Do you want to go to the mountains on the weekend, but are tired of hours-long traffic jams in Valya Prahova and overpriced prices? Then you should try Făgăraş mountains and Argeş region. It’s only 3 hours from Bucharest, the Fagaras mountains are beautiful, the accommodation prices are affordable and there are no crowds.

Depending on your physical condition and what you like to do, you can take easy or very difficult routes, you can climb Warful Moldoviana (2544 m), the highest peak of our country, or you can walk through the surrounding villages, you can connect to nature in a tent or glamping, walk along the shores of Lake Balea or visit the cave church in Corbij de Piatra and the Manor of Mother Uta, a house-museum located under a huge stone hollow.

We stopped in Nuxoari (Argeş) because we planned to climb Moldoviana, and this place is the closest to the entrance of the route via Valea Rea, about two hours from Stâna lui Burnei.

The route is difficult, recommended for people with good physical fitness. It takes about two hours from Stâna lui Burnei to the plateau, a rather difficult and steep climb. Then there’s another hour or so on the plateau with an easy climb, and then it’s up the ridge and on the ridge, more technical and challenging again, for another two hours. The descent takes about 3 hours and is easy. Again, the trail is tough, but the view is great, well worth the effort.

There are routes more difficult than this and longer, but there are also easy routes that can be done even with big children. The full list can be found here.

If you don’t like to go to the mountains or have very small children, you might be interested in an excursion to the cave church of Corbii de Piatră and the house of Mother Uta, a house-museum located under a huge stone hollow.

The monastery “Corbii de Piatră” is located in the village of Jgeaburi, commune of Corbi. The first attestation dates back to the 14th century, but there is evidence that it is older.

The monastery church is dug into the rock. Next to the church, also dug into the rock, there is a monastery refectory, a dining room, a room carved into the rock.

The church can be visited every day. If you don’t find it open, there are phone numbers posted at the entrance where you can report your visit and it will be opened immediately.

You can also take a trip to Lake Balea by car, and from there take an easy route or spend a day by the water.

Or you can walk through the villages at the foot of the mountains.

We stayed in Nuxoari at a glamping site, a place that combines tent accommodation with hotel conditions. That is, a large tent with a bed and everything necessary. I paid about 200 lei per night.

An interesting experience for the townspeople, worth a try, just take thick sleeping bags, because in the glamping where we spent the night, the tents were not heated, and it was about 10 degrees outside, even though it was July. Of course, the owner took care and left a sleeping bag in the tent, but it is worth taking thick pajamas from home.

If you do not like such accommodation, a night in a boarding house costs from 150 to 200 lei.

The only problem in the area is with food. We found only two places to eat, one with decent prices, the other we paid over 100 lei for two bowls of soup and two spoons of sausage, more expensive than in the Old Center. Therefore, it does not hurt to take something from home, especially if you have small children.