Either we are talking about natural monuments, some gifts from aliens, bloody formations because of ritual sacrifice, or positive energy shared by nature, it all leads to the same gorgeous rocks - Babele & Sfinxul, which are going to leave you speechless with both their shapes and landscapes, but also with their legends.

Throughout the numerous touristic attractions you can visit while you are seeking for a new adventure on the Bucegi Mountains Plateau from Romania, there are also these natural rock formations (Babele & Sfinxul) which are being the most popular ones and probably what every tourist gets to visit at least once when they reach this part of the world.
Babele (The Old Women) are located on Baba Mare Peak (2.292m) really close to Babele Chalet, becoming another touristic attraction in the area, being followed by The Sphinx (2.216m) which is situated on just 10min away from the first stones mentioned.

The name of Babele comes from some rock formations looking like mushrooms which are being the result of erosion and varying hardness of the rock layers. There is a total of 4 rocks and they are worshipping to the Earth, Sky, Sun and Moon, being protected with a metallic fence to keep the tourists away from climbing the natural monuments.

The Sphinx is not less impressive, even if the first stones you are going to visit are Babele. Actually, this one is a little bit more popular than the other ones, being also featured in two movies which were filmed next to it, called The Dacians (1967) and Burebista (1980), where the monument is equated with the eternity of Romanian identity and the Dacian king.
The funny part is that the first picture with the rock formation was taken in 1900 but it took 36 years for the tourists to realize it actually has a sphinx-like appearance and make them think about the Great Sphinx of Giza.
The Sphinx represents the biggest natural formation from that area, measuring a height of 8m and 12m width.

Even though these are the most popular touristic attractions from Bucegi Mountains Plateau, the interesting rock formations are not ending here - as the entire surface where these are located, is being surrounded by other stones with unusual shapes.
The saddest part is that The Sphinx is not so protected as Babele are, and even though is circled with lots of panels that are asking for the tourists to not climb the natural monuments, there are always at least 5 people who are doing it anyway. Hopefully, nothing bad will happen and we will get to enjoy the monuments even after 50 years, or more.

Since both of the touristic attractions are located on an altitude of over 2.200m, they were formed due to the wind erosion which has manifested through destruction and sedimentation to the pieces which had broke, giving the aspect of how they look nowadays after the alternation of sandstone and limestone has eroded.
Being such incredible rock formations, of course the legends are not stepping back from being carried by ancestors to the next generations and so on.
That's how, during the time many stories appeared, more or less connected to the monuments. One of them is that the rocks were brought by aliens and that they also have an alien origin or connection since there have been made many tests and all of them are prooving there are some emanations of positive energy that during the time they protected the country from invaders.

The story is not ending here, being confirmed by many specialists who validate the fact that from the distance the rock formation starts having the appearance of an alien and that at certain times during the day or the night, there is being formed an uncommon game of lights and shadows on the stone that makes it look like an alien and human which are sitting back to back.

Another legend says, that the rock formation was there during the Zamolxe living, and it appeared in the same day when Decebal killed his own son in this place, as a ritual sacrifice for sending a message to the gods.
That's how, since this happened - there are hundreds of tourists who are gathering in this place on 28th November, being considered the day with the most powerful energy during the whole year.
No matter whether is raining, snowing or just a windy day, there is always created an energetic pyramid with the sun rays, a phenomenon which cannot be met on a different day.

The ways of reaching this place are numerous, but if you opt for the classic one (hiking), it's highly recommended to have special hiking boots with a thick sole as you will have to constantly climb and there will be some areas (especially when you are getting closer to the destination) with lots of rocks of different shapes which can become pretty sharp for normal shoes.
The hiking sticks are an advantage too, especially when you return, so you will not put too much pressure on the legs or your back.

Reaching the destination took us around 3 hours, with some breaks for taking pictures or resting a little, and the marker you need to follow is the blue cross you see in the picture from above.
Once you reach Babele & Sfinxul, there are also starting a few more trails to Omu Peak, Piatra Arsă Chalet, Caraiman Peak or the Caraiman Cross which is dedicated to the heroes who died in World War I.

To reach the chalet or the natural monuments you can by either opting for cable car from Bușteni or Ialomița Cave, the prices being pretty close to each other, or by road.
It can also be reached by foot if you come from Bușteni on Valea Jepilor (Juniper Valley) or from the crest of the Bucegi Mountains from the Piatra Arsă Chalet (The Burned Rock Chalet).
The biggest problem if you opt for a cable car is that the queues are huge and there are people which are even waiting 4 hours to be their turn and then enjoy the ride for only 17 mins, which is just too much since you could already be to the destination if you pick the hiking method.

SEE YOU IN THE NEXT TRIP! 🗾

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