Crucea Caraiman
Crucea Caraiman
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Crucea Caraiman and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
39 within 3 miles
Attractions
32 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
81 reviews
Excellent
63
Very good
13
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Jazzumbo
Romania2,224 contributions
Jul 2020
The monument stands on the edge of Bucegi Plateau, right above the abyss. Be carefull if you suffer from vertigo!
If you're lucky to reach the summit on a clear day, the panoramic views over Prahova Valley, located about 1400 meter under your feet, will take your breath.
The monument itself, dedicated to the soldiers that lost their lives during the World War I, is a 40 meters metallic cross, which was under some maintenance work during our visit.
If you're lucky to reach the summit on a clear day, the panoramic views over Prahova Valley, located about 1400 meter under your feet, will take your breath.
The monument itself, dedicated to the soldiers that lost their lives during the World War I, is a 40 meters metallic cross, which was under some maintenance work during our visit.
Written July 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catalin C
Bucharest, Romania114 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
This is a place not to miss when visiting Busteni. The view will simply take your breath away and you will remember it for a long time!
the walk from Babele takes about 1 - 1,5 hours and is easy to do. however, one portion requires rock climbing so you need adequate shoes. on your way there you will even find some snow in august! also, close to the cross you can see "Flori de colt" - a rare and protected flower.
this is a very popular destination for the week-end and gets quite crowded.
there are several ways to get to Babele, depending on your available time and fitness:
- by cable car from Busteni: this is the most popular way but it is very crowded! the line to go up can take more than 2 hours in the week-end. same goes for the way down. the cable car closes at 5 pm, but they will not leave anyone up there...
- by cable car from Pestera: this is on the oposite side of the mountain and is accessible by car. the road is 90% in very good condition, but is quite narrow and requires a lot of attention. the lines on this side are generally shorter.
- by climbing from Busteni: this is for the mountain lovers. the way up is quite difficult and one day is tight to do a round trip Busteni - Babele - Cruce and back.
- by walking from Cabana Piatra Arsa. you can drive to Cabana Piatra Arsa - good road by crowded. from Cabana Piatra Arsa there is an easy walk to Babele - aprox. 1 hour.
- by 4x4 jeeps: there are many tours that star in Busteni and take you close to the mountain top.
the walk from Babele takes about 1 - 1,5 hours and is easy to do. however, one portion requires rock climbing so you need adequate shoes. on your way there you will even find some snow in august! also, close to the cross you can see "Flori de colt" - a rare and protected flower.
this is a very popular destination for the week-end and gets quite crowded.
there are several ways to get to Babele, depending on your available time and fitness:
- by cable car from Busteni: this is the most popular way but it is very crowded! the line to go up can take more than 2 hours in the week-end. same goes for the way down. the cable car closes at 5 pm, but they will not leave anyone up there...
- by cable car from Pestera: this is on the oposite side of the mountain and is accessible by car. the road is 90% in very good condition, but is quite narrow and requires a lot of attention. the lines on this side are generally shorter.
- by climbing from Busteni: this is for the mountain lovers. the way up is quite difficult and one day is tight to do a round trip Busteni - Babele - Cruce and back.
- by walking from Cabana Piatra Arsa. you can drive to Cabana Piatra Arsa - good road by crowded. from Cabana Piatra Arsa there is an easy walk to Babele - aprox. 1 hour.
- by 4x4 jeeps: there are many tours that star in Busteni and take you close to the mountain top.
Written August 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Derezomov
Bucharest, Romania34 contributions
Jul 2019
Truly outstanding view and monument, unfortunately the monument itself was in restoration when we got there. The path towards it is relatively easy, with the exception of a small area with helping chains.
Written September 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annie
9 contributions
Oct 2020
If you trek with leisure and do not take expensive cable car, you will enjoy all good sights. Walk ! !
Written October 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna L
Bucharest, Romania20 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
If you decided to take the cable car to Babele, you can also take the trail to Crucea Caraiman. It's an easy trail, for about 1h max 1h 30mins and I would reccomend to wear hiking shoes or at least sport shoes during summer time. There are 2 areas where it gets a bit difficult to climb, but overall it's ok, even if you have young children within your group. The views are breathtaking and near the cross, you can find beautiful quiet places to meditate and breathe fresh air. During the summer, my advice would be to take with you water, sun protection cream (we got a little sun-burnt on the face) and a raincoat (you can find it in the city for aprox 10 RON) in case you get lucky to catch a quick rain shower.
Written July 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cyclingtour
Bucharest, Romania13 contributions
Nov 2016
In 2014, the construction has entered the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest cross in the world (39.30 meters) placed on a mountain peak, at over 2,291 meters altitude.
2.At the inauguration in 1928, the Cross was the highest steel structure located in a mountainous area. From engineering and symbolist point of view it was compared with the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Statue of Liberty or Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.
3.The construction was erected at the initiative of King Ferdinand I and Queen Maria of Romania during 1926-1928 in order to be seen from a distance as great as possible, so they chose the secondary peak of Caraiman (2,291 meters), because it had a greater visibility nearby the plateau.
