g0.md · Hiking trails
Easy trails near Chișinău
Short hikes under an hour from the city · Codru forests, viewpoints and Moldova’s highest point. Great for a morning in nature, with family or as a first trail.
The trails at a glance
| Trail | Difficulty | Distance | Marked | Water | From Chișinău |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codri | easy | · | no | no | 45 min |
| Dealul Henciu | easy | · | no | no | 25 min |
| Belvedere Trebujeni · Privire spre Butuceni | easy | · | no | no | 75 min |
| Bălănești Hill | moderate | · | no | no | 90 min |
Gentle walks
Trails you walk in trainers, with no preparation. Both are easy and short, good for a weekend afternoon or a first outing with children. Neither has water along the way, so bring your own.
O plimbare pe traseele ghidate ale rezervației, după ce ai obținut aprobarea administrației
Easy paths through the Codru forest; good for a slow walk in nature.
Punct înalt cu priveliște largă deasupra satului Suruceni
A short trail to the viewpoint on Henciu Hill.
Short climbs with a view
Still short, but with a gradient. The Trebujeni viewpoint looks over the Răut meander and Butuceni village, the most photographed image of Orheiul Vechi. Bălănești is the climb to the country’s highest point at 430 metres · short, but steep toward the top.
Priveliștea peste bucla Răutului spre Butuceni, de pe dealul de lângă Trebujeni
A short climb to the viewpoint above Butuceni village.
Urcarea pe traseul marcat galben din Bălănești până la cel mai înalt punct al țării
A short but steep climb to Moldova’s highest point (430 m), on a forested summit.
Good to know
The closest trail is Dealul Henciu, 25 minutes from the city; the furthest, Bălănești, an hour and a half. None is marked and none has water along the way, so bring your own, especially in summer, since the viewpoints have no shade. Three of the four are rated easy and can be walked in trainers; Bălănești is moderate, with a steep pitch toward the top. Any one of them fits into an afternoon.
Frequently asked
- Which is closest to Chișinău?
- Dealul Henciu, about 25 minutes by car, near Suruceni. It is also the shortest in the guide.
- Are they suitable for children?
- Codri, Dealul Henciu and the Trebujeni viewpoint are rated easy and short. Bălănești is moderate, with a steep final stretch, so there it depends on age.
- What is there to see at Bălănești?
- The highest point in the Republic of Moldova, 430 metres, on a wooded summit. The climb is short but steep toward the end.