Medias NORD25

Medium-advanced difficulty route.

Elevation difference is +875m with Garmin.

For some, the route will be beautiful, while for others, it’s not suitable at all... The route is very dynamic, with a total of 27 climbs, in the second half 16 climbs and steep, short descents; those who like to keep the same pace won’t enjoy the route... but it’s worth trying at least once!

Route description

Mediaș - Romanești The classic MMM route is followed, I recommend the optimized variant: - Following the ridge parallel to Greweln street, in the area where MMM turns right towards the east (P1), we go straight ahead and after 150m turn left. We continue on the ridge for approximately 1km until we intersect at the saddle above Blăjelu the MMM trail coming from the right, climbing through Valea Legheș/Valea Lungă. - From here we travel on MMM until Romanești, with an old white dot marking. From Romanești, we continue on MMM80 until the saddle that separates Romanești from Curciu. Just before the peak of the incline in the little forest in the saddle, we turn right onto a grassy path through the woods (P2).

Area Romanești/Curciu - Valea Lungă, ridge route: - After about 1 km, we reach a saddle in the woods where we head east through a gully. - Exiting the forest, we descend through a pasture towards SE until we hit a path where we turn left towards NE. After 200m, through some bushes, we turn right. - From here we enter the main ridge towards Păucea/Valea Lungă. We keep the ridge line MATHEMATICALLY until above Valea Lungă, about 8km. - We start with a climb ;) be careful not to go right as it descends to Valea Hulei in Păucea nor left as we descend onto the road between Curciu and Dîrlos. - There are 12 climbs remaining to reach Valea Lungă! Short and steep! Followed by just as many steep descents! - There are 3 viewpoints, the first two towards Păucea and the last towards Valea Lungă / Mediaș. - Until the route is marked, we need a map/GPS track for orientation. In many peaks, we have to choose between two ridges that leave the peak; at some peaks, we keep right and at others left, it’s complicated to describe accurately and difficult to track. Considering that the ridge route is 90% through the forest, it will be quite easy to get lost without GPS tracking. Anyway, you will end up either in the Păucea-Valea Lungă area or in the Curciu-Dârlos area. - Before exiting the forest, above Valea Lungă, there is a thicket of thorns. I try to clear it, but if I can't, take the bike on your shoulders and walk 20m through the thorns on the ridge! The alternative of going around to the right drops down significantly and then you have to climb back up to the ridge, it’s not worth it. - From the viewpoint with Mediaș and Valea Lungă, to descend into Valea Lungă, we choose a leg that drops towards the cemetery (see photo in the album). After 250m of steep descent, above the cemetery we turn right and immediately left and after another 250m we exit onto asphalt where we turn left.

Valea Lungă – Mediaș As an alternative to the three kilometers of asphalt to Mediaș, the route offers a much more beautiful variant, with an exceptional viewpoint above Mediaș, but which adds 150m elevation difference making the route difficult for beginners. With the right breaks, however, it can be tackled by anyone. Upon exiting Valea Lungă towards Mediaș, we turn right on the road leading to the Holy Church. We pass right in front of the church and enter the forest where we immediately turn left onto a rising cart path. In the area where the road approaches the edge of the forest we keep right and continue the ascent. After almost 1km from the church, the ascent ends in a beautiful glade that we traverse down while maintaining the direction of travel (towards the west). We continue through the forest in a steep ascent for another 500m. At the exit of the forest, we turn left and follow the path along the forest edge until we reach the ridge. The path continues along the ridge through the grass. At the end of the ridge, we arrive at one of the most beautiful viewpoints over the city, I believe this is the point with the most comprehensive panorama of Mediaș. We follow the ridge down a very steep descent on grass (watch out!!!) and arrive at the end of Livezii street. We turn right on Livezii street and at the end left on Emil Racoviță street and descend to the stadium. Great care with speed on asphalt, at the bottom the road narrows, high risk of accidents! If you like, give me a beep ;)

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