Podu Dâmboviței – Gorges, Peaks and History

An easy mountain biking route in Piatra Craiului National Park leads from Dâmbovicioara via Podu Dâmboviţei and Sătic to Cabana Garofiţa Pietrei Craiului.

A cycling route starts in Podu Dâmboviţei.

Podu Dâmboviţei lies along the National Park route and is also the starting point of the additional cycling route.

You can find more local pages here: Corbeni, Dobrotu, Mioveni, Ștefănești, Oarja, Bălilești, Nucşoara and Schitu Golești.

Nature

On the way from Podu Dâmboviţei to Dâmbovicioara, the first rock faces at the entrance to the Cheile Dâmbovicioarei appear after about fifteen minutes on foot.

The Cheile Dâmbovicioarei consist of two sections: Cheia Mare and the shorter Cheia Mică a Dâmbovicioarei.

Along this route, the landscape is initially revealed through access to the rock faces and then through the named division of the gorge. The shorter Cheia Mică a Dâmbovicioarei remains distinct from Cheia Mare as a separate section.

Culture

Oratia Fortress (Oratea), a medieval fortress from the 14th century, is located on Dealul Sasului near Podu Dâmboviţei, about 1.5 km north of the village.

The historic Podul lui Brâncoveanu bridge in Podu Dâmboviţei dates from 1711.

The historic Sf. Împăraţi Church in Podu Dâmboviţei dates from 1940.

The historic sites therefore include both the medieval fortress on Dealul Sasului and two buildings directly in Podu Dâmboviţei. The fortress is located north of the village, while the bridge and the church are associated with the place name Podu Dâmboviţei.

Surroundings

Gruiul Ratei is a peak in the immediate surroundings of Podu Dâmboviţei.

Piscu Muierii is a peak in the immediate surroundings of Podu Dâmboviţei.

Plaiul Mare is a peak in the immediate surroundings of Podu Dâmboviţei.

Pleasa is a peak in the immediate surroundings of Podu Dâmboviţei.

Castelul Bran is a castle in the wider regional surroundings of Podu Dâmboviţei.

Mânăstire Predeal is a monastery in the wider regional surroundings of Podu Dâmboviţei.

Biserica Poiana Mărului is a church in the wider regional surroundings of Podu Dâmboviţei.

Biserica Paltin is a church in the wider regional surroundings of Podu Dâmboviţei.

The immediate surroundings therefore include four named peaks, while the castle, monastery and the two churches are assigned to the wider regional surroundings.

Routes

From Podu Dâmboviţei to Peștera Dâmbovicioara, turn onto the DJ730 immediately after the bridge over the Râul Dâmbovița.

Follow the DJ730 for 4 km and then the DC22 for another 1 km.

The sequence of roads is therefore divided into two sections: first 4 km on the DJ730 and then 1 km on the DC22. The turn-off is located immediately after the bridge over the Râul Dâmbovița.

The PA hiking trail connects Podu Dâmboviţei with the village of Fundăţica, following the Valea Cheii.

In addition to the road route to Peștera Dâmbovicioara, the PA hiking trail leads from Podu Dâmboviţei via the Valea Cheii to Fundăţica. The route information thus includes a cycling route, a sequence of roads and a hiking trail, each with its own route.

To the higher-level travel overview: Argeş.