Map of Retezat mountains: Pietrele lodge - Bucura lake

The track starts at Pietrele and ascends into the woods. In five minutes time we meet another road sign. Turns left:
Another long ascent, then a clearing, with a spring nearby. We keep climbing in the direction of the juniper firs. We cross Pietrele creek and now have to fight a more demanding ascent.
We go by large rocks and arrive at a large rock called Bordu Tomi.
We cross Pietrele creek again, and keep climbing until we reach lake Pietrele. We cross between two rocks in Bucura saddle and soon arrive at the ridge. The panel says: Curmătura Bucurei (2206m), there's a view on Bucura and the surounding lakes.
In the Bucura saddle we also meet the ridge route sign
Our track descends to lake Bucura. We find new route signs at Bucuretu (2070m.):
Next crossing at the threshold between lake Bucura and the other lakes:
We follow the red cross route sign, which goes right and arrives at lake Bucura

Pietrele, Photo: Alexandru Moțoc

On the way to Gentiana rest-house, Photo: Cătălin Lucan

On the way to Gentiana rest-house, Photo: Fănică Bota

On the way to Gentiana rest-house, Photo: Radu Dârlea

On the way to Gentiana rest-house, Photo: Radu Dârlea

Gențiana hostel, Photo: Cătălin Lucan

Gențiana hostel, Photo: Radu Dârlea

On the way to Bordul Tomi, Photo: Cătălin Lucan

Through the junipers, Photo: Marian Ghibu

Through the junipers, Photo: Nicolae Petrescu

We cross the stream, Photo: Marian Ghibu

The Bucura 2 peak in the background,, Photo: Mihai Bursesc

Rhododendron, Photo: Marian Ghibu

On the way to lake Bucura, Photo: Mihai Bursesc

Bordu Tomii, Photo: Fănică Bota

On the way to lake Bucura, Photo: Sorin Nicolas

Pietrele lake, Photo: Cătălin Lucan

Bucura peake, Photo: Sorin Nicolas

One can also acces Bucura saddle from the main ridge, Photo: Gianina Stepan

Bucurei valley, Photo: Cătălin Lucan

To the Bucura saddle, Photo: Cătălin Lucan

To te Bucura lake, Photo: Sorin Nicolas

Bucura lake, Photo: Cătălin Lucan

Descent to lake Bucura, Photo: Radu Vadan

Bucura lake, Photo: Radu Dârlea

Road fork on Bucuretu peak, Photo: Marian Ghibu

Bucura lake, photo: Marian Ghibu, Photo: Marian Ghibu

Bucura lake, Photo: Radu Dârlea

Tents at lake Bucura, Photo: Radu Dârlea

Bucura lake, Photo: Mihai Bursesc

Bucura lake, Photo: Marian Ghibu

Horses, Photo: Marian Ghibu

Tents near Bucura, Photo: Radu Dârlea

Bucura lake, Photo: Mihai Bursesc

Rhododendron, Photo: Marian Ghibu

Bucura lake, Photo: Fănică Bota

GPS: 45.36520N, 22.87245E