Sight · 10 minutes + cable car · 2,200 m

Babele and the Sphinx, by cable car from Bușteni

Babele and the Sphinx (Sfinxul) are rocks shaped by wind, rain and frost on the Bucegi plateau, at around 2,200 m. You reach them on the Bușteni – Babele cable car, whose base station is 10 minutes by car from Forest Retreat Villas.

Babele in the Bucegi Mountains: mushroom-shaped rocks with orange lichen, under a cloudy sky, at 2,200 m
At a glance

All you need to know, in a minute.

  • Cable car base station: 4 km from the villas, about 10 minutes by car
  • The cable car climbs from Bușteni to just by the Babele chalet, at over 2,000 m
  • Babele: around 2,200 m · the Sphinx: about 2,216 m
  • From the cable car to the Sphinx: a few minutes on an easy path
  • Up top it is usually 8–10 degrees colder than in Bușteni
  • The cable car does not run in strong wind
What you see up top

Rocks sculpted by the weather, not by people

Babele are a cluster of rounded rocks which, seen up close, resemble a group of old women gathered for a chat. That is where the name comes from (“babe” means old women). Over time they were shaped by wind, rain and frost, which wore away the layers of rock unevenly.

The Sphinx is a few minutes’ walk away, slightly higher up. Seen from the right angle, the rock’s profile resembles a human face, like that of the Sphinx in Egypt. The best light for photographs is in the morning or towards sunset.

All around stretches the Bucegi plateau, with views over the Prahova Valley, towards Caraiman and, in clear weather, towards Omu Peak. The cable car is the simplest way to reach over 2,000 m without effort.

Photos from the plateau

The Sphinx, Babele and the plateau’s residents

The Sphinx of the Bucegi, a rock with the profile of a human face, under a clear blue sky, with a fenced path around it
The Sphinx, at about 2,216 m. Seen from the side, the rock’s profile resembles a human face.
The Sphinx in profile, seen from the stone slabs of the Bucegi plateau, with the Babele chalet on the right
The same Sphinx, from the plateau’s stone slabs. On the right is the Babele chalet, next to the cable car station.
A red fox on the Bucegi plateau, in front of the rocks at the base of the Sphinx
The foxes on the plateau are used to people. Photograph them from a distance and do not feed them.
A green cable car cabin on its cable, above the Bucegi plateau in the Babele area, against a clear sky
The ride up by cable car

From 900 m to over 2,000 m, effortlessly.

The Bușteni – Babele cable car departs about 10 minutes by car from the villas and drops you next to the Babele chalet, a few steps from the rocks. From Babele, a second cable car descends towards Peștera, in the Ialomița valley.

  • Set off in the morning: shorter queues and clearer skies
  • The cable car does not run in strong wind
  • The timetable varies from season to season; we help you check
Tips from your hosts

How to plan your trip up

Leave early

At weekends and during holidays there are queues for the cable car. Mornings are quieter, and the clouds usually rise in the afternoon.

Warm clothes

Even in summer, the wind blows on the plateau. Bring a jacket, hats for the children and closed shoes.

Check the weather

In strong wind the cable car stops. We will tell you in the morning whether the trip up is worth it.

With children

The cable car and the walk to the Sphinx suit the whole family. Keep away from the steep edges.

Further on

From Babele, a second cable car descends to Peștera, from where you can reach Ialomița Cave.

For hikers

You can also hike up on the Urlătoarea Waterfall – Babele trail and come down by cable car.

Frequently asked questions

What our guests ask about Babele and the Sphinx

How far is the Bușteni – Babele cable car from Forest Retreat Villas?+
The cable car’s base station is about 4 km from the villas, roughly 10 minutes by car.
At what altitude are Babele and the Sphinx?+
Babele lie at around 2,200 m, and the Sphinx slightly higher, at about 2,216 m, on the plateau of the Bucegi Mountains.
How long is the walk from the cable car to the Sphinx?+
Babele are right next to the cable car’s top station. The Sphinx is just a few minutes’ walk across the plateau, on an easy path.
Does the cable car run in all weather?+
No. In strong wind the cable car stops for safety reasons, and the timetable varies from season to season. We recommend checking on the morning of your trip; we are happy to help.
Is the trip suitable for children?+
Yes. The cable car ride and the short walk to the Sphinx are suitable for children too. Bring warm clothes: it is noticeably colder up top than in Bușteni.
Are there wild animals at Babele and the Sphinx?+
Yes. Foxes are often seen on the plateau and are used to people. They are wild animals: do not feed them and keep your distance, especially with children.
Can you get from Babele to Ialomița Cave?+
Yes. A second cable car leaves Babele for Peștera, in the Ialomița valley. From there you can walk to Ialomița Cave (Peștera Ialomiței).
Plan your trip up

Would you like to go up to Babele during your stay?

Write to us and on the morning itself we will tell you whether the cable car is running and what the weather is like up top. WhatsApp is the quickest way.

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