Arpașu de Sus: Hiking Trails, Cetățuia and Nature Reserves

Arpașu de Sus connects several specific starting points for trails through the landscape of the Făgăraș Mountains. One hiking trail leads via Valea Arpășelului and Culmea Netedu to Muchia Buteanu. The access route from Arpașu de Jos via Arpașu de Sus to Cabana Arpaș and the Făgăraș hiking trails runs along 11 to 12 kilometers of unpaved road. The unpaved section is considered difficult for cars. Cetățuia Arpașu de Sus can be reached on foot via unmarked paths. Before setting out on hikes, the route length, surface and markings should be taken into account. Unmarked paths should also be checked against the current route conditions. For longer routes, the individual trail sections should also be included in the preparation so that the planned route is not assessed solely by its kilometer count.

The village is home to the Biserica Adormirea Maicii Domnului church. Nicolae Grecu from Săsăuș painted it in 1800. The church's feast day is celebrated annually on August 15 and brings together worshippers from Arpașu de Sus and the neighboring villages. The fixed date connects the church building with a recurring event in the village. For travel planning, it may be useful to check the event date again before traveling. For a scheduled festival, the current event times should also be checked in addition to the date. A church building and an annual recurring festival offer two different cultural occasions to consider when planning the day.

Cetățuia Arpașu de Sus is an archaeological site with an earthwork fortification in the village of Arpașu de Sus. The site lies on a natural promontory at the foot of the Făgăraș Mountains and overlooks the Olt Valley. The area around Arpașu de Sus is also home to Sambata Monastery, Biserica Ucea de Sus church, Biserica Ortodoxă Sfântul Ilie church and Parohia Ortodoxă Română Victoria church. The natural setting of the earthwork fortification combines its archaeological classification with a specific landscape view over the Olt Valley.

The Mlaca Tătarilor peat bog lies in the immediate vicinity of Arpașu de Sus and is part of the Lacul Tătarilor national nature reserve. The Arpășel nature reserve covers 736 hectares and extends across the administrative areas of the communes of Arpașu de Jos and Cârțișoara. The surrounding area also includes the peaks of Fruntea Malului, Puntea Oii and Tărâța, as well as Muntele Buteanu mountain. For peatlands and nature reserves, current information about trail conditions should be checked before setting out. For the mountains and peaks mentioned, the landscape form and exact names remain important points when preparing for a hike.

The local restaurant La Savulică in Arpașu de Sus offers traditional specialties made with pork and lamb. The cuisine complements the hiking, nature and cultural attractions with a specific local place to visit. Together with the church feast, the churches and the archaeological site, regional gastronomy is one of the different facets of a stay in Arpașu de Sus.

Further destinations: Orlat, Apoldu de Sus, Ocna Sibiului, Biertan, Gunzendorf, Şelimbăr, Grossau, Boiţa

To the overarching travel overview: Hermannstadt.