“Valea lui Stan” is probably the most beautiful and well-arranged gorges, now called a canyon, in Romania. The trail is marked and properly arranged by Salvamont Arges, with the starting point on Transfagarasan, just above the gendarmes’ post guarding the water supply conduit of the Capataneni hydroelectric power plant.
Valea lui Stan became accessible in the 1970s when the Valea lui Stan stream was captured and directed through underground pipes into the Vidraru reservoir. The reduction of water volume in Valea lui Stan made this valley accessible, and subsequently, mountain enthusiasts working on the Vidraru and Transfagarasan construction sites placed metal stairs in the challenging areas during the 1970s.
Starting from 2010, crossing Valea lui Stan became dangerous due to the degradation of the steps and stairs installed in the 1970s. Salvamont Arges decided to get involved, and in 2012 and 2013, the stairs and steps in Valea lui Stan were rebuilt by the Argesean mountain rescue team, making the trail of Valea lui Stan safe again.
