Sometimes you don't really have to reach a specific location in order to feel like your efforts were worth it because nature does have the power to give you a different feeling from anything else you'd visit which turns out as one of the best experiences you could have out there.
Around 3 years ago, our legs were so damn eager for a new adventure and unique places in the world, and that's how we ended up in Bucegi Mountains, exploring Zănoaga Gorges which brought us to Scropoasa Lake and the 7 Springs Waterfall which is the purest water in the world.
However, while we were at the lake, we knew that from there we could continue our mixed journey to some other gorges called Orzea.
Unfortunately, for I don't know what reasons the access to these was forbidden even though the trail starts right where the bridge over the lake is.
But as sometimes we can't accept a refuse given by nature, we decided to call ourselves being satisfied with just the 3 locations explored then, but making a promise that one day we will return in Bucegi Mountains to also see Cheile Orzei.
And yes. That moment came 3 years later. 😊
We actually had this trip in the summer of 2021 when we were taking our yearly road trip in Romania and we decided to begin everything from a place where we had some things "unresolved".
There are two options in order to reach the waterfall, lake and later on the gorges too because you can either come from Zănoaga Gorges that begin next to Zănoaga Camping, or, follow a forest road that takes you at the end of the gorges but next to the lake and waterfall.
It's literally up to you which way you prefer to follow but from my point of view, every single location from all these four mentioned is worth the effort which can be more or less challenging depending on the route you decide on.
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Anyway, just like I said, since we were coming for the 2nd time on this part of the Bucegi Mountains, we decided to follow the forest road to get a different side of view from what we already saw 3 years ago, but also with the chance of possibly saving 1-2 hours we would normally spend if we were coming from the direction of Zănoaga Gorges.
Happy or not, nature proved one more time that it had other plans for us because we weren't able to drive the car as close as we wished to the lake due to the path that is not so recommended for cars other than SUVs or 4x4 ones, so we decided to drive only a little part of it and then let the car somewhere on the edge of the road while following the rest of it by foot.
We kept walking and walking figuring out that this might turn out a little bit longer than expected but considering that we were already having 1-2 hours saved from following a different path than the one we already knew, we decided to keep going until we get to the place where we could say that our journey begins.
We crossed 7 Springs Waterfall first which we found still as beautiful as we knew it was the last time when we've seen each other and then on around 15 mins later we finally got on the bridge of Scropoasa Lake which represented the starting point for what we've come for.
This time, there was no road sign saying that the access to Orzea Gorges is forbidden so we decided to wait no more and follow the blue cross marker 
Orzea Gorges takes place downstream of Scropoasa Lake so at least on the part with the lake and dam don't be surprised when you will get to follow a (maximum) 6 meters wide path because the gorges are well known as being amongst the narrowest corridors created by nature from both Romania and Europe.
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There was just a little part so close to the lake while most of the rest of the trail was based on going up and down on forest trails, always paying attention to the blue cross mark so we avoid getting lost or following a different path because Bucegi Mountains are well known for lots of hiking trails but where each has its own sign to follow.
Being so focused on the trail, I sort of forgot about taking pictures with the forest, but we did spend around two more hours hiking the forest until we reached Ialomita River that was literally coming from the dam of Scropoasa Lake.
Anyway, the important part here is that, as soon as you cross the water, you will get into the forest again, but where this time you won't find any blue crosses to follow because the rest of the trail until you reach Orzea Gorges is not marked anymore.
But if you follow this route during the summer, it will be pretty easy to figure out which direction you should follow due to the fairly clear path that continues along the river.
There's not too much trail you will follow in the forest, because pretty soon you will have to cross the river again, and again, and again, and basically find yourself jumping from a boulder to a different one to walk further.
We actually have followed the suspended pipeline the whole way from here on so we won't get lost, but it also helped us to reach Orzea Gorges which basically starts in that place.
The length of the gorges is somewhere around 1,5 km and it takes 3 hours to get through it but due to the season when you are visiting this, it might be more or less challenging because of the rocks that could become a little bit too slippery, as well as the water flow which is quite powerful sometimes.
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The thing that we were following an unmarked trail into a very wild part of nature counted a lot on our adventure mood which was only at the beginning thinking that for the next 10-14 days we were about to get one and the same with nature and always explore new similar paths. So we made sure to take the best from our little journey out there even if we weren't able to advance too much.
Even though it's just a 1,5 km long trail, you will notice that it takes quite a lot of time to move further even for just 100 meters. Hence why on a quick search on the internet we found out that normally it would take 3 hours to complete the whole journey.
When we visited this place, it was also pretty soon after a rainy period so the flow of the water was pretty powerful for both tourists and nature which decided to bring with it a lot more boulders that you would normally be able to see on the track. This was also an aspect that contributed on feeling so weak in front of nature and to walk as much as we could but still not reach the most beautiful part of it where you would get to walk on suspended bridges that will take you behind the dam of Scropoasa Lake.
With these aspects, we also had no confidence to still find these bridges because considering that we already found a fallen one, I doubt the rest resisted because you can never compare a human's creation with the power of nature which can erase everything pretty fast.
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As we always like taking out the best from every journey, even if we knew that we won't get this trip to the finish line due to the things already mentioned as well as we didn't meet other tourists on the way which was pretty scary after such a long break from travelling together, we decided to spend as much time as we wanted in the nature, taking pictures, recording videos, and even simply listening to the water flow and the noise created by nature.
But if you enjoy walking between imposing limestone walls which from time to time will show you that a part of these is already resting on the ground, you should keep in mind that is really important to be well equipped such as wearing hiking boots but also have a bottle of water with you because the hike into the forest will come with lots of kcal burned and especially if you take this journey during the summer, we all know how important is to stay hydrated.
Anyway, do keep in mind that on the place where the blue cross marker disappears and you have to follow an unmarked trail, there was a big indicator saying that the access is forbidden, so you will take this journey at your own risk. Not even the pipeline we took as a landmark doesn't seem too safe either, but it's still a nice trail filled with lots of adrenaline and beautiful landscapes that we needed like a fresh breath of air back in that day. ❤️
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In order to reach Cheile Orzei you have to either get on Camping Zanoaga and follow the next trail Zănoaga Gorges - 7 Springs Waterfall - Scropoasa Lake - Orzea Gorges, or you can consider following the road between Târgoviște and Moroeni until you reach Dobrești where a forest road will begin and you can drive on it more or less depending on the car you have, until you reach 7 Springs Waterfall. From here, the things become the same as explained before because you will need to get on the bridge over Scropoasa Lake and then walk further on the way to Orzea Gorges.
Either way works great and you will get to reconnect with nature in a special way, getting to see unique places in the world, stunning landscapes, and imposing limestone walls which will remind you how powerful nature is. 😃
SEE YOU IN THE NEXT TRIP! 🗾
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