Hiking (medium): Predeal - Cabana Diham - Valea Costilei - Busteni

Contact me on WhatsApp +40755044666 for any questions and to add you to the event chat group once you signed up.

Please note that the meeting time is at the North Rail Station to be in time for the 6:40am train to Predeal (IR 11531 - Astra Trans Carpatic). We start the hike at 8:40am unless this train is late, in which case we'll wait for it.

Intro
Cabana Diham, open all year round, is an important base point in the area for hiking on the Bucegi Mountains as well as a place for rest in the middle of the pine forests. During the winter, it is used as a base for skiing.

We will reach the chalet around lunch time, you can either eat your own food or try some of their options they have on offer. Make sure you bring some cash for that.

Track
Predeal train station (1030m) - Cabana Diham (1320m) - Busteni train station (885m)
Start time: 8:40am at Predeal train station
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 19km
Elevation gain: 780m
Estimated time: 10-12h
Route type: One way

Planning (estimated)
6:40am leaving from Bucharest Nord - IR 11531 - Astra Trans Carpatic
8:32am arrive at Predeal train station
8:40am beging hike
1:30pm arrive at Cabana Diham (1310m)
1:30pm-2:30pm lunch (plenty of options to buy from cabana or bring your own)
7:30pm (estimate) - arrive at train station Busteni (885m)

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) - Predeal (8:32) 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/Predeal?DepartureDate=12.10.2025

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=12.10.2025

By car
Please plan to arrive in time by 8:20am as we start the hike at exactly 8:40am.

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 Diham)
• Hiking poles/sticks (optional)
• Fruit juice (optional) as energy drink
• Electrolytes, magnesium (optional)
• Energy gels (optional)
• Snacks - fruit, energy bars, dry fruit, nuts
• Lunch (dinner optional)
• 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.