The Bucegi Plateau

The Bucegi Plateau is a high upland in the Bucegi Mountains, lying at about 1,600-2,400 m and sloping generally from north to south, inside Bucegi Natural Park. Administratively it extends over three counties: Prahova, Dâmbovița and Brașov. The massif consists of two horseshoe-shaped ridges that start from Vârful Omu and enclose the upper Ialomița basin. The plateau is widest on the eastern ridge, south of Vârful Omu, where it takes in the small plateaus of the Coștila, Caraiman, Jepii Mari, Jepii Mici, Piatra Arsă and Vânturiș mountains, above the Prahova escarpment. East of the Izvorul Dorului valley it continues with the rounded summits of Baba Mare, Cocora and Lăptici. On the western ridge the plateau relief is narrower. The plateau is known for its isolated rocks, such as Babele and the Sphinx, residual landforms shaped by wind, freeze-thaw cycles and surface runoff. The park's management plan describes the Bucegi Plateau and the Prahova escarpment as a year-round tourist area, busiest in winter. The plateau is reached by the Bușteni-Babele cable car, the Peștera-Babele cable car and, at its southern edge, the Sinaia lifts to Cota 2000, as well as by the Transbucegi road and marked trails. Visiting Bucegi Natural Park requires a ticket issued by the park administration.