The 3 Peaks Challenge in Romania
Summit three peaks in the beautiful Retezat Mountains, Romania’s first national park and its wildest, best-protected massif
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guidesMountain Hut
4 nights in a cosy, family-run mountain hutMeals
All breakfasts, lunches, and dinnersTransfers
Group transfer to and from the airport and everything in betweenPermits & Equipment
Your park permits and plus trekking poles, if requiredSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 8 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
…
What's it like?
Summit Custura (2457m) and take in panoramic views of the entire Retezat range, including its highest peaks and the rugged Parâng Mountains beyond
Follow the limestone ridges of the ‘Little Retezat’ to the top of Piatra Iorgovanului (2041m) a wild contrast to the surrounding granite landscapes
Take on the challenging climb up Peleaga (2509m), Retezat’s highest summit, before descending to the stunning glacial waters of Bucura Lake
Unplug at Cabana Buta, a cosy mountain hut with stunning views, delicious food and genuine hospitality in the heart of the southern Carpathians
Key Information
Day 1
Travel to the Retezat Mountains
Driving
Hiking
Your adventure begins at Cluj-Napoca Airport, where you’ll meet your group and set off on the scenic four-hour drive toward the Retezat Mountains. Please note that your flight must arrive strictly by 1:30 pm to ensure enough time to reach the cabin before dark. See the Getting There section for more details. Before hitting the road, or along the way, you’ll have the chance to grab some snacks or a quick bite if you’re feeling hungry. The journey circles the Retezat range, winding from the north to the east and finally south, offering glimpses of the dramatic landscapes that you'll be exploring over the next few days. Reaching the drop-off point, you’ll lace up your boots for a short hike (around 40 minutes) through the wilderness to your base for the next few days – Cabana Buta. Nestled deep in the mountains at 1580m, this cosy mountain refuge is the perfect place to unplug and immerse yourself in nature. After settling in, enjoy a hearty dinner and a briefing on the adventure ahead, as your guide shares stories about Retezat National Park, Romania’s oldest and wildest protected area.
Day 2
Bag your first peak: Custura (2457m)
Hiking
Today, you’ll venture into the rugged beauty of the Retezat Mountains, a remote corner of the southern Carpathians known for its glacial lakes, deep valleys and dramatic ridgelines. After breakfast, you’ll set off right from the cabin's doorstep to begin a steady climb to Plaiul Mic Saddle (1879m), where the terrain shifts from forested slopes to exposed granite peaks. From here, the ridge leads you toward Custura Peak (2457m), rewarding your efforts with sweeping 360° views. On a clear day, you’ll see the full scale of the Retezat range, including Peleaga, its highest peak, which you’ll summit later in the trip. To the south, the limestone ridges of the 'Little Retezat' and the distant Parâng Mountains stretch toward the horizon. After soaking up the views, you’ll descend to Buta Cabin to relax before enjoying a well-earned dinner.
Day 3
Ascend to Piatra Iorgovanului Peak (2041m)
Hiking
Today, you’ll explore a different side of the Retezat Mountains – Little Retezat, a distinct subrange shaped by sedimentary limestone rather than the imposing granite peaks of the main range. This contrast in geology creates a strikingly different landscape, with rugged, weathered formations, unique flora, and a more open, karst-like terrain. Setting out from the cabin, you’ll retrace part of your route to Plaiul Mic Saddle (1879m), before heading in the opposite direction from your previous ridge walk. As you ascend, the central peaks of the Retezat range will remain in view to your right, offering a continuous backdrop of jagged summits and deep valleys. The hike follows the undulating ridgeline of Little Retezat, gradually climbing and descending as you make your way toward Piatra Iorgovanului Peak (2041m). Here, you’ll witness the full contrast between the two mountain regions – with the limestone’s sharp, sculpted formations replacing the massive granite domes of the main Retezat. Along the way, you’ll also notice how the change in geology has shaped the vegetation, with different plant species thriving in these drier soils. After taking in the views from the summit, you’ll begin your return journey, making your way back to Buta Cabin for another well-earned evening of rest and good food.
