A well deserved adventure in the open, after a long period spent in isolation!

Climber for a day in Neamț

Starting from 2017 ”the mountain doesn’t belong anymore only to the professional climbers, but also to the wide public” for those who are interested in spending their time in Neamț Land, in the middle of the fabulous nature – Ticu Lăcătușu

The Via Ferrata Astragalus Season in Neamț is now open and is waiting for all those who long to put themselves in the shoes of the passionate climbers and go up the mountain’s heights.

Photo Gallery:

Photo credit: The Romanian Mountain Club

The longest via ferrata route in Romania will lead you straight to the middle of a genuine outdoor museum, an unique place in the world. Here, in Bicaz Gorges Hășmaș Mountains, Bicaz Chei commune, you can find a rich diversity of plants, animals and rare natural habitats. Therefore, the Șugău Gorges – Munticelu Nature Reserve with a total surface of 827.35 acres, has been declared site of importance for the European community in 2007, becoming part of NATURA 2000 European Environmental Network.
The tourists have at their disposal 5 different via ferrata routes to choose from, with a total length of 2400 m. The main route has 700 m (450 m for climbing and 250 m for descending) and a level difference of 285 m.

May – August 2020 Season

Tourists arriving in this area, who wish to try the via ferrata route, have to comply with some additional rules that the currently worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 implies, which are different from the years before:
1)The max. amount of people on a route: 3 persons
2)The min. distance between the groups: 15 m
3)The use of (rubber) gloves is compulsory
4)The technical equipment is set up individualy. The VIA FERRATA ASTRAGALUS staff ensures only a visual check up, including for those who have rented the equipment.
5)The visitors’ access at the Ecolog lodge is presently forbidden
6) A prior appointment at least a day before has to be made
7) Do not throw garbage in the premises of the protected area
8) Do not stop around in larger groups than 3 people when you are nearby the Ecolog lodge
9) Comply with the safety rules of the via ferrata route and also with the rules issued by the public authorities
10) Keep the entry tickets safe, do not dispose of them in the premises of the reservation.

The route’s name in Neamț comes from the endemic species Astragalus pseudopurpureus – grasshopper in Bicaz – a rare plant quoted for the first time in 1933 by the botanist Mihai Gușuleac. The plant grows here in a quantum of 95%, which also makes from this initiative a challenging project of Ecological Tuition and Biodiversity Preservation.

Via ferrata ”Astragalus” in Șugău Gorges – Munticelu Nature Reserve, the longest of its kind in Romania, is a project initiated by the Romanian Mountain Club, mainly supported by HeidelbergCement, designed at the initiative of the famous climber Constantin Lăcătușu, the first Romanian to reach the Everest’s peak. The route itself was organized between 2015-2016 with the help and support of two locals from Neamț County, Radu Apetroaia (from Piatra Neamț) and Claudiu Lungu (from Bicaz Chei).

Photo Gallery:

Photo credit: The Romanian Mountain Club

Booking and contact details:
Ecolog lodge: telephones 0747.478.988, 0737.759.998;
e-mail: [email protected]