Map of Retezat mountains: Porţile Închise (Vârful Mare saddle - Peleaga saddle)

From the Vârfului Mare saddle the route was considered dangerous and was closed for a long time, but it was opened thanks to the effort of the Retezat National Park team.
They installed cables and handrails on dangerous places, and painted markings on the best road in this land of rocks and slates. For our safety not to leave the mark, and not to admire the fantastic scenery on the go. Let's stop for this! The route starts from the Peak saddle and leads us on the southern side of the ridge. It has a length of approx. 400 m. On the left, below us a lake with an island, Tăul Țapului, of a rare beauty, which can be reached following the marking:
On the right side you can see Lake Galeșu and more and more Rea valley. After an hour and 30 minutes from the Vf. Mare saddle, we reach the latte of the Porțile Închise (2280 m). From the Țapu plateau we head towards the gorgeous despiculata Spălăturii Păpușii (2320 m), and we also cross the Capul Văii Rele (2408 m). On the left, in a hideous area, we can admire the Adânc lake or the Păpușii lake, whereupon we climb on the Păpușa slabs to the Pőpuéa peak. Here we meet with
Guided by the yellow cross we go down to Pelegii saddle where we meet:

Way over the Porțile Închise, Photo: Emilia Bota

Way over the Porțile Închise, Photo: Emilia Bota

Way over the Porțile Închise, Photo: Emilia Bota

Way over the Porțile Închise, Photo: Emilia Bota

Way over the Porțile Închise, Photo: Emilia Bota

Way over the Porțile Închise, Photo: Fănică Bota

Porțile închise, Photo: Herman László

Galeșu lake among the stons Porțile Închise, Photo: Andreea Varjoghe

Way over the Porțile Închise, Photo: Fănică Bota

Porțile închise, Photo: Harry Hirth

Porțile închise, Photo: Herman László

Porțile închise, Photo: Andreea Varjoghe

Porțile închise, Photo: Herman László

Tăul Țapului, Photo: Mihai Bursesc

Tăul Țapului, Photo: Mihai Bursesc

Tăul Țapului, Photo: Mihai Bursesc

Tăul Țapului, Photo: Mihai Bursesc

Spălătura Păpușii, Photo: Harry Hirth

Păpușa lake fom the Păpușa peak, Photo: Andreea Varjoghe

Way over the Porțile Închise, Photo: Fănică Bota

Lakes in Rea valley, Photo: Fănică Bota

Adânc lake, Photo: Emilia Bota

Adânc lake, Photo: Emilia Bota

Păpușa peak, Photo: Andreea Varjoghe

Păpușa peak, Photo: Andreea Varjoghe

Păpușa peak, Photo: Andreea Varjoghe

Păpușa peak, Photo: Andreea Varjoghe

Peleaga saddle, Photo: Dan Harabagiu

Peleaga lake, Photo: Andreea Varjoghe

Peleaga saddle, Photo: Ambrus Tibor

Peleaga saddle, Photo: Ambrus Tibor

Peleaga saddle, Photo: Ambrus Tibor

Peleaga saddle, Photo: Ambrus Tibor

Peleaga saddle, Photo: Ambrus Tibor

GPS: 45.37396N, 22.91291E