Day 4
Summit Peleaga (2509m) and hike to Bucura Lake
Hiking
Today, you'll tackle the most challenging hike of the trip – and you'll need to get an early start to make the most of the day. From Buta Cabin, you’ll walk once more to Plaiul Mic Saddle before descending into the Pelegii glade, a scenic valley that serves as a popular camping spot and gateway to the main ridge of the Retezat Mountains. From here, the real climb begins as you tackle the steep ascent through Peleaga Valley, passing the crystal-clear waters of the Peleguța glacier lake before pushing on to the highest peak in the range – Peleaga (2509m). The effort is well worth it, as the summit offers breathtaking panoramic views over the entire Retezat range. On exceptionally clear autumn days, you might even spot the Danube shimmering in the distance. The adventure doesn’t stop here, though: after basking in the views, you’ll continue toward Bucura Lake, Romania’s largest glacial lake, nestled beneath a dramatic amphitheatre of jagged peaks. Along the way, you’ll pass several other glacial lakes – Ana, Lia, Viorica, and Florica – each adding to the stunning alpine scenery. From Bucura Lake, you’ll head down all the way back to Peleaga glade before making the final push back to Buta Cabin, where a well-earned farewell dinner and final peaceful night in the mountains await.
Day 5
Explore Bolii cave and Banitei Gorge before heading home
Hiking
Driving
After breakfast, pack up and descend on foot from Buta Cabin to your pick up point. A scenic 30-minute drive will take you to two of the region’s most captivating natural wonders: Bolii Cave and the Banitei Gorge. These incredible sites offer a fascinating glimpse into the area’s geological history, with the cave’s eerie, ancient formations and the gorge’s dramatic cliffs and winding river creating the perfect setting for exploring on foot before heading home. Next, you'll stop for a delicious lunch at a local gastronomic spot, where you’ll have the opportunity to taste some of the region’s freshest dishes, made with locally sourced ingredients. Satisfied and ready for the journey home, you'll then continue back to Cluj-Napoca Airport, where you'll be dropped off at around 18:00.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Cluj-Napoca Airport
13:45 on Day 1
Ends
Cluj-Napoca Airport
18:00 on Day 5
Transfers
Your adventure kicks off at Cluj-Napoca Airport (CLJ), where your group transfer will depart at approximately 13:45, or shortly after the early afternoon flight arrives. To ensure a smooth pickup, please schedule your flight to land at least 30 minutes before this time. Your host will be waiting for you in the arrivals area. As the journey includes a four-hour drive followed by a 40-minute hike to the mountain hut, a later private transfer cannot be arranged. If your flight arrival doesn’t align with the group transfer, we recommend arriving a day early and staying overnight in Cluj-Napoca, then joining the group for the scheduled departure. For your return, you’ll be dropped off at Cluj-Napoca Airport by 18:00 at the latest. You’re free to book any flight departing after 20:00 or, if you prefer, extend your stay with an extra night in Cluj-Napoca before heading home.
Travel options
There are regular direct flights to Cluj-Napoca Airport from airports across the UK and Europe, including daily direct flights with Wizzair from/to London Luton.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
You’ll be well-fed throughout the trip with hearty, home-cooked meals and picnics, perfect for refuelling after long days on the trail. Breakfasts are simple yet satisfying, typically including fresh bread, eggs, jam, honey, and coffee or tea. For lunch, you’ll carry packed meals consisting of sandwiches, sweet and savoury snacks, dried fruits, fresh fruit, chocolate, and nuts to keep your energy levels up during the hikes. Dinners at the cabin are homemade and full of local flavours, with specialities such as warming soups, lamb stew, and other traditional Romanian dishes. On Day 5, you’ll enjoy a special three-course lunch at a local gastronomic point before heading back to Cluj-Napoca.
