When I begin to speak

Some say mountains don’t talk. But I’ve been telling stories since the world began, just not with words. You can hear me in the wind, in the murmur of the springs, in the hush of the forest when you step onto the trail before the sun climbs over my shoulders.

I am Bucovina. A place that listens back.

For years, I’ve watched runners come from every corner of the world. They arrive curious, shy, maybe a little hurried and they always leave different. No one leaves empty-handed. I leave mud on their shoes, a stone in their pocket, the scent of pine in their heart, and if they’re really listening, a kind of silence that stays long after they’ve gone. Recently, I became part of the UTMB World Series family, a big world of mountains and souls who run with their hearts.

To some, it’s recognition. To me, it’s simply my way of saying: “I’m ready to be known.”

I never wanted to shine brighter. I just wanted to open the gate a little wider so others could feel what it’s like when the fog lifts from Rarău, when the first light spills over the forest, when a dog barks somewhere down the valley and you realize you’re not alone. Through Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB, I now share my trails, my laughter, my stubborn weather, and my endless sky with the world. But deep down, I remain the same. My trails are still wild. My people still kind. The soup still hot. And someone will still ask if you’ve eaten enough. When you come to me, don’t come just to run. Come to listen. Sit on a wooden bench after the race, with tired feet and a full heart. Watch the clouds play over the ridges and understand, maybe for the first time, that some places don’t need to shout to stay with you forever. So when you tie your laces and look up at the trail ahead, remember: This isn’t a race against time. It’s a dance with me.

I am Bucovina. And I’ve been waiting for you for a long time!