Dâmbovicioara: Gorges, Caves and Mountain Trails

The Podu Dâmbovicioarei–Dâmbovicioara–Brusturet mountain route initially comprises a 5 km paved stretch leading from Podu Dâmboviţei to Dâmbovicioara. The route then continues along a 6 km forest road to Brusturet. A 3 km section of this mountain route runs through the Cheile Dâmbovicioarei. There, vertical rock walls rise up to 200 m, and the section leads to above the Peștera Dâmbovicioara.

The route therefore leads from the paved stretch via the forest road into the gorge area. The section through the Cheile Dâmbovicioarei is designated as a separate part of the route and ends above the cave. Thus, this mountain route brings together different trail sections, the gorge and the high rock walls in a continuous landscape description.

Mountain Trails and Gorges

On the Podu Dâmboviței–Dâmbovicioara–Brusturet route, you can continue from this point after a short break along marked mountain trails 2 and 3. The Brusturet–Valea Seacă a Pietrelor–Grindu or Vlădușca trail is marked with a blue cross. It is approximately 6 km long. It takes 2–3 hours and has an elevation difference of 423 m. The trail through the Cheile Brusturetului begins at the Peștera Dâmbovicioara. This trail is easily accessible. Both walking time and elevation difference can also be incorporated directly into your day planning.

The blue marking connects Brusturet with Valea Seacă a Pietrelor and continues towards Grindu or Vlădușca. The short break and marked trails 2 and 3 are part of the described transition on the route. The starting point of the trail through the Cheile Brusturetului is at the same cave that is also described on the road through the Cheile Dâmbovicioarei.

The Peștera Dâmbovicioara

The Peștera Dâmbovicioara is located approximately 1 km north of Dâmbovicioara. It lies directly on the road through the Cheile Dâmbovicioarei and is easily accessible to tourists. Its location on the road makes the cave a fixed point on the described gorge section.

Because of its location on the road, the cave is directly connected with the route through the Cheile Dâmbovicioarei. At the same time, it marks the beginning of the trail through the Cheile Brusturetului.

Water and Rock

Izvoarele din Plai consists of several watercourses. These watercourses emerge from a rock in cascades. Peștera Dracilor, also known as Gaura Brusturetului, lies at the foot of high cliffs, near the confluence of the Brusturet and the Valea Muierii. La Gâlgoaie is a powerful gush of water. It emerges at the foot of a 200 m-high limestone wall. A habitat is present in the Cheile Dâmbovicioarei in Piatra Craiului. This habitat lies at an altitude of 750–1,000 m.

Watercourses, cascades, cliff bases and limestone walls shape the named landscape features in different ways. At Izvoarele din Plai, the water emerges from the rock, while the gush of water at La Gâlgoaie lies at the foot of the high limestone wall. Peștera Dracilor, in turn, is located near a confluence.

You can discover more places here: Bălilești, Arefu, Sălătrucu, Bradu, Linteşti, Rucar, Dobrotu and Oeștii Pământeni.

Culture in the Gorge

Sequences for the Romanian television series “Toate pânzele sus!” were filmed in the Cheile Dâmbovicioarei.

To the higher-level travel overview: Argeş.