Vârful Postăvarul

Postăvarul — the Schuler of the Saxons — is the mountain above Poiana Brașov, and its summit, at 1,799 m, is the highest point you can reach easily from the city. In winter it is the top of the ski domain; the rest of the year it is Brașov's walking mountain, with meadows, beech and spruce forest and views over the Bârsa plain to the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului.

On foot. The classic route from Poiana follows the red-cross waymarks to the Postăvaru hut (Julius Römer, about 1,600 m) in 1.5–2 hours, with around 600 metres of ascent; from the hut to the summit the path is unmarked. Allow 2.5–3 hours from the resort to the top, at a moderate level of difficulty, and go only in settled weather.

Without the climb. The Postăvarul Expres gondola and the Kanzel and Capra Neagră cable cars reach 1,700–1,775 m in winter; check which lifts run in summer before relying on them.

It is a real mountain: carry water and a warm layer, keep to the paths, and save the Salvamont Brașov number, 0725 826 668. Bears live in these forests. See the Poiana Brașov guide.