Vidra – Pietrile Sheepfold – Pietrile Saddle – Mogoșul Peak – Vidruței Spring – Vidruței Valley – Vidra Lake – Vidra
Vidra – Pietrile Sheepfold – Pietrile Saddle – Mogoșul Peak – Vidruței Spring – Vidruței Valley – Vidra Lake – Vidra
Route: relatively easy, difficult in winter
Trail markings: partially red cross, yellow stripe
Duration: 5–6 hours
Our route to Poarta Soarelui begins in the village of Vidra, located about 20 km from Voineasa. From ZAN Hotel we travel this distance by car, then continue on foot in the direction of Fratoșteanu Peak. The starting point is in front of Hotel Tranzit, from where we head south toward the high ridge where the rocky formations of Pietrile Peak and the saddle separating it from the massif of Puru Peak can be seen.
We follow the road along the shoreline of Vidra Lake until the intersection with the road toward Voineasa, but continue straight ahead and then turn west to bypass the Vidruța branch of the lake. We walk for about 2 km from the intersection, avoiding the forest roads that climb along Mogoșelu Stream and Mogoșu Stream, tributaries of Vidruței Valley. Shortly before reaching Pietrile Stream, we notice a wide trail climbing the southern slope, marked by a metal sign indicating the direction toward Pietrile Saddle (red cross marking, about 1.5 hours).
We begin the ascent through a spruce forest on a slope that is initially steep but gradually becomes gentler and easier to walk. We pass through a cleared section of forest while maintaining a southern direction, then re-enter the forest. After about one hour and a half, we reach the alpine meadow of Pietrile, close to the sheepfold bearing the same name. The trail continues gently through the rich vegetation around the sheepfold until reaching Pietrile Saddle.
From here a superb view opens to the north, toward the Lotru Mountains and Vidra Lake, while in the distance the heights of the Cindrel Mountains and the Sebeș Mountains can be seen.
From Pietrile Saddle we follow the ridge road Ștefanu – Măceșului Valley toward the east, taking the first switchback that bypasses the imposing Pietrile Peak (1,877 m), known for its limestone cliffs. To the south lies the deep Tocan Valley, while to the west remains the massive silhouette of Puru Peak and its north-facing glacial cirque.
The road gradually climbs to a small plateau offering a beautiful panorama of Vidra Lake to the north. We then bypass the rounded summit Boarneșu Peak (1,923 m), following the switchback that turns south near the headwaters of Pietrile Stream. After crossing onto the eastern slope, the basin of Turcinu Mic opens before us, dotted with numerous limestone formations. Below we can also see the natural portal known as “Poarta Soarelui”, formed by the collapse of an ancient cave. At the edge of the forest stands the Boarneșu Sheepfold, in a truly picturesque setting.
To the east, the basin is enclosed by Fratoșteanu Mare Peak (2,053 m), the last major summit of the Latoriței Mountains on the eastern side of the main ridge. The route continues south of Mogoșu Peak, known for its ruin-like rock formations, visible if we make a short detour toward the northern slope. After crossing a small saddle, the road passes along the northern side of the ridge above Părăginosul Mountain, close to the forest edge.
Near the northern ridge a tractor road branches off, which we follow as we leave the ridge road. We head first north and then east, descending toward Vidruței Spring — a clear, cold stream that bursts from beneath limestone rocks. From here we follow Vidruței Valley along a path, then along a visible tractor road starting from the area known as Cotul Vidruței, continuing until we reach Vidra Lake.