If you have dietary requirements or allergies, please note that vegetarians can be catered for, but options for vegans may be more limited due to the remoteness of the location. Gluten-intolerant travellers are advised to bring supplementary snacks from home, as gluten-free products are not readily available. Be sure to mention any dietary needs on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Cabana Buta
You'll spend four nights at Buta Cabin, a cosy and authentic mountain refuge set at 1580m in the heart of Retezat National Park. Its location is unbeatable – high in the mountains, it's an ideal base for your day hikes to the surrounding peaks without the need to carry your full overnight kit every day. While simple, the cabin provides everything you need after a long day on the trails: clean shared rooms (you'll be accommodated in triples or quadruples and split by gender), hot showers, and hearty home-cooked meals prepared with fresh ingredients by your welcoming hosts. Electricity is limited, with charging available in common areas, and there’s no mobile signal—just the sound of a nearby mountain stream and a sky full of stars. Evenings can be spent by the fire, sharing stories with your fellow hikers. With sustainability at its core and a long history of serving the mountain community, Buta Cabin is more than just a place to sleep – it’s a rare and special retreat, offering a true off-grid experience in one of Romania’s wildest landscapes.
Upgrades
Due to the limited capacity of the accommodation, a single room upgrade is not available for this trip.
This trip has been rated as Challenging
You'll be on the trails for 6-10 hours, covering an average of 10-17km over mountainous terrain, each day. This will involve some steep ascents and descents in order to reach your summits at altitudes of around 2500m. All days can be easily managed if you have previous hiking experience and a good level of fitness. Although none of the hikes are technical, expect parts that will really get your heart pounding and a bit of scrambling towards the top. You'll need to be sure-footed and have good stamina in order to fully enjoy the challenge but the views of the stunning Retezat Mountains will be worth all the effort.
What if i need to skip an activity?
A good level of fitness is essential to comfortably complete each hike. However, since you’ll be staying in the same mountain hut for four nights rather than trekking point to point, you’ll have the flexibility to skip a hike if you prefer a more relaxed day to soak up the stunning mountain views from the comfort of the cabin.
What will I need to carry?
You’ll need a bigger rucksack to carry all your belongings between the transfer drop-off and pick-up points on Day 1 and Day 5, with a 40-minute hike each way to reach the cabin. To keep things manageable, we recommend limiting your main bag to 50-60 litres. For daily hikes, you’ll only need a small daypack (maximum 30 litre recommended) to carry essentials like water, snacks, and extra layers.
The Retezat Mountains offer excellent hiking conditions from late June to early October, with relatively stable weather and accessible peaks and trails. During this period, daytime temperatures in the valleys range from 18-25°C (64-77°F), while higher altitudes remain cooler, averaging 10-18°C (50-64°F). On warmer days, temperatures can reach 28°C (82°F) in the valleys, but nights at elevation can drop to 5-10°C (41-50°F). While summer weather is generally favourable, afternoon thunderstorms are more common in July and August. By late September and early October, temperatures begin to drop but the trails are less busy. In early summer, alpine meadows are lush and dotted with wildflowers, while glacial lakes remain full from melting snow. Forested valleys provide cooler, shaded trails, and by late September, autumn colours start to appear at higher elevations. Your host will monitor conditions and adjust the itinerary if necessary to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience in the mountains.
We’re still waiting to collect any reviews from other travellers on this trip. However, all our hosts go through an extensive vetting process to ensure that your adventure is awesome.
Itinerary Activities
- Guided hike to summit Custura (2457m)
- Guided hike to summit Piatra Iorgovanului (2041m)
- Guided hike to summit Peleaga Peak (2509m) and on to Bucura Lake
- Visit to Bolii Cave and Banitei Gorge
Guides
- Expert, local, English-speaking guides
Accommodation
- 4 nights in a family-run hut in the heart of the Retezat Mountains
Meals
All your meals are provided for the duration of the trip. This includes:
- 4 tasty breakfasts
- 3 packed lunches (Days 2-4) and one meal at a local restaurant on Day 5
- 3 hearty dinners at the mountain hut to fuel you up after the hikes
Transfers
- Group arrival transfer from Cluj-Napoca Airport on Day 1
- Group departure transfer to Cluj-Napoca Airport on Day 5
Permits & Equipment
- Permits for Retezat National Park and Grădiștea Muncelului-Cioclovina Natural Park
- Entrance fees for Bolii Cave
Our trips are hassle-free by design. We include all the activities and equipment, as well as many of the meals, so you can simply rock up with your rucksack and share the adventure with your new pals.
Travel to and from the trip
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Tips
Tips are not included in the trip cost; these are entirely at your discretion. If you would like to tip, the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality. However, as a guideline, we suggest:
- €20 per person for the main guide
- €5 per person for the driver
Personal Expenses
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Please note that alcohol and refreshments are not included in the trip price, but they can be purchased at the hut, which accepts only cash payments in Lei. A cash withdrawal can be arranged on your way to the mountains.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine, as their insurance offers all of the above.
Visas
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. The following advice may be subject to change. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
What is provided?
Trekking poles (if you want them)
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
Main rucksack for your overnight kit (50-60 litres)
Hiking pack (25-30 litres)
Waterproof liner/drybags for kitbag or rucksack
CLOTHES
Lightweight down or synthetic jacket
Lightweight waterproof and windproof jacket
Breathable wicking layers
Fleece jacket or similar
Buff or neck scarf
Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts for hiking
T-shirts
Underwear and socks
Sunglasses
Sunhat
Warm hat and gloves
Something to sleep in
Hiking boots (worn-in)
Lightweight shoes or flip flops/sandals for when you're at the cabin
OTHER
Universal travel plug adapter
Power bank or solar charger
Passports (and visas)
Travel insurance documents
Suncream
Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
Quick-dry towel
Alcohol hand-gel
Headtorch or torch
Two reusable water bottles (1.5 litre) or a water bladder (2.5-3 litres)
Insect repellent
OPTIONAL
Earplugs
Energy bars or your favourite snacks
Lunch box (to avoid using packaging and plastic bags for your meals during the trek)
Eye mask for sleeping
Sleeping bag liner
No optional extras are available for this trip.
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 224kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
In adverse weather conditions, it may not be safe to ascend the most exposed paths; therefore your guide will monitor conditions and adjust the route as needed. In the event of unusually high snowfall in June, you won’t be using crampons or ice axes on this non-technical trek, and alternative routes may be taken instead. Your host will stay in touch before departure and inform you if extreme weather is expected. There are contingency plans for the parts of the itinerary most likely to be affected by unseasonable conditions.
If your inbound flight is significantly delayed and there isn’t enough daylight to reach Buta Cabin on Day 1, your host will arrange an overnight stay in Cluj-Napoca, with an early transfer to the cabin on Day 2. In this case, the order of hikes and activities may be adjusted to ensure everything can still be covered comfortably.
Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamt of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.
Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 55 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures, challenging treks to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.
What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community, and the environment.
The tap water in the mountains is generally safe to drink. Please bring along your own reusable water bottles to fill up at the mountain hut to avoid buying single use plastic bottles.
This trip visits locations at or above 2500m. At this altitude some people may experience symptoms associated with Altitude Sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Previous experience at high altitude is not necessarily an indicator of future performance. Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with altitude, by carefully managing the rate of ascent and the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided. Owing to the nature of this trip, it is essential that your personal travel insurance policy provides cover up to the maximum altitude visited on this trip as well as emergency medical evacuation by helicopter.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
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DEPARTURE DATES
Saturday 27th September 2025
to Wednesday 1st October 2025
New Trip Offer - Next 2 spots available at 10% off
