Făgăraș Mountains
The Făgăraș Mountains are the highest mountains of the Southern Carpathians, in Romania.
Geography
The mountain range is situated in the heart of Romania, at.The range is bordered in the north by the Făgăraș Depression, through which the Olt River flows, and in the west by the Olt Valley. Despite its name, Făgăraș, located to the north, is not the nearest town to the mountain range, which has no major settlements. Other important surrounding cities are Brașov and Sibiu.
Glacier lakes include Bâlea, the largest. The highest lake is in the Hărtopul Leaotei glacial valley. The deepest glacial lake is Podragu. Other lakes are Urlea and Capra.
The highest peaks are:
- Moldoveanu —
- Negoiu —
- Viștea Mare —
- Lespezi —
- ' —
- Vânătoarea lui Buteanu —
- ' —
- ' —
- ' — 2,495 m
- ' — 2,495 m
- ' — 2,494 m
- ' — 2,489 m
- ' — 2,485 m
- ' — 2,482 m
- ' — 2,473 m
Access and tourism
Image:Făgăraș Mountains, Romania - Panoramic view.jpg|700px|thumb|right|Panoramic view from SibiuThe most used access point to the mountains is the Transfăgărășan road. The Transfăgărășan runs across the Făgăraș range. It is generally open only between June and September, due to unfavorable weather conditions for the rest of the year.
The Făgăraș Mountains are a very popular hiking, trekking and skiing destination in Romania. Most people wanting to hike on the Moldoveanu leave from the town of Victoria, or, in other areas of the Făgăraș Mountains, from Arpașu de Jos, Porumbacu de Jos, and Avrig. In the vicinity of the Negoiu peak, and in the central part of the band take the rocky nature of the mountains, and reaching the main ridge trail there are technical difficulties and exposure. Somewhat difficult part of the trail is a "Three steps from the death" running the main ridge by ridge Custura Arpașului the lake Capra. Also a bit challenging is one of the ways to Negoiu – Strunga Dracului. The most difficult section of the ridge Custura Sărății is between and Șaua Cleopatrei pass. At the root of the fire is under Șerbota several meters of steel cable handrail, on the other part there are no artificial enhancements.