4.Although the most common name in the official documents of the National Archives is the ‘Heroes’ Monument’, the colloquially Caraiman Cross has been preserved since 1933.
5.The design and implementation of the entire monument are 100% Romanian. The whole project was conducted by Romanian architects George Cristinel and Constantin Procopiu.
6.A determining compositional element of the Cross is the symmetry that governs the architectural solution, existing both vertically and horizontally. The cross is made of steel profiles and has an overall height of 39.3 meters and a horizontal arm opening of about 15 meters.
7.Initially, the cross was inserted directly into the rock, and the pedestal was carried out after the inauguration, in 1930. Also originally, the cross housed an electric generator, which operated 120 bulbs of 500 watts, distributed on the perimeter of the cross.
8.Funds required for the construction were accessed from various sources and donations from private companies and state institutions. Tools, wood, metal parts, components and the remaining materials were transported by train to the Busteni railway station. From there they moved a part of the materials with the help of ox-carts and the remaining ones with Busteni Paper Factory’s funicular. Up to Bucegi Plateau, they carried them with horses and donkeys on narrow paths to the top of Caraiman. A bank has even granted a low-interest credit to purchase multiple carts, necessary for transportation. Due to the very bumpy road, it took about two to three weeks for a carriage to get up there.
9.In 1939, the Cross was connected to the national power system. Currently the Caraiman Cross is illuminated by 300 bulbs of 500 watts each and can be seen from dozens of kilometers away, in Prahova Valley.
2.At the inauguration in 1928, the Cross was the highest steel structure located in a mountainous area. From engineering and symbolist point of view it was compared with the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Statue of Liberty or Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.
3.The construction was erected at the initiative of King Ferdinand I and Queen Maria of Romania during 1926-1928 in order to be seen from a distance as great as possible, so they chose the secondary peak of Caraiman (2,291 meters), because it had a greater visibility nearby the plateau.
4.Although the most common name in the official documents of the National Archives is the ‘Heroes’ Monument’, the colloquially Caraiman Cross has been preserved since 1933.
5.The design and implementation of the entire monument are 100% Romanian. The whole project was conducted by Romanian architects George Cristinel and Constantin Procopiu.
6.A determining compositional element of the Cross is the symmetry that governs the architectural solution, existing both vertically and horizontally. The cross is made of steel profiles and has an overall height of 39.3 meters and a horizontal arm opening of about 15 meters.
7.Initially, the cross was inserted directly into the rock, and the pedestal was carried out after the inauguration, in 1930. Also originally, the cross housed an electric generator, which operated 120 bulbs of 500 watts, distributed on the perimeter of the cross.
8.Funds required for the construction were accessed from various sources and donations from private companies and state institutions. Tools, wood, metal parts, components and the remaining materials were transported by train to the Busteni railway station. From there they moved a part of the materials with the help of ox-carts and the remaining ones with Busteni Paper Factory’s funicular. Up to Bucegi Plateau, they carried them with horses and donkeys on narrow paths to the top of Caraiman. A bank has even granted a low-interest credit to purchase multiple carts, necessary for transportation. Due to the very bumpy road, it took about two to three weeks for a carriage to get up there.
9.In 1939, the Cross was connected to the national power system. Currently the Caraiman Cross is illuminated by 300 bulbs of 500 watts each and can be seen from dozens of kilometers away, in Prahova Valley.
Written January 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gretukass
London, UK12 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
I've seen the mountains before but not such beauty! Prepare your walking shoes as you will have to walk and climb about 1 to 1,5 hours from the place where cable car takes you. But the views are worth every step. Must see place!
Written August 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Molamot
23 contributions
Oct 2019 • Solo
It takes between 45-60 minutes to walk here from the cable car station. The views are out of this world on a clear day though. The trail is marked with a RED X from the cable car station.
Written October 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anamaria D
195 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
I went to the cross with an 8-year-old. We took the cable car up the mountain then continued on foot. Officially, it takes 1-1,5 hours to get there. We needed about two because the child was always getting distracted (in a good way): by the snow, by the sheep, the interesting flowers... The trail is easy, there was just one place where you had to hold on to chains, though you do need to be at least a bit fit for the portions where you go up. It wasn't too cold either. It wad cold and windy just at the Sphinx and at the cross, the rest of the way it was OK you didn't need a jacket (do bring one for the windy parts).
Written August 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gianina_Cotia
Iasi County, Romania168 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Such an amazing place! There are two pathways to get there! One it s difficult and not for people who are afraid of heights but the other one it s soft and ok for getting there. The views from the cross are unbelievable! You really feel like you are closer to all gods! I recommend going there from Sfinx, way easier!
Written August 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it possible to cycle up to the cross...?
Written March 21, 2019
From Busteni its too steep. You will need to ask if it is possible to lift the bicycle with you on your cable car ride. Up there it is absolutely possible cycling
Written March 21, 2019
Showing results 1-2 of 2
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing