Carpatian Mountains
The Carpathian Mountains or Carpathians are a range of mountains forming an arc roughly 1,500 km (932 mi) long across Central Europe, making them the second-longest mountain range in Europe (after the Scandinavian Mountains, 1,700 km (1,056 mi)). They provide the habitat for the largest European populations of brown bears, wolves, chamois and lynxes, with the highest concentration in Romania, as well as over one third of all European plant species. The Carpathians and their foothills also have many thermal and mineral waters, with Romania having one-third of the European total.Romania is likewise home to the largest surface of virgin forests in Europe (excluding Russia), totaling 250,000 hectares (65%), most of them in the Carpathians, with the Southern Carpathians constituting Europe’s largest unfragmented forested area.
The Carpathians consist of a chain of mountain ranges that stretch in an arc from the Czech Republic (3%) in the northwest through Slovakia (17%), Poland (10%), Hungary (4%) and Ukraine (11%) to Romania (53%) in the east and on to the Iron Gateson the River Danube between Romania and Serbia (2%) in the south. The highest range within the Carpathians is the Tatras, on the border of Slovakia and Poland, where the highest peaks exceed 2,600 m (8,530 ft). The second-highest range is the Southern Carpathians in Romania, where the highest peaks exceed 2,500 m (8,202 ft).
The Carpathians are usually divided into three major parts: the Western Carpathians (Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia), the Eastern Carpathians (southeastern Poland, eastern Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania), and the Southern Carpathians (Romania, Serbia).
The most important cities in or near the Carpathians are: Bratislava and Košice in Slovakia; Kraków in Poland; Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu and Braşov in Romania; and Miskolc in Hungary.Romania’s diverse natural landscapes offer numerous choices for exciting outdoor experiences. Travelers can walk through serene alpine meadows covered with scores of wildflowers, trek around glacial lakes, take in the lush-green scenery while horse riding or mountain biking, climb curious rock formations, photograph fossil traces of 15,000-year old cave-bear species, track gold eagles or other rare birds, study endangered flora, wander in the countryside, picnic in the fields, try your hand at traditional crafts, - or just relax in the home of a village family and sample wholesome, country fare with home made wine and plum brandy.
The Oas – Harghita range in the Carpathian Mountains is the longest volcanic mountain chain in Europe.
The 3500-year old Scarisoara glacier, located in the Bihor Mountains – 90 miles southwest of Cluj Napoca - has a volume of 2,649,000 cubic feet (75,000 cubic metres), making it the second largest European underground glacier, after the Eisriesenwelt ice cave in Austria.
The 3500-year old Scarisoara glacier, located in the Bihor Mountains – 90 miles southwest of Cluj Napoca - has a volume of 2,649,000 cubic feet (75,000 cubic metres), making it the second largest European underground glacier, after the Eisriesenwelt ice cave in Austria.
Adventurers and wildlife enthusiasts who hear the call of the wild can add these unique experiences to the top of their activities list:
» Spotting wild egrets, Dalmatian pelicans, glossy ibises or some other 300 species of birds in the Danube Delta
» Rock climbing the
unusual-shaped rocks Pietrele Doamnei in the Rarau Mountains
unusual-shaped rocks Pietrele Doamnei in the Rarau Mountains
» Visiting the Scarisoara ice cave in the Apuseni Nature Park – the 153.6 ft. deep entrance shaft leads to some impressive ice structures, including spectacular six meters high ice stalagmites.
» Exploring the Berca mud volcanoes near Buzau – a stark lunar
landscape of erupting mud.
landscape of erupting mud.
» Taking the Sky Highway challenge — a trek around the Capra glacier lake
in the Fagaras Mountains.
in the Fagaras Mountains.
» Paddling through the frothy waves of the Crisul Repede and Bistrita rivers.
» Trekking Retezat, the rockiest mountain massif of the country,
home to more than 80 glacial lakes and over three hundred flower species.
home to more than 80 glacial lakes and over three hundred flower species.
» Watching wolves at play in the natural park of Vanatori-Neamt in the
Stanisoara Mountains, once the hunting ground of Stephen the Great.
Stanisoara Mountains, once the hunting ground of Stephen the Great.
» Horse riding in the Calimani National Park, renown for its volcanic bizarre
shapes, traces of old craters, and the largest volcanic caldera in Carpathians.
shapes, traces of old craters, and the largest volcanic caldera in Carpathians.
» Completing an exciting multi-day
hike along the main ridge of the Fagaras Mountains - one of the longest continuous high mountain traverses
in Europe, taking you over three of Romania's highest peaks (Moldoveanu - 8,346 ft.; Negoiu - 8,317 ft.;
and Vistea Mare - 8,291 ft.).
hike along the main ridge of the Fagaras Mountains - one of the longest continuous high mountain traverses
in Europe, taking you over three of Romania's highest peaks (Moldoveanu - 8,346 ft.; Negoiu - 8,317 ft.;
and Vistea Mare - 8,291 ft.).
The Carpathian Mountains are home to one of the largest undisturbed forests in Europe.
400 unique species of mammals, including the Carpathian chamois, call the Carpathian Mountains home.
60% of European brown bear population lives in the Carpathian Mountains.
