Holiday apartment in Coteneşti: history, peaks and cycling circuit

Coteneşti combines a local history mentioned in 16th-century documents with nearby peaks and a cycling loop that descends into the village. Historical and landscape references are tied to specific buildings, riverbanks, paths and high points.

History connected with the mountain paths

Historically, Coteneşti belonged to the “plai” villages, which were obliged to guard the routes to Transylvania. The former guarding obligation thus directly concerned the routes to Transylvania. The mountain paths are therefore part of the village’s historical function. For those interested in culture, Coteneşti’s historical focus lies in this connection between local history and the mountain paths.

The “Sf. Voievozi” Church

The “Sf. Voievozi” Church stands in the village and dates from 1781. It is a historic monument of national interest in the municipality of Stoenești. It was built by Ion, the Vătaf of Plaiul Dâmboviţa, who came from Coteneşti. The church is therefore associated with the village of Coteneşti, while its monument status concerns the municipality of Stoenești. The year 1781 clearly distinguishes this building chronologically from the schitul, which was built in 2002.

The schitul on the Dâmbovița River

The “Sfântul Ierarh Modest” schitul in Coteneşti was built in 2002. It is located on the right bank of the Dâmbovița River at an elevation of more than 900 metres. From the village of Cotenesti-Stoenesti on the DN 72A, a 3-kilometre forest road leads west to this destination. Those planning this connection can count the three kilometres as a separate section of the route from the village on the DN 72A westwards. The church and the schitul are therefore located at different points of reference: the church in the village, and the schitul on the right bank of the Dâmbovița at more than 900 metres. The route westwards is part of the access from the village to the schitul.

Peaks in the surrounding area

The peaks Piscul Pleasa Popii and Putisorului are located near Coteneşti. Coltii Blajeni and Piscul Fruntii are also in the surrounding area. The references to the peaks thus remain limited to the area around Coteneşti. Piscul Pleasa Popii and Putisorului are part of the immediate surroundings, while Coltii Blajeni and Piscul Fruntii are assigned to the wider surrounding area.

The cycling loop via Plaiul Gărgăunele

The Bădeni–Vf. Leaota–Bădeni cycling loop descends into the village of Coteneşti via Plaiul Gărgăunele. On this cycling loop, Vârful Leaota reaches the highest point at 2,133 metres. Bădeni appears at both the beginning and the end of the loop’s name; Coteneşti lies along the descent section. Unlike the three-kilometre forest road to the schitul, the cycling route follows its own connection via Plaiul Gărgăunele. The descent to Coteneşti places the village passage in a different context from Vârful Leaota at 2,133 metres.

Other places for travel planning

If you would like to extend your travel plans beyond Coteneşti, you will find other places here: Lunca Corbului, Podu Dâmboviței, Rucar, Linteşti, Mioveni, Valea Hotarului, Curtea De Argeş and Leordeni.

To the higher-level travel overview: Argeş.