More than 35 hydromineral springs give Băile Olăneşti its distinctive spa-town character. There are also hiking trails, walks and historic wooden churches. The town lies at the foot of the Căpățânii Mountains. You can focus your stay on the mineral springs, outdoor activities or cultural heritage.
Mineral Springs and Spa-Town History
The springs come from different sources: alongside natural springs, there are springs tapped by drilling and mining installations such as wells and adits. Fifteen mineral springs are tapped for drinking cures. Two mineral springs and four mineral-water wells are used for external treatments, or balneation. The mineral waters of Băile Olăneşti received a gold medal at the 1873 Vienna Exhibition—a historical landmark underscoring the importance of the springs.
Outdoor exercise is also among the town's leisure activities. You can take walks in the central park, and mountain biking is also available. Alongside the mineral springs, trails and activities offer other ways to plan your stay.
Hiking Trails and Landscape
Several hiking trails lead from Olănești to different destinations. One local route goes to Tisa and Gurguiata. A red-marked hiking route runs through the Valea Olănești and over Muntele Stogu to Cantonul Cheia. Another route, marked with a red cross, goes via Schitul Iezer and Schitul Pahomie to Schitul Pătrunsa. In Buila-Vânturarița National Park, visitors may use only marked hiking trails or authorized, marked climbing routes.
From the spa town, access to Cheile Olănești continues for another 14 km along the Valea Olănești on a forest road. Cheile Cheia is among the country's narrowest and wildest gorge sections. The protected natural area of Peştera Caprelor covers 0.50 hectares and lies within the administrative area of Oraşul Băile Olăneşti. These destinations and landscapes offer other possible excursion interests; plan the access routes to each separately.
Wooden Churches and Schitul Iezer
The wooden church of Sf. Pantelimon dates back to 1746. It was the first wooden church in Romania to be saved as a historic monument. Another wooden monument of Romanian folk architecture is Bisericuța lui Horea din Albac. It is historically associated with Vasile Nicula Ursu, known as Horea, who led the largest peasant uprising in Transylvania in 1784. In 1954, the church was brought to Băile Olăneşti and reconstructed there; it was consecrated on October 12, 1958.
Schitul Iezer lies at the foot of the Cheia Mountains, in a clearing surrounded by old-growth forests. It can be reached via the village of Cheia. From the last bus stop, a forest road leads there and is passable year-round, except in winters with heavy snowfall. On foot, Schitul Iezer can be reached from the central spring group via the former village of Tisa. The monastery became a pilgrimage site; a monk was canonized in 1996.
Schitul Bradu and Getting There
Schitul Bradu is in Gurguiata. Access is via Tisa, followed by a walk of about five kilometers. The church is dedicated to John the Baptist and was founded in 1784. Together with the different routes to Schitul Iezer, these places give you a practical reason to distinguish between walking trails, forest roads and cultural heritage when planning your visit.
If you travel by train, go via Râmnicu Vâlcea station; from there, it is about 18 km to the spa town by road. Include this onward journey in your travel plans. If you are looking for a hotel in Băile Olăneşti, you can start by choosing according to the focus of your stay: mineral springs, hikes or historic sites.
Discover more destinations: Călimănești, Râmnicu Vâlcea, Banesti, Ocnele Mari, Voineasa, Lazaret, Blidari, Marița.
View the regional travel overview: Vâlcea.
