Caves & Nature · Bușteni
Crucea Eroilor de pe Caraiman
The cross raised in 1926–1928 on Caraiman, at 2,291 m, in memory of the heroes of the First World War — in Guinness World Records since 2013. Reached only by mountain trails, most easily with the cable car up to Babele.
NavigateWhatsAppFoto: Papa3 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
At a glance
Distance from MAX34 kmTravel time51 min cu mașinaTownBușteniAbout the place
Current status (checked 12 October 2026)
The Heroes' Cross is an open-air monument on Mount Caraiman, at 2,291 m altitude. It has no published visiting hours and no ticket of its own. Access is by mountain trails and depends on the weather and the state of the trail; in winter there is avalanche danger on some trails. It is not accessible by wheelchair or pushchair.
The monument to the heroes of the First World War
The cross was built between 1926 and 1928 (some sources give 1924–1928), on the initiative of Queen Marie and King Ferdinand, in memory of the Romanian heroes who fell in the First World War. It was inaugurated and consecrated on 14 September 1928, on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It was built by workers from the bridges directorate of the CFR railway, helped by locals from Bușteni. Every September, the Ministry of National Defence holds a ceremony here to honour the heroes.
What you see
The cross is almost 40 metres tall — sources give between 39.3 and 39.5 m — and since 2013 it has been listed by Guinness World Records as the tallest cross placed on a mountain peak. It stands right on the edge of the drop towards Valea Seacă, above the town of Bușteni.
Opening hours and prices (checked 12 October 2026)
The monument has no published hours or price of its own. A hiking organiser mentions, in 2026, an entrance fee for Bucegi Nature Park of 10 lei per person; check the park's official source before you go. The Bușteni–Babele cable car has its own hours and prices — you will find them on its page in this guide.
Getting there
From MAX International, drive towards Predeal, on the DN73A through Pârâul Rece or via Brașov, then along the DN1 to Bușteni. The easiest option is the cable car up to Babele, from where a marked trail across the plateau leads to the Cross. The walking route from Bușteni, via Jepii Mici, is only done in summer, climbs more than 1,000 m and has narrow sections with cables and chains, so it calls for experience and equipment. Trail times differ from one source to another, so check them beforehand. You can see the distance to Bușteni with the navigation buttons on this page.
Frequently asked questions
Ce este Ghidul Local MAX International?Un ghid al obiectivelor, traseelor și evenimentelor din zona Râșnov–Brașov–Bran, gândit ca punct de informare pentru oaspeții MAX International. Fiecare obiectiv are distanța din MAX, hartă și detalii de acces.
Cât de departe sunt obiectivele de MAX International?Variază: de la câțiva kilometri (Cetatea Râșnov, Peștera Valea Cetății) până la ~50 km (Bușteni, Sinaia). Fiecare pagină afișează distanța aproximativă și timpul cu mașina din MAX.
Informațiile din ghid sunt verificate?Da. Fiecare obiectiv publicat are sursă oficială și hartă confirmate. Programul și tarifele se pot schimba sezonier, așa că verifică linkul oficial înainte de vizită.
Pot cere recomandări la recepția MAX International?Da. Recepția și concierge-ul MAX International te pot ajuta cu recomandări, transfer și rezervări, în funcție de sezon și de preferințe.
Cum ajung la obiective dacă nu am mașină?Recepția MAX te poate ajuta cu transfer privat sau cu informații despre transport. Pentru obiectivele apropiate (Cetatea Râșnov, centrul Râșnovului) accesul e ușor și pe jos.
Care e cea mai bună perioadă pentru a vizita zona?Zona e atractivă tot anul: vara pentru trasee și peșteri, iarna pentru pârtii și telecabine. Fiecare obiectiv indică sezonul recomandat.
Pot rezerva cazare lângă aceste obiective?Da — MAX International Râșnov e o bază centrală pentru explorarea zonei. Vezi secțiunea de cazare sau scrie-ne pe WhatsApp pentru disponibilitate.
Getting there
NavigateWazeApple MapsUber from MAXWhatsAppIn this area
Telescaun Clabucet Predeal
- Outdoor & Trails
A chairlift in the Predeal resort, on the Clăbucet ski area, providing access to the slopes and to scenic viewpoints in the area.
~32 km · ~40 min by car · ≈2–4 hrs
DetailsNavigateGondola Sinaia – Cota 2000
- Outdoor & Trails
Take the gondola above the fir trees of Sinaia up to the edge of the Bucegi plateau, at Cota 2000. From here begin the routes to Babele, the Sphinx and Omu Peak, on one of the most spectacular cable ascents in Romania.
~52 km · ~1 hour by car · half a day
DetailsNavigateTelecabina Bușteni–Babele
- Outdoor & Trails
A cable car from Bușteni to the Babele plateau, in the Munții Bucegi, with swift access to the high-altitude trails and the landmarks of the area.
~45 km · ~55 min by car · ≈2–4 hrs
DetailsNavigateMasivul Piatra Mare
- Outdoor & Trails
Known as the "watchtower of the Bârsa Land", the Piatra Mare massif rises proudly next to Brașov, with its peak reaching nearly 1,844 m, canyons with stepped waterfalls, an ice cave and wild cliffs — a spectacular mountain just a short distance from Râșnov.
12 km · 18 min by car · half a day (mountain trail)
DetailsNavigate3 Smoked Olives Festival — Sâmbăta de Sus
- Events
A music and art festival at the foot of the Făgăraș Mountains, in Sâmbăta de Sus (2026: 29 July — to be reconfirmed each year).
≈65 km · ≈1h by car
DetailsNavigateCetatea Făgărașului
- Heritage & History
A ring of water fed by the Olt, on which swans glide, a tower with walls three metres thick, and a fortress that no one has ever taken by assault: just a short distance from Râșnov, Făgăraș preserves six centuries of Transylvanian history.
64 km · 75 min · ≈45–60 min
DetailsNavigate+2See all attractions
Back to the Local GuideEverything at MAX, in one place
Accommodation
Rooms and apartments for couples, families and groups
See the roomsRestaurant
Fresh dishes, breakfast and an à la carte menu
See the restaurantParking & Access
On-site parking, an EV charger and easy access
See the parkingTransfer & Rent-a-Car
Airport transfers and car rental, through our partner
See the servicesNavigateI'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager.