Hiking (medium-hard): Busteni - Take Ionescu - Malaiesti - return

Please join the event and then contact me on WhatsApp +40755044666 to add you to the dedicated event group.
Please note that the meeting time is at the North Rail Station to be in time for the 6:40am train to Busteni (IR 11531 - Astra Trans Carpatic). We start the hike at 8:20am unless this train is late, in which case we'll wait for it.

Track
Busteni train station (885m) - Valea Costilei - Take Ionescu - Cabana Malaiesti (1720m) - return
Start time: 8:20am at Busteni train station
Difficulty: Medium-Hard
Length: 25km
Elevation gain: 1280m
Estimated time: 10-12h
Route type: Out and back

Planning (estimated)
6:40am leaving from Bucharest Nord - IR 11531 - Astra Trans Carpatic
8:16am arrive at Busteni train station
8:20am beging hike
2:00pm arrive at Cabana Malaiesti (1720m)
2:00pm-2:30pm Lunch (bring your own or buy at cabana)
8:00pm (estimate) - arrive at train station Busteni (885m)
8:49pm - last train to Bucharest
This is just a rough estimate, do not plan other events in the evening.

Make sure you have a headlamp (lanternă frontală) in case we get caught by the dark on the way back.
The weather conditions in the mountains are very different from Bucharest, bring more warm layers.

Arrival
By train
București Nord
(6:40) IR 11531 (Astra Trans Carpatic) - Busteni (8:16) we will wait for this train if there are delays
Use this website to plan and buy tickets https://mersultrenurilor.infofer.ro/en-GB/Train-itineraries/Bucuresti-Nord/Busteni?DepartureDate=31.05.2025

There are plenty of trains to return from Busteni to Bucuresti Nord. Please do not buy a return ticket yet, as it would not be valid for another train in case we miss it.
https://mersultrenurilor.infofer.ro/en-GB/Train-itineraries/Busteni/Bucuresti-Nord?DepartureDate=31.05.2025

By car
Please plan to arrive in time by 8:00am as we start the hike at exactly 8:20am.

Packing

• Hiking backpack 20-40L
• Hiking boots or shoes
• Headlamp (lanternă frontală) with spare batteries
• Rain or shell jacket
• Warm layers (avoid cotton): (1) quick dry t-shirt/thermal base layer (merinos or synthetic), (2) polar hoodie, (3) down/synthetic jacket
• Water/tea - 2-3L (can also buy more water at Cabana Malaiesti)
• Hiking poles/sticks (optional)
• Fruit juice (optional) as energy drink
• Electrolytes, magnesium (optional)
• Energy gels (optional)
• Snacks - fruit, energy bars, dry fruit
• Lunch (optional, can buy at cabana)
• Cash for buying food/drinks at Cabana's
• Beanie / buff / gloves
• Power bank (optional)
• Sun protection - hat / baseball cap, sun glasses, sunscreen, lips balm

Contact me on WhatsApp +40755044666 for any questions.