Traseu: Șimon – Poiana Guțanu – Cabana Padina (bandă roșie)

In short (checked 13 October 2026)

A long, demanding full-day route from the village of Șimon to Cabana Padina. Waymark: red stripe (code 01MN27). Distance: 18.73 km according to Munții Noștri, 18.8 km according to OpenStreetMap. Elevation: 1,259 m of ascent and 507 m of descent. Duration: 7:45 h; the Munții Noștri description speaks of about 7–8 h. Difficulty: medium/difficult.

Where it goes

According to Munții Noștri, the route leaves the church in Șimon along the paved road of the Șimon Valley; after the last houses it crosses a bridge towards the Lom Valley and climbs the Plaiul lui Lom ridge, through two long clearings with views towards the Leaota Mountains. It continues over Muntele Pleșei to Poiana Guțanu, past the former Bângăleasa hunting lodge, then contours through the upper reaches of the Grohotiș, Rea, Merezului and Prăvale valleys to Șaua Strunga (1,909 m), with the Strunga refuge. It descends below Muntele Colți, past the Strunga sheepfold, to Cabana Padina (1,509 m).

Safety

In winter, according to Munții Noștri, heavy snow can cause problems. Water: the only spring on the route is in the Prăvale Valley, about 5 minutes before Șaua Strunga. Shelters: the Strunga refuge and Cabana Padina, at the end. Check beforehand whether the huts are open and have room. The risk of bears is not published in our sources. In an emergency call 112 or 0SALVAMONT (0725 826 668). Salvamont Brașov (county service), information: 0736 628 948.

Getting to the start

From MAX International in Râșnov, take the DN73 towards Bran. From Bran, continue to the village of Șimon. Parking at the start is not published in our sources. The route does not return to the start, so plan your way back beforehand. Cabana Padina is in the Bucegi, far from Șimon. You can see the distance and driving time with the navigation buttons on this page.