Porumbacu de Jos: Hiking Routes, Churches and Crafts

Porumbacu de Jos combines hiking routes toward the Făgăraș Mountains with churches, historic buildings and a long craft tradition. Two specific routes start here: the marked trail to Șaua Cleopatrei and the route to Cabana Negoiu. If you are looking for a hotel in Porumbacu de Jos, you can plan your trip around whether hiking or the history of the village is your main interest.

Landscape and location

The commune of Porumbacu de Jos lies at the northern foothills of the Făgăraș Mountains and extends along both banks of the Olt. The SPA Piemontul Făgăraș partially includes the built-up area of the village of Porumbacu de Jos. The commune’s territory also includes areas within the “Golul alpin al Munților Făgăraș între Suru și Podragu” nature reserve. These areas include both parts of the built-up village and areas within the commune.

Hiking routes with different stages

The marked trail to Șaua Cleopatrei heads south from Porumbacu de Jos via Porumbacu de Sus. Up to that point, the route follows a paved county road. From Porumbacu de Sus, there are 16 kilometers along a forest road to the marble quarry. Only after that does the actual mountain trail begin. This sequence is important for planning: the route first follows sections of road and forest road before becoming a mountain trail.

Another route leads from Porumbacu de Jos to Cabana Negoiu. It takes 6 to 6½ hours and includes 20 kilometers on an unpaved road, followed by another 1½ hours on a hiking trail. On the right bank of the Râul Mare al Porumbacului, the route passes a marble quarry located 15 kilometers from Porumbacu de Jos. At an altitude of 1,410 meters, a path branches off to the right toward Cascada Șerbotei. The information on the two routes emphasizes different aspects: for the Șaua Cleopatrei route, the 16-kilometer forest road section is specified; for the Negoiu route, the focus is on the duration, road section and hiking trail.

Churches and historic buildings

The Orthodox Church of “Adormirea Maicii Domnului” is a historic monument and was built between 1850 and 1854. The Greek Catholic Church of “Sfântul Nicolae,” also a historic monument, dates from 1845 to 1851. Wooden house No. 309 in Porumbacu de Jos is listed as immovable cultural heritage and dates from 1899. The former “Fostul Oficiu Poştal Tranzit” post office is now used as a residence. In Sărata, four kilometers southeast of Porumbacu de Jos, stands the Church of “Nașterea Domnului,” built between 1800 and 1806.

The construction dates therefore range from the church in Sărata at the beginning of the 19th century to the wooden house of 1899. The two churches in Porumbacu de Jos can also be distinguished by their different construction periods. Together with the former post office, they offer several historical themes that make a separate focus for a trip from the mountain route.

Crafts, customs and getting there

Woodworking in Porumbacu de Jos has a tradition dating back to the 17th century. Rural household crafts involving sheepskin and leather processing are also associated with the village for the years 1640 to 1680. Another local custom takes place on Christmas Eve: the village’s young men form the “Ceata de feciori” and go from house to house singing. Historic craft traditions and a seasonal festive custom thus exist side by side.

The route in the Valea Porumbacului area is accessible via Porumbacu de Jos railway station on a Regio train running on the Sibiu–Brașov route. If you are traveling by train, check the timetable for your travel dates. Kayaking trips on the Porumbacu River are also offered in the Valea Porumbacului area. So, in addition to hiking, water activities are another option to consider when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Boiţa, Tălmaciu, Gunzendorf, Valea Viilor, Städterdorf, Pojana, Sadu, Şelimbăr

For the broader travel overview: Hermannstadt.