Pleși offers two different perspectives: the hamlet is named as a stage on routes, and it is also home to wayside crosses with their own motifs and inscriptions. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the routes: Gradus Legionis is a themed hiking trail with a historical connection, while another route runs almost entirely along ridge trails and is suitable for mountain biking.

Routes through Pleși

Gradus Legionis is almost 46 km long and passes through the hamlet of Pleși. This themed hiking trail attempts to trace the Roman conquest route to the Dacian fortress of Căpâlna. Those interested in Roman history and the Dacian fortress will find a clear thematic connection here. The almost 46 km refers to Gradus Legionis as a whole; Pleși is a hamlet on this route and therefore only part of the longer route.

On the Săsciori–Curmături–Cabana Şureanu route, Pleși is a named stage. The route runs almost entirely along ridge trails and is suitable for mountain biking. Gradus Legionis has a historical focus; the Săsciori–Curmături–Cabana Şureanu route runs almost entirely along ridge trails and is suitable for mountain biking.

A route description published in 2021 also mentions a route marked TA in the Șureanu Mountains. According to the description, the route leads from the area of the Roman fort and the “Frumoasa” visitor center via Pleși to Cetatea Căpâlna.

Wayside Crosses and Their Details

Crucea lui Chirilă is a painted wooden cross in a stone shrine at the “Găujoare” location in Pleși. The depiction shows the Crucifixion and includes God the Father, the Virgin Mary and Saint John. Adam’s skull and the city of Jerusalem are also part of the image.

Another wayside cross stands at the “Curmătura Greșilor” location: Crucea din Curmătura Greșilor is a Greek-style stone wayside cross. At its base are the letters “IC XC” and a Cyrillic inscription transcribed as “TOM…”. The east-southeast side faces the road and bears a simple, incised border decoration. Crucea lui Chirilă depicts a painted Crucifixion scene; the Greek-style stone wayside cross in Curmătura Greșilor bears inscriptions and an incised border decoration.

Archaeological Context and Settlement Pattern

The Dacian fortress of Căpâlna is also part of the region’s historical context. Nearby, a comparison of different plinth measurements led to the conclusion that the plinths came from two different sanctuaries located on the fortress terraces.

The settlement pattern provides another, quite different point of reference: houses in Pleși are more dispersed than in Loman. Beyond Pleși, houses become less frequent along the route; summer settlements and sheepfolds take their place.

Discover more destinations: Răchita, Câmpeni, Straja, Bucium, Sebeş, Scărișoara, Săliștea, Pianu De Sus.

For the broader travel overview: Alba.