Neighbouring the (not much) higher Vlădeasa and the very popular karst area around Padiș, the Muntele Mare does not see many tourists except for skiers around Muntele Băișorii Resort in winter time, day trekkers in the South-Western section and cyclists plying their Northern valleys and slopes. Other than that, most of the main ridge remains relatively ignored by trekkers due to its quite long routes and not very easy access unless one comes by car. The mountain is round, hill-like for the most part, with the dramatic and appealing exception of Scărița - Belioara Cliffs and of a few short, but beautiful gorges to the South-East, the Runc, Pociovaliștea and Poșaga. The picturesque main ridge is dotted from place to place with hamlets, clusters of ‘sălașe’ / ‘colibe’: small, usually single room cottages used by local people in summer time when they stay up there to collect the hay and keep their cattle on the plentiful pastures around. A picturesque occurrence, these sălașe can prove to be annoying from time to time, especially for cyclists, as most of these people have dogs around. For that particular reason, cyclists might prefer spring time or the fall to venture in the Western section of Muntele Mare ridge. The other ugly side of the coin is garbage; I have never met so much garbage littered across vast stretches of mountain pastures like in the area between Ursoaia Saddle and Stea Forest Ranger Hut. The Eastern stretch, except for Șesu Cald area, is quite different, as there are fewer, smaller such sălașe, so it is considerably cleaner and very beautiful. Note there is a military radar unit and a meteorological hut on the highest peak; access past the fence surrounding the two is prohibited, but one can walk around. For ideas of cycling and trekking routes in these mountains and not only, refer to my GPS track page.