I love autumn road trips. Especially the kind where you don’t necessarily have a carefully planned itinerary — you just want to see as much fall foliage as possible, stop here and there for photos, and enjoy the mountains.
*Le husband, however, does not share this particular passion of mine. 😊
He has other interests. He can, for example, spend hours watching videos about quantum physics, astronomy, and all sorts of things about the Universe that I only half understand. 🤓
So, we found a compromise.
When I want a proper hike, I go with friends. When we want to spend the day together, we choose places we can reach by car, where we can enjoy the mountains without having to hike uphill for hours.
And, in my opinion, the Piatra Craiului area is perfect for this kind of day out.
Especially in autumn.
There are two places near Brașov that we love going back to in autumn, when the forests turn every shade of yellow, copper and rust, and the entire landscape becomes absolutely spectacular. And since we’re talking about our relationship compromises, they both have one major advantage: you can get very close by car and enjoy the scenery without a strenuous hike.
I’m talking about Prăpăstiile Zărneștiului and Plaiul Foii.
Prăpăstiile Zărneștiului – when you want to get as close to the mountains as possible
Prăpăstiile Zărneștiului is one of my favorite places in the Piatra Craiului area.
Not just because the cliffs are spectacular, but because you really get the feeling that you’re venturing into the mountains, even though you haven’t set off on an all-day hike.
Prăpăstiile Zărneștiului is a spectacular gorge, with towering limestone walls rising on either side of the valley. As you walk farther in, the cliffs become increasingly impressive, and if you happen to visit on a beautiful autumn day, the contrast between the grey rock and the colors of the forest is absolutely gorgeous.
And, fortunately for those who aren’t particularly keen on hiking, you don’t have to climb a mountain to enjoy the scenery. You can drive close to the barrier on the forest road, and from there continue on foot. The road through the gorge is wide and easy to walk, so you can simply go as far as you feel like, at your own pace, without committing to a proper mountain trail.
You can stop for photos, admire the cliffs and, if you only came for a leisurely autumn walk, turn around whenever you feel you’ve walked enough.
That’s one of the things I love about this place: the scenery is spectacular even when the effort isn’t. 😊
Plaiul Foii – our version of a compromise
If Prăpăstiile Zărneștiului makes you feel like you’ve stepped into the mountains, at Plaiul Foii it feels as though the mountains come to you.
And I think that’s exactly why I like it so much.
Plaiul Foii is about 12 kilometers from Zărnești, and you can drive all the way to the area around the mountain lodge. The road follows the Bârsa Valley and, as you get closer, Piatra Craiului gradually begins to dominate the landscape.
Once you’re there, you have pretty much everything I want from an autumn day out: open meadows, forest, the Bârsa River and the Piatra Craiului ridge rising in the background.
And if you happen to visit on a clear day, when the forest has already changed color, the views are gorgeous.
You can park in the designated areas and take a walk along the Bârsa River or simply wander around the surroundings. If you feel like doing something a little more active, several hiking trails also start from Plaiul Foii. And if you don’t, that’s perfectly fine too.
You can simply sit on the terrace at Cabana Plaiul Foii, order something nice, and look at the mountains.
Guess which option *le husband prefers. 😄
And, to be fair, I don’t exactly mind it either.
If you want to see the autumn colors without a difficult hike
I think this is actually why I like these two places so much.
You don’t have to be an avid hiker. You don’t need sophisticated hiking gear, and you certainly don’t need to be prepared for an entire day on mountain trails.
You can simply leave Brașov, head towards Zărnești and Piatra Craiului, park wherever access and parking are permitted, and go for a walk.
At Plaiul Foii, you can drive all the way to the area around the mountain lodge, while at Prăpăstiile Zărneștiului you’ll need to continue on foot once you reach the barrier on the forest road.
Either way, you don’t have to walk very far to be rewarded with beautiful scenery.
And if you’re lucky enough to get a clear autumn day, when the forest is covered in shades of yellow, orange and rust, you might discover that you don’t need a several-hour hike to enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery near Brașov.
That’s exactly what I look for on days like these: a little bit of mountain, a little bit of walking, lots of photos and as much autumn color as possible.
And apparently, that’s a compromise we can both live with. 😊
In short
📍 Prăpăstiile Zărneștiului: Drive from Zărnești to the area near the barrier on the forest road, then continue on foot through the gorge. You don’t need to walk the entire route to enjoy the scenery.
📍 Plaiul Foii: About 12 km from Zărnești. You can drive to the area around the mountain lodge and take short walks from there.
🥾 For an easy walk: Wear comfortable shoes, preferably with good grip, bring clothes suitable for changing weather and carry some water. In autumn, even an easy road can have muddy sections or be slippery with wet leaves.
🚗 Driving: Respect the barriers and signs inside Piatra Craiului National Park, and only leave your car in places where parking is permitted.
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