Cross

Loop 3 · 14.3 km

The course sets off up Valea Popii, as in previous editions, and after 950 m of asphalt turns left up a village lane towards Vârful Bisericuța, a climb of 320 m of elevation gain. The climb is steeper at first and eases after the first 500 m. The course follows the rolling trail, first parallel to Valea Popii and then along the crest of Dealul Bisericuței up to the cross, where a steep descent to the left begins, down into Valea Bângăleasa.

Following Valea Bângăleasa on a gentle climb, 700 m of forest road, the course reaches the last big climb of the race, up to Poiana Guțanu. After the aid station with energy drinks, food and water, the course crosses the Bângăleasa river and climbs about 360 m through the forest to the highest point of the course, 1460 m at km 8.5. The course reaches Poiana Guțanu, where the checkpoint is, and from there runs along Muchia Pleșii for the last 6 km of the course.

The course goes on along the red-stripe tourist trail that comes down from the Bucegi mountains and, at the fork with the trail to Șimon, keeps left along the ridge towards Moieciu de Sus. It follows the ridge until it is above the centre of the village, where the view opens wide, then drops steeply into Moieciu de Sus. It crosses the Bângăleasa river once more and continues about 300 m on asphalt to the finish.

From 2010 to 2025 the Cross ran on Loop 1 (La Mândru · Fundata); since 2026 it runs on Loop 3.