Lazaret in the Olt Valley: Hiking Routes and History

Lazaret on DN7 in the Olt Valley

Lazaret is located on DN7 in the Olt Valley. If you are looking for hotels in Lazaret, its location on DN7 offers a specific starting point for finding the destination. The connection between Boița and Lazaret follows DN7 and E81 along the same transport corridor. At the same time, the Lotrioara stream flows into the Olt at Lazaret. The road location and confluence are two clear reference points for locating the town.

Quarantine History and Railway

A lazaretto was established at the confluence of the Lotrioara and the Olt during the plague epidemic of 1660–1661 for quarantine purposes. From the 18th century, the quarantine was moved to this confluence, nine kilometers south of Turnu-Roșu, to the place known as “Lazaret.” The confluence is therefore the geographical reference point both for the lazaretto during the epidemic and for the later relocation of the quarantine. The historic railway through the Olt Valley also passed through Lazaret, which was referred to as the “lazaretto of Turnu Roșu.” The historic railway adds another chapter to the Olt Valley’s transport history alongside its road location.

Hiking Routes and Planning Your Time

For two hikes starting from Lazaret, the distance, duration, and elevation figures are specified. The Lazaret–Valea Lotrioara–Pârâul Cailor–Iaru–Cabana Prejba route is 18 km long and listed as taking 5–6 hours; it climbs from 350 m to 1,645 m. The Lazaret–Lotrioara–Cantonul Silvic Gârcu–Valea Sterpului–Vf. Sterpului route covers 22 km and is listed as taking 6–7 hours; its elevation ranges from 350 m to 2,142 m. This makes the second route four kilometers longer, with a listed duration that is one hour greater and a high point 497 m above that of the first. When narrowing down your options based on the time available, the listed durations provide the most direct comparison; distance and elevation add information about the scope of each route. Conditions on the terrain can change on either route; check them before setting out.

Another hike is the Valea Oltului–Curmătura Surului route (07MN01A). It is rated difficult, is 17.20 km long, and is listed as taking 9:00 hours. The route page was updated on April 16, 2026. The described approach crosses the Olt over a bridge before Lazaret, then crosses a CFR bridge before entering the forest. The trail is inaccessible in winter. At 9:00 hours, its listed duration is longer than the 5–6 and 6–7 hours for the two routes starting from Lazaret.

Route 07MN01 runs from Valea Oltului via Vârful Şerbota, Saua Podragului, Fereastra Mare a Sâmbetei, and Curmătura Lerescului to Vârful Tămaşul Mare. Unlike the two hikes whose names begin with Lazaret, this route starts at Valea Oltului.

Discover more destinations: Vaideeni, Pietrișu, Costeşti, Marița, Obârşia Lotrului, Băile Olăneşti, Perişani, Ciungetu

For the overview of the wider area: Vâlcea.