Fereastra Mare a Sâmbetei

Route Character

If you want to look from the Sambetei Valley to the south side of Fagaras, you are heading irresistibly towards the Big Window. The steep last slope and the downhill variants require safe conditions on this otherwise less difficult tour.

Starting Point & Village

Starting point: The ascent to the Cabana Valea Sambetei (Cabana Sambata 1401m) is sufficiently signposted from the end of the timber road up to the hut and follows the valley and terrain form as a path. Above a steep step once crossing the stream to the west side (walking time depending on starting point approx. 1 - 1.5h). The hut, which is simple but well equipped and managed, is a quick and easy to reach, ski touring base. Village: Sâmbăta de Sus

Ascent & Route

At the start from the hut into the valley, one sees a sparsely wooded slope straight ahead over the left side where we later leave the valley floor. First pass the mountain rescue hut (Salvamont emergency call: 072-582-6668), to the right of the stream always at a distance from the flanks of the mountains until you reach the foot of the light forest slope (signpost Fereastra Mare). To the right of the gully through the narrow forest belt and following in principle the summer path (also marker poles), but paying attention to blown-in areas, up the hill until a cross appears (La Cruce, 1750m).

Below this hill, the bowl leads us to the left to a signpost that may be snowed in. Here we turn south again, leaving La Cruce behind us and gently ascending into the high valley, always with sufficient distance to the flanks. Our goal gets closer and closer until we finally stand in the cauldron at the foot of the steep final climb. Depending on the conditions by splitboard in kickturn bends or bootpacking up the often very blown-in slope, the marking poles of the summer trail stand for orientation on the mostly blown off ridge that divides the slope a bit.

When you arrive at the pass, you will be attracted on the left and on the right by close summit destinations or if you are lucky and the wind doesn’t blow a whistle, an extended break and then a pleasurable descent.

Descent & Variants

Like ascent, ride the steep slope at the beginning one by one and here as already in the ascent, pay attention to the sometimes massive shifts of snow.

About halfway down the descent to La Cruce, you can also follow the bowls that lead to the left, if the conditions are safe. These later become steeper and lead to the huge slope that stretches down from the “little window”.

Photo Gallery

A selection of 5 photos from the tour:

Map and Avalanche Risk

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