Pass, Monastery and Cross

The “Nașterea Maicii Domnului” Monastery near Piatra Fântânele lies at 1,200 m in Pasul Tihuța, beside the DN17 national road. The road connects Transylvania with Bukovina, giving the location a clear regional context. Another geographic landmark is the cross near Piatra Fântânele. It stands at 1,227 m on the highest peak of Pasul Tihuța, on the border between Transylvania and Bukovina. The two elevations are 27 m apart. The different descriptions of their locations are also important for orientation: the monastery is situated beside the road, while the cross stands on the highest peak. This makes it possible to situate Piatra Fântânele both in relation to the regional road connection and the highest point of the pass.

Two Historical Dates

The construction history of the church and the history of the monastery are marked by two different years. The monastery church was built in 1928; the monastery was re-established as a nunnery in 1995. The construction year refers to the church building, while the later date refers to the institutional re-establishment. This distinction is useful for understanding the cultural context: it separates the history of the building from a later chapter in the monastery’s history. This way, the two dates are not read as a single event.

Hiking and Stage Planning

The mountain hiking trail from Piatra Fântânele to Poiana “La Borcut” is 4 km long; the route is listed as taking 1.5 hours and is rated easy. An official county list from 2020 records the trail as open in summer and winter. The distance, duration and rating give you concrete figures for planning your day. However, the seasonal information comes from that listing at the time; check current trail conditions before setting out. This makes the hike a clearly defined option alongside the cultural focus: it has a named starting point, a destination and a stated walking time.

For the Via Transilvanica, the official website provides detailed maps, stage descriptions, real-time elevation profiles, points of interest, accommodation options and photos for each section. The Tășuleasa Social campus is a rest stop on the Via Transilvanica where hikers can stay overnight. These stage details offer a different approach to planning than the specific route to La Borcut: section-specific resources are available for the Via Transilvanica, while the mountain hiking trail is described by its length and duration. Use the stage description for the section you are actually planning.

Local information points to two interests when choosing the focus of your stay: the monastery offers a cultural connection through its architectural and institutional history, while the mountain trail is a specifically measured hiking option. The road connection via DN17 and the cross on the border also place the area between Transylvania and Bukovina. Your trip can therefore be focused more on regional orientation, history or outdoor activity, depending on your interests.

Discover more destinations: Telciu, Năsăud, Sângeorz-Băi, Zagra, Uriu, Valea Borcutului, Şieu-Măgheruş, Crainimăt

For the broader travel overview: Bistrita-Nasaud.