Predeal

Predeal is the highest town in Romania, between about 1,030 and 1,110 metres. It sits right in the pass that links the Prahova Valley with the Barsa Land, surrounded by three massifs: the Bucegi, Postavarul and Piatra Mare. The clean air, fir forests and ski slopes make it a popular destination all year round. Predeal is about 118 kilometres from Gherghita.

A short history

The upper Prahova Valley began to be settled in the 17th century, when the tax-exempt peasants of Sinaia Monastery settled here. The decisive moment came in 1852, when the customs post between Wallachia and Transylvania moved from Breaza to Predeal. The customs post brought traffic, trade and, later, tourists.

Until the Great Union of 1918, Predeal was the border town between the Kingdom of Romania and the Habsburg Empire. The border guards' building still stands today, a reminder of those times. The Ploiesti – Brasov railway, opened at the end of the 19th century, turned the town into a climatic and winter sports resort.

What you can do here

• Skiing and snowboarding on the Clabucet and Cioplea slopes, suitable for beginners and intermediates
• Easy hikes to the surrounding mountain huts, such as Trei Brazi or Garbova, through fir forests
• Walks through the town, among old villas and period buildings preserved from the resort's early days
• Bike rides on the forest roads and surrounding trails
• Stops at monasteries and churches in the area, peaceful places in the middle of the forest

When to go and how much time to allow

The mountain climate, with cool summers and cold winters, makes Predeal interesting in every season. Summer is perfect for walks and easy hikes, autumn for the forest colours, and winter for skiing and sledging. For a relaxed visit allow half a day; if you want to walk up to a mountain hut, set aside a full day.

One-day itinerary

• 08:00 – leave Gherghita, via the A3 and DN1
• 09:45 – arrive in Predeal, a walk through the centre and around the station
• 10:30 – an easy trail to a forest hut, for example Trei Brazi
• 13:00 – lunch at the hut or in town
• 15:00 – head down with a stop in Azuga or Busteni on the way back
• 18:00 – arrive at your accommodation in Gherghita

With children

Predeal is good for families: the easy slopes, sledging in winter and short forest walks are popular with children. The paths to the huts are generally accessible, but check the length of the trail beforehand and take snacks and extra clothes.

At a glance

• Distance from Dracula Land: about 118 km, around an hour and 45 minutes
• How much time to allow: half a day or a full day
• Best time: all year; winter for skiing and sledging
• Suitable for: families, beginner skiers, people looking for peace and quiet
• What you will find: a railway station, ski slopes, forest huts, hotels and guesthouses

How to get there from Dracula Land

The distance from Gherghita to Predeal is about 118 km, around an hour and 45 minutes without traffic:

• the DJ100B and the A3 to Ploiesti
• then the DN1, through Sinaia, Busteni and Azuga, to Predeal

By train, Predeal has a station on the main Bucharest – Brasov line, with many connections a day.

Practical tips

• As the highest town in the country, Predeal is colder than the rest of the Prahova Valley; take warm clothes even in spring and autumn.
• In winter the roads can be covered in snow; check their condition and equip your car accordingly.
• At weekends traffic on the DN1 is heavy, especially on the way back; leave early or later in the evening.
• Bears live in the surrounding forests; do not leave food scraps and keep your distance from animals.

Combine the trip

Predeal sits between the Prahova Valley and Brasov, so it combines easily with other stops: Azuga and Busteni to the south, Brasov and Poiana Brasov to the north. Also close to Predeal is Seven Ladders Canyon, at Timisu de Jos.

The Predeal Pass

Predeal is not just a town but also one of the most important passes in the Carpathians. Two valleys meet here: the Prahova river flows south towards the Romanian Plain, and the Timis river flows north towards Brasov. For hundreds of years the trade route between Muntenia and Transylvania passed this way, and today both the DN1 and the main Bucharest – Brasov railway run through here. Its position between three massifs, the Bucegi, Postavarul and Piatra Mare, means the town is surrounded by forests on all sides.

Predeal for rest

Thanks to its clean, moist air and its altitude, Predeal has long been recommended for rest and recovery after periods of fatigue. Many hotels and villas in the town were built precisely for this kind of tourism. If you want a quiet day without hard trails, a walk through the forests around the town and a meal at a mountain hut are enough to come back rested.

Where to stay

After a day in the mountains, return to quiet accommodation near Dracula Land, in and around Gherghita.