The Carpathian Mountains are forming a semi-circle around Transylvania, which one of Romania's nine historical provinces.
The Western Carpathian Mountains are also called the Mountains of the Sunset (Muntii Apuseni).
400 unique species of mammals, including the Carpathian chamois, call the Carpathian Mountains home.
60% of European brown bear population lives in the Carpathian Mountains.
The Carpathian Mountains are forming a semi-circle around Transylvania, which one of Romania's nine historical provinces.
The Western Carpathian Mountains are also called the Mountains of the Sunset (Muntii Apuseni).
National parks encompass extensive areas of particular geographical interest or outstanding natural beauty.
They have an important conservation role and offer protection to many rare species of animals and plants. In addition to nature conservation, Romania’s natural parks also play an important role in preserving local customs, traditional crafts, historical settlement patterns, and regional architecture.
Most of Romania’s national parks have arrangements for outdoor activities with a network of marked paths and trails and overnight accommodation in either staffed lodges or local guesthouses. In vulnerable areas where it is desirable to limit the impact of visitors, paths and accommodation are minimal.
The complex character of Bucegi Nature Park supports many forms of recreation – hiking on marked trails with an authorised tour guide, mountain climbing – on approximately 280 routes, speleology, photography, filming, winter sports, and mountain biking on the park’s public roads. Peak Omu at 2,505m is the Bucegi Mountains’ highest peak, its symbol the rock formation Sfinx and Babele, a monument to the power of the wind. The park’s diverse landscapes, sculpted from calcareous conglomerates, its geological structure and its 2,000m-plus altitude have promoted rich and diverse flora – over 3,500 known species of plants, most of them protected by law. Fauna here too is much diversified, with around 3,000 known species of animals. Emblematic of the area are the Western Capercaillie, the chamois, the brown bear, and the lynx.
The Western Capercaillie is a protected species. Its length from beak to tail is between 90 and 112cm, depending on its environment and diet. Body weight for a male is 4.5 to 6.5kg, for a female 1.8 to 3kg.
Apuseni Mountains Nature Park was among 22 destinations to be designated a European Destination of Excellence in 2009 as part of the European Destinations of Excellence project’s Tourism and Protected Habitats program. Launched by the European Commission, the project was implemented by the national tourism authorities of every participating territory. The most spectacular sights in the Apuseni Mountains, from both natural and cultural points of view, are found in this park. Its character is defined by its karst landscape, with sinkholes, deep valleys and gentle ridges alternating with rocky areas with canyons and gorges, above a network of more than 3,500 underground caves. The park’s characteristics distinguish it with Romania’s highest and largest cave portals – Cetăţile Ponorului (‘Fortress of Ponor’) at 76m and Coiba Mare Portal, 54 to 45m in width – the deepest hollow (Hollow V5 in Vărăşoaia, 642m deep), the deepest siphon (Izbucul Tăuz, 85m deep), only polje (Poiana Ponor) and the valley with highest ratio of caves to area (Sighiştelului Valley has more than 200 caves in around 10 km2).
For visitors, attractions include the karst features and spectacular natural landscapes such as Padiş karst plateau, the Cetăţile Ponorului Karstic Complex, Lumea Pierdută Karst Plateau, Urşilor Cave at Chişcău, Sighiştelului Valley, Ruginoasa Pit, Galbenei Gorge, Glacier Scărişoara, Coiba Mare Cave, Coiba Mica Cave, Şura Boghii Cave, Ordâncuşii Valley, Someşul Cald Keys, Răchitele Waterfall, Fântanele Lake and Cârligate peak. Among the area’s cultural highlights are Arieşului Valley and the hamlets of Moţilor Country. One of these, the highest permanent settlements in the Carpathians, Casa-de-Piatră is the most remote and picturesque hamlet in all the Apuseni Mountains.
Many visitor activities are possible here – summer and winter hiking, cross-country skiing on designated trails, downhill skiing on the slope on Vârtop, Arieşeni, rock-climbing on special routes, cycling, visiting the caves, rafting and white-water kayaking, visiting cultural and heritage attractions, photography, nature watching (the flora, the fauna, underground photography), horse riding and, in winter, dog sledding.
Recommended tourist routes:
Dubova Gulf – Cazanele Mari (‘Large Cauldrons’)
Grade yellow triangle Duration: 2 hours
Dubova Gulf – Cazanele Mici (‘Small Cauldrons’)
Grade: red triangle Duration: 1 hour
Starişte – Trescovăţ
Grade: red triangle Duration: 6 hours
They have an important conservation role and offer protection to many rare species of animals and plants. In addition to nature conservation, Romania’s natural parks also play an important role in preserving local customs, traditional crafts, historical settlement patterns, and regional architecture.
Most of Romania’s national parks have arrangements for outdoor activities with a network of marked paths and trails and overnight accommodation in either staffed lodges or local guesthouses. In vulnerable areas where it is desirable to limit the impact of visitors, paths and accommodation are minimal.
NATURE PARKS
Rich in spectacular landscapes and biological diversity, Romania’s 14 nature parks are Bucegi, Apuseni Mountains, Portile de Fier (‘Iron Gates’), Comana, Defileul Mureşului Superior (‘Upper Mures Gorge’), Balta Mică a Brăilei (‘Small Moor