Romania's mountains, forests and clean air, right outside your window
Complex Caraiman sits in the center of Bușteni, in the Prahova Valley, at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains. Marked trails, waterfalls and cable car access start a short walk from the door.
Where you are
Bușteni, in the Prahova Valley, on the edge of the Carpathians
Bușteni is a small mountain town in Prahova County, about two hours by road or train from Bucharest. It sits in the Prahova Valley, a corridor of pine forest and rock between the Bucegi and Baiu Mountains, part of the Southern Carpathians. The town is a traditional starting point for hikers heading into Bucegi Natural Park, one of the oldest protected areas in Romania.
Complex Caraiman is on the main boulevard, two minutes from the train station, with the cable car station and the trailhead for Urlătoarea Waterfall both within easy walking distance.
Bucegi Natural Park
Forests, cliffs and open plateau above the tree line
Spruce and beech woodland
The lower trails climb through spruce forest mixed with beech, opening onto rock and alpine meadow above around 1,800 meters.
Brown bear, chamois, golden eagle
Bucegi is home to brown bear, red deer and Carpathian chamois on the higher rock faces, with golden eagle and other birds of prey overhead.
The Sphinx and Babele
Wind-carved rock formations on the Bucegi plateau, reachable on foot or by cable car from Bușteni in around fifteen minutes.
Alpine meadow and rare plants
Above the forest line, the plateau holds alpine grassland with edelweiss and other protected species found only at altitude.
Getting outside
Three ways to explore from Bușteni
Walk to Urlătoarea Waterfall
An easy path of around 3.6 km from the town center, roughly 1h15 each way, suitable for most fitness levels.
See all trailsTake the cable car to the plateau
The Bușteni cable car climbs to around 2,200 meters in about fifteen minutes, reaching the Babele and Caraiman areas without a long climb.
Things to doHike to Omu Peak
A full mountain day, around 11 km and 6 to 7 hours from Bușteni, to the highest peak in the Bucegi range at 2,505 m.
Trail detailsA base at the trailhead, not on the edge of town
Rooms, a family-run restaurant and staff who can point you to the right trail for the weather and your fitness level.