Cheia Resort

If you want mountains without the crowds of the Prahova Valley, Cheia is an excellent choice. The village resort lies in the Teleajen Valley, in a small depression surrounded by mountains: to the north the Ciucas mountains, with their spectacular rocky shapes, to the east the Zaganu ridge, and to the west Mount Babes. The air is clean, the pace slow, and the trails to the ridges start right from the village. Cheia is about 111 kilometres from Gherghita.

A short history

Cheia belongs to the commune of Maneciu, in Prahova county. At the end of the 19th century the settlement was called Teleajenul and had only a few dozen inhabitants. It was close to the Bratocea customs post, one of the crossing points between Romania and Austria-Hungary, on the road to Brasov.

Later the village took its name from Cheia Monastery, located nearby. Thanks to its clean air and tranquillity, Cheia gradually became a climatic resort, recommended for rest and recovery after periods of fatigue. Today it has hotels, guesthouses and holiday homes, but it has kept the atmosphere of a mountain village.

What you can visit

• Cheia Monastery, an old monastery with a white church, traditional buildings and a peaceful courtyard, on the edge of the resort
• The Teleajen Valley, with roads and paths along the river
• The trails to the Ciucas mountains, which lead from Cheia to Muntele Rosu, Tigaile and Ciucas Peak
• The Maneciu dam and reservoir, on the way to Cheia, with beautiful views of the mountains
• Walks through the village, among holiday homes and meadows

When to go and how much time to allow

Cheia is beautiful all year round. Summer and autumn are ideal for hikes towards Ciucas, while in winter the resort has a quiet atmosphere, good for walks and sledging. For the monastery and a walk through the resort allow half a day; if you climb to the ridges, set aside a full day.

One-day itinerary

• 08:00 – leave Gherghita towards Ploiesti and Valenii de Munte
• 10:00 – arrive in Cheia, visit Cheia Monastery
• 11:00 – an easy hike along the Teleajen Valley or towards Muntele Rosu
• 13:30 – lunch at a guesthouse in the resort
• 15:00 – a stop at the Maneciu reservoir for photos
• 16:30 – drive back to Gherghita

With children

Cheia is very suitable for families: it is quiet, safe and has green spaces around the guesthouses. The valley walks are easy, and the monastery with its courtyard is a good place for a stop. The trails to the Ciucas ridge are longer and better suited to older children.

At a glance

• Distance from Dracula Land: about 111 km, around 2 hours, via Valenii de Munte
• How much time to allow: half a day or a full day
• Best time: all year; summer and autumn for hiking
• Suitable for: families, people looking for peace and quiet, hikers
• What you will find: a monastery, guesthouses, trails to Ciucas

How to get there from Dracula Land

The distance from Gherghita to Cheia is about 111 km, around 2 hours without traffic. The route is different from the one to the Prahova Valley:

• from Gherghita towards the Ploiesti area, then north on county roads
• through Valenii de Munte, on the DN1A, along the Teleajen Valley
• past the Maneciu reservoir and on to Cheia

The advantage of this route is that it avoids the weekend crowds on the DN1.

Practical tips

• In winter the road to Cheia and on to the Bratocea Pass can be covered in snow; check its condition beforehand.
• Modest dress and quiet are expected at the monastery.
• Wild animals live in the area, including bears; do not leave food scraps outside and keep your distance.
• For mountain trails, check the forecast and take suitable gear.

Why it is worth it

Cheia is the quiet alternative to the Prahova Valley resorts. The road there runs through the villages of the Teleajen Valley and past the Maneciu reservoir, and the resort gives you direct access to some of the most beautiful mountains in the Curvature Carpathians.

The Teleajen Valley, the road to Cheia

The road to Cheia is an excursion in itself. After Valenii de Munte, the DN1A follows the Teleajen Valley, among hills and mountain villages with traditional houses and orchards. On the way you pass the Maneciu reservoir, with clear water and mountains all around, a good place for a break and photos. Further on the valley narrows and beech and fir forests come close to the road, until you reach the depression where the resort lies.

What to take with you

• warm clothes and a waterproof jacket, even in summer: evenings in Cheia are cool
• hiking shoes, if you want to climb towards Muntele Rosu or Ciucas
• water and snacks for the trails; there are no shops in the mountains
• cash for the huts and for produce bought from locals

Where to stay

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