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Zărnești Gorge (Prăpăstiile Zărneștilor) is a limestone gorge at the edge of Piatra Craiului National Park, about 4 km from the centre of Zărnești and 25 km from Brașov. A gravel forest road marked with a blue band runs through it; the walk through the gorge is easy, and the same trail continues up to Cabana Curmătura (2–3 hours from town, medium). You pay a park fee of 10 lei per person for 7 days, and you can get to Zărnești on bus 140 (8 lei, about 55 minutes) or by regional train.
Is it worth it?
Yes, if you want a few hours on foot in proper mountain scenery without a hard climb. The gorge walls rise more than 200 m in places, according to the Zărnești tourist information centre, and the forest road between them keeps the first part of the walk easy. The same walk is the start of longer routes into Piatra Craiului, so experienced hikers can turn it into a full day.
It suits:
- walkers who want an easy trail with big views of rock walls;
- hikers who want a longer day with a climb to Cabana Curmătura;
- anyone visiting the Libearty bear sanctuary, which is also in Zărnești.
Skip it in icy conditions unless you have the right footwear, and don’t count on a weekend bus trip: line 140 runs only three times a day each way on Saturdays and Sundays.
Getting to Zărnești from Brașov
| Option | From | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus 140 (RATBV) | Stad. Municipal stop, Bartolomeu area | about 55 min | 8 lei |
| Regional train | Brașov railway station | about 40–55 min | around 7 lei (local listings) |
| Car | DN73, then DN73A | 25 km | fuel and parking |
| Taxi or Bolt | anywhere in Brașov | see the Bolt app | see the Bolt app |
By bus
RATBV line 140 runs from the Stad. Municipal stop in Brașov’s Bartolomeu district via Cristian and Râșnov to Zărnești; the last stops are Catedrala and CEC Zărnești, in the town. The ride takes about 55 minutes. A Brașov–Zărnești ticket costs 8 lei and is valid for 90 minutes including Brașov’s city buses (RATBV fares). You can also pay with a contactless bank card at the validator on board. City bus 16 links Livada Poștei, at the edge of the Old Town, with Stad. Municipal; see our guide to public transport in Brașov.
- From Stad. Municipal, Monday to Friday: 04:30, 05:15, then hourly at :30 from 06:30 to 19:30, and 21:30
- Saturday and Sunday: 07:30, 13:30, 19:30 only
- Back from CEC Zărnești, Monday to Friday: 05:30, 06:15, then hourly at :30 from 07:30 to 20:30, and 22:30
- Saturday and Sunday: 08:30, 14:30, 20:30 only
(RATBV line 140 to Zărnești and to Brașov, timetable valid from 14 June 2025.)
At weekends, the 07:30 bus out and the 14:30 or 20:30 bus back are the only workable pair for a day in the gorge.
By train
Regional trains run between Brașov station and Zărnești, stopping at Bartolomeu and Râșnov on the way. Timetable aggregators listed about 14 trains a day from Brașov for October 2026, taking 40–55 minutes, with the first just before 06:00 and the last at 22:30. Check the official CFR timetable search before you go. The fare published locally is 7 lei. Fântâna lui Botorog, where the gorge walk starts, is about 5 km from Zărnești station.
By car
Take the DN73 from Brașov towards Râșnov, then the DN73A to Zărnești, 25 km in total (Visit Zărnești). From Zărnești you can drive on to the start of the gorge (see below).
By taxi or ride-hailing
A taxi or Bolt from Brașov is an option if you are three or four, especially at weekends when buses are rare. Bolt’s app shows the price before you book.
From Zărnești to the start of the gorge
The walk through the gorge starts at Fântâna lui Botorog, a spring about 4 km from the centre of Zărnești, which takes about 50 minutes on foot. The road is paved to the edge of town; the last 2 km are an unpaved stone road that ordinary cars can drive. There is an informal parking area at the spring (Zărnești tourist information centre blog).
Park fee and visitor centre
Piatra Craiului National Park charges a visiting fee for people over 14 (park tickets page):
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 person, 7 days, online | 10 lei |
| 2 people, 7 days, online | 20 lei |
| 1 person, 7 days, by SMS (code Pcrai1 to 7473) | 2 euros + VAT |
| Annual pass, online | 40 lei |
You can also pay at the blue ticket machines at the Zărnești post office, the park visitor centre, Cabana Plaiul Foii and the bridge at Valea lui Ivan. The park fee includes entry to the visitor centre in Zărnești, which on its own costs 5 lei. The visitor centre is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Thursday 10:00–16:00, Friday 10:00–14:00 and Saturday 11:00–15:00; the park’s page does not list Sunday hours (park visitor centre).
Walking the gorge: routes, markings and times
These are the marked routes through the gorge listed by the Zărnești tourist information centre (Visit Zărnești, hiking):
| Route | Marking | Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zărnești – Prăpăstiile Zărneștilor – Cabana Curmătura | blue band | 2–3 hours | medium |
| Zărnești – Prăpăstiile Zărneștilor – La Table | red cross | 3–4 hours | easy |
The easy walk. From Fântâna lui Botorog, follow the forest road and the blue band into the gorge, walk as far as you like between the walls and come back the same way.
The loop to Cabana Curmătura. A longer option is a loop described by the tourist information centre: up from Fântâna lui Botorog on the yellow-marked trail to Cabana Curmătura, then back down on the blue band through the gorge. They give it as 12 km with 660 m of ascent, 5–6 hours round trip from town. Curmătura is a mountain chalet built in 1936–1937 that serves meals.
Safety
- Bears. Piatra Craiului is brown-bear country. Walk in daylight, preferably in a group, talk or make some noise on the trail, keep food packed away, and never approach or feed a bear. If you see one, back away slowly and give it space.
- Emergencies. Call 112 and ask for Salvamont, the mountain rescue service.
- Weather. Mountain weather changes quickly. Check our what to wear today in Brașov tool and pack a layer. In winter, expect ice on the road and trails.
- Stay on the marked trails. It is a national park, and the routes above are the official ones.
Combine it with
- Libearty bear sanctuary. The sanctuary is in Zărnești, so a morning in the gorge and an afternoon tour work well together. Visits are by guided tour; see our Libearty sanctuary guide for tour times and booking.
- Râșnov. The train and the road back to Brașov pass through Râșnov, where you can visit the citadel garden and, in season, Dino Parc.
- Another canyon walk. Seven Ladders Canyon is on the other side of Brașov, near Timișu de Jos, and is a different kind of walk, with metal ladders up a waterfall.
For more ideas, see all our day trips from Brașov.
Tips
- Buy the park ticket before you start. Online or by SMS is easiest; machines are in town and at the visitor centre.
- Use the train at weekends. The rail timetable lists far more departures than bus 140 on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Bring water and food for the walk, even if you plan to eat at Cabana Curmătura.
FAQ
Do you have to pay to walk Zărnești Gorge?
Yes. The gorge is in Piatra Craiului National Park, which charges 10 lei per person for 7 days for visitors over 14, paid online, by SMS or at a ticket machine.
How long is the walk through Zărnești Gorge?
The blue-band trail from Zărnești through the gorge to Cabana Curmătura takes 2–3 hours one way. Walking only through the gorge and back from Fântâna lui Botorog is shorter and easier.
Can you drive to Zărnești Gorge?
You can drive to Fântâna lui Botorog, about 4 km from the centre of Zărnești. The last 2 km are unpaved but passable for ordinary cars, and there is an informal parking area.
How do you get from Brașov to Zărnești without a car?
Take RATBV bus 140 from the Stad. Municipal stop (about 55 minutes, 8 lei) or a regional train from Brașov station (40–55 minutes). At weekends the train is the better option.
Are there bears in Piatra Craiului?
Yes. Walk in daylight, make noise, keep food packed away and never approach a bear.
Can you combine Zărnești Gorge with the Libearty sanctuary?
Yes. Both are in Zărnești. Book the Libearty tour in advance and plan the gorge walk around it.
Sources
- Piatra Craiului National Park: tickets and visiting fee, visitor centre hours
- Visit Zărnești (tourist information centre): hiking routes, how to get to Zărnești, gorge loop description
- RATBV: line 140 to Zărnești, line 140 to Brașov, fares
- CFR: timetable search, Brașov–Zărnești
Fees, bus times and visitor centre hours were checked on 10 October 2026.
