Retezat they reach up to 2086m, at Piule Peak. They offer the same extraordinary landscape.

Retezat Mountains
Discover the mountains of Romania in winter time

General information: Piule and Iorgovanul Mountains are located on the southern side of Big Retezat Mountains. Big Retezat and Small Retezat Mountains are linked through a ridge which connects Papusa Custurii Peak with Dragsanu Peak.

Another ridge of Small Retezat, which continues south-west from Piatra Iorgovanului Peak, makes the link between this massif and Godeanu Mountains. The relief structure of Small Retezat Mountains differs from Big Retezat Mountains and also from Godeanu Mountains. Their particularity consists is the geological composition.

Piule peak in Limestone Retezat mountains

Geology: Piule – Iorgovanul (Small Retezat) Mountains display an interesting combination of limestone and glacial relief.

In the proposed area for hiking we can identify the limestone rocks in Scorotei gorges. There are limestone formations in the area of Albele Peak and Piule Peak. Upstream from Scorota River, traces of glacial relief can be spotted. Mostly the two cirques glaciers eastern and western Scorota.

western cirque glacier Scorota

With a little attention, you can spot some specific glacial relief forms. There are glacial crossings, basins of former glacial lakes and glacial moraines left behind by glaciers.

The glaciers descending towards the two cirques glaciers became united, sculpting a single “U”-shape glacial valley. They where reaching up to 1400m altitude, below Scorota sheepfold.

The limestone slopes of the mountains still preserve very well the traces of glacial erosion. At a lower altitude, Scorota Valley has a “V”-shape, specific for limestone relief.

Climbing in Piule – Iorgovanul mountains

Discovering the Limestone Retezat in wintertime. 

In order to offer the most accurate information, we shall describe a trip organized by TGR team. The difficulty level of the tour is medium. The excursion addresses to people with knowledge in winter mountaineering.

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Minimum necessary equipment

  • winter sleeping bag, camping sleeping mattress, emergency survival blanket
  • waterproof jacket and trousers, jackknife, gaiters, 2 pairs of gloves, trekking sticks
  • camping gas burner and light food because you`ll have to carry all this in your backpack. Your backpack shouldn’t exceed 45l. For your hiking through the snow the backpack should be as easy as possible.

The only way to spend the night in the area is to camp or to do a bivouac at one of the sheepfolds used by the shepherds in summertime.

We recommend you to come in the area with touring skis or snow rackets. The snow layer in the wintertime, can reach from 0.5 m to 1,2 m thick.

Limestone Retezat in wintertime

Access: from Petrosani > Vulcan > Lupeni > Uricani > Campul lui Neag > keep driving on DN 66A (National Road) towards Casa de Vanatoare Campusel (Campusel Hunting House).

When reaching the yellow-dot trail marking indicator leave your car on the side of the road. The marking indicator will be on the right side of your driving direction, in Scocului gorges. The indicator with the marking is found in line with a bridge crossing the valley.

We suggest you to equip your car with winter tires and chains. Sometimes there is significant snow in the area and the snow removal is not that prompt.

the road leading to Scorotei gorge

Period: Depending on the amount of snow, you can climb here from December to March (in order to benefit from snow). When planning your trip, keep in mind the weather or avalanche warnings issued by the National Weather Institute.

Until the altitude of ~1600m, above the forest limit, you can climb any time of year. The route is very well marked and you shouldn’t face orientation issues.

Trail to Scorotei gorge

In order to reach the alpine area, follow the yellow-dot marking, through Scorotei gorges.

There is an approximate altitude difference of 430m to climb until reaching the place we suggest you to spend the night at. The path crosses Scorotei gorges. Here you can find Zeicului Cave witch is a wild cave. We recommend to visit it together with speleologists or tourist guides only..

Trails in Retezat Mountains
hiking in Piule – Iorgovanul mountains

Scorotei gorges start near the sub-alpine area, where the limestone rocks begin. Limestone rocks reach until the confluence of Scorota stream with Jiul de Vest River. Scorotei gorges are mostly dry. The walls of Scorotei gorges reach up to 350-400m high.

The proximity of the walls of the gorge varies between 3m (in the gorge entry area, coming from the road) to 350m (in the higher area of the gorge).

view of Scorotei gorge and Oslea mountains

Climbing Scorota Valley, you`ll notice the water stream branching into Scorota with water stream, Dry Scorota and Green Scorota. We`ll continue our hiking along Scorota with water valley, where our trail marking also guides us (yellow-dot).

Shelter in Retezat Mountains
sheepfold at the end of Scorotei gorge

The sheepfold from Scorota.At an altitude of 1580m you will come across a sheepfold. Here, in wintertime, you can spend the night free of charge, with the goodwill of the owners.

Your only consideration is to leave the place clean. Waking up early and having breakfast on the sheepfolds porch is completely worth it. The view is purely spectacular! Up front and below you`ll see Scorota gorges and further, Oslea ridge – a subdivision of Valcan Mountains.

breakfast on the sheepfold`s verandah

Starting from Scorota sheepfold area, you can go hiking across the slopes or along the ridge. It depends on the period chosen for this excursion. In case you have 2 days at your disposal, you can try climbing Albele Peak in one day and Piule Peak in the other day.

Hiking during winter time

Although the inclination of the slopes is not that high, we suggest you bring a pair of crampons + an climbing ice axes. Depending on the path you choose to climb, on some slopes you may encounter ice.

In case you bring touring skis, the distances covered in this trip will increase significantly. This area is very adequate for skiing.

Small Retezat Mountains

The safest path identified by us to climb to the ridge is on the left side (in the climbing direction) of the eastern cirque glacier Scorota. The area presents a low risk of avalanche, due to the less abrupt slope and to juniper plants. Nonetheless, you`ll have to orientate yourselves on the spot and to avoid cornices formed under the ridge.

The altitude of the main ridge ranges is between 1800 m and 1900 m, connecting all the main peaks of Piule-Iorgovanul Mountains.

Piule – Iorgovanul Mountains – subdivision of Limestone Retezat

It is also mandatory to bring with you a thermos with hot tea, emergency survival blanket and high-calorie food. In case the visibility is not good due to the bad weather, you shouldn’t venture yourselves touring.    

Oslea ridge – a subdivision of Valcan Mountains
Retezat Mountains
Ski touring area in Small Retezat mountains
Hiking in Limestone Retezat during winter

 Pentru versiunea in limba romana

RO

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