Cabana Podragu

Cabana Podragu is located in the Munții Făgăraș, Brașov County, at an altitude of 2,136 m, on the northern slope of the massif, in Căldarea Podragu on Valea Arpașului, bounded to the east by Muchia Tărâța and to the west by Muchia Piscul Podragului. It is the highest-situated chalet in the Munții Făgăraș and one of the most important support points for hikers and mountaineers travelling along the main ridge of the massif. The history of shelters in the area dates back to 1885, when the Transylvanian Carpathian Society from Sibiu erected a stone shelter near Lacul Podragu; this structure collapsed shortly afterwards. The current chalet was built between 1948 and 1949 by the National Bank for its employees and opened for use in 1950. The chalet has approximately 70 accommodation places; it is closed during winter, though an annex remains open and can be used as a refuge. In the immediate vicinity lies Lacul Podragu, a glacial lake formed in a glacial cirque at approximately 2,140 m altitude, with a surface area of around 3.1 hectares and a maximum depth of 16.4 m, making it one of the largest glacial lakes in the Munții Făgăraș. The area serves as a starting point for ascents to the surrounding peaks and for traversing the Făgăraș ridge, which connects, via marked trails, numerous peaks exceeding 2,500 m, including Moldoveanu, the highest peak in Romania. The main access route runs from the north, from the town of Victoria, along Valea Arpașului or via Muchia Tărâța, following a forestry road and then a marked path; the route is accessible in summer and difficult in winter.