Bucegi Mountains



The Bucegi Mountains are located in central Romania, south of the city of Brașov. They are part of the Southern Carpathians group of the Carpathian Mountains. At 2,505 m (8,219 ft), Omu is its highest point.

To the east, the Bucegi Mountains have a very steep slope towards the popular tourist destinations in the Prahova Valley, such as Bușteni and Sinaia. At a higher elevation is the Bucegi Plateau, where wind and rain have turned the rocks into spectacular figures such as the Sphinx and Babele.

The Bucegi is believed to be the Dacian holy mountain Kogainon, on which the God Zalmoxis resided in a cave.

Ranges
The mountains are grouped in three ranges:


 * Bucegi Mountains (Omu Peak – 2505 meters)
 * Leaota Mountains (Leaota Peak – 2133 meters)
 * Piatra Craiului Mountains (Baciului Peak – 2238 meters)

The Rucăr-Bran Pass separates the Piatra Craiului and Leaota ranges; it was marked by border crossings between Wallachia and Transylvania, and was defended by the Bran Castle.