Poiana Brașov in Summer: Hiking Postăvarul, the Bike Park and Horses

Why go up in summer

On a hot July afternoon in Brașov, when the old town's cobbles radiate heat and the average high is 27 °C, Poiana Brașov is the escape. The resort sits at about 1,020 m, twelve kilometres and twenty minutes above the city, and the air is noticeably fresher. The ski slopes turn into meadows, the forest paths open up, and the lifts carry mountain bikers instead of skiers. It is a quieter, more local Poiana than the winter one — and for a morning on the mountain followed by an evening in the city, it is hard to beat.

For the resort in general, see our Poiana Brașov hub and the area guide. For the climate, the July weather page has the averages.

Hiking Postăvarul

The classic walk is the climb from the resort to Postăvarul summit, at 1,799 m the highest point of the massif, with a view over the whole Bârsa plain, Brașov and, on clear days, the Piatra Craiului and Bucegi ranges.

The route. The usual path, known like the ski run as *Drumul Roșu*, starts from the road in front of the Poiana police station and climbs through the forest past the Pietriș spring, the Cristianul Mare meadow and the Cristianul Mare hut to Cabana Postăvaru (the Julius Römer hut) at around 1,600 m. It is waymarked with a red cross as far as the hut. From the hut to the summit the path is not waymarked; it is obvious in good weather, but take a map or a phone track.

Time and effort. Allow roughly 1.5–2 hours from the resort to Cabana Postăvaru, with about 600 m of ascent, and 2.5–3 hours to the summit for the whole route of around 6 km — a medium-difficulty day for anyone reasonably fit. Come down the same way, or on one of the lifts if they are running.

The easy way up. In summer the Postăvarul Expres gondola and the cable cars normally carry walkers to around 1,700–1,775 m, from where the summit is a short walk. Summer timetables and prices change from year to year, and next summer's had not been published when we checked (September 2026); ask at the base stations or on the operators' sites before you plan around them.

Mountain sense. Start early, because summer thunderstorms build in the afternoon. Carry water, a warm layer and rain gear even on a sunny morning. Mountain rescue on Postăvarul is the job of Salvamont Brașov: 0725 826 668, or 112.

Bears: what to know

Brown bears live in the forests around Brașov and are occasionally seen on the edges of Poiana. Encounters are rare, and they are usually avoidable:

• Walk in company and talk; do not surprise an animal on a bend.
• Never leave food or rubbish behind, and never feed a bear — it is illegal and it is dangerous for the next walker.
• If you see a bear, keep your distance, do not run, and back away calmly.
• Keep dogs on a lead.

Bike Park Postăvarul

Poiana's lifts have given it a proper downhill mountain-bike park, with six trails on the flanks of Postăvarul (as described in July 2026):

• Blue Line — blue, 5.77 km, 578 m of descent: the flowing, long introduction.
• Red Line — red, 1.1 km, 187 m.
• Westreme — red, 2.9 km, 542 m.
• Cl Over + Deaktator + Manland — red, 2.72 km, 467 m.
• Respawn — black, 2.52 km, 489 m.
• Crucur NH DH + Monkey Business — black, 2.78 km, 649 m: the steepest line in the park.

From summer 2026, bikes also go up on the gondola, which makes laps much quicker. Bike passes were priced for the 2025 season at 50 lei for a single ascent, 180 lei for a day, 160 lei for 4 hours, 100 lei from 14:00 and 1,300 lei for ten days, with lower reduced rates, a free pass for every ten bought and 50% off on Fridays for Brașov residents (2025 prices, checked September 2026). Different figures circulated for 2026; confirm the current list with the operator before you go. Full-face helmets and body armour are strongly advised on the red and black lines.

Riding and gentler days

• Horse riding. The equestrian centre on the northern edge of Poiana offers rides and, in winter, horse-drawn sleighs, by reservation. A lovely thing to do with children.
• The leisure centre. The Poiana leisure centre has a climbing wall, bowling, mini golf and billiards for a rainy afternoon.
• Tree-top adventure. The best-known rope park in the area, Parc Aventura, is *not* in Poiana but at the foot of the mountain in Brașov's Răcădău district. Two hours cost 125 lei for adults and 115 lei for children aged 4–11 in 2026 (checked September 2026).

Lunch and dinner

Poiana's summer terraces are its best-kept secret. Șura Dacilor serves Romanian classics from noon until midnight, and the new Swissôtel is the resort's most polished address for a long lunch or a night in the mountains. After the Postăvarul hike, the hut at 1,600 m is the traditional stop for soup.

Getting up there

Bus 20 runs all year from Livada Poștei, every 20 minutes through the day, and in summer 2026 a double-decker tourist bus also ran the route hourly between 09:00 and 18:00. City buses are free on Fridays and cost 5 lei for 90 minutes on other days (checked September 2026). Note that Drumul Poienii closes for the Grand Prize of Brașov hill climb at the end of May (30–31 May in 2026), when bus 20 is suspended. Everything else is in getting to Poiana Brașov.

Summer, then winter

If you fall for the place, come back when it is white: the Poiana Brașov ski guide has the pistes, lifts and passes, and the events calendar lists what is on in the city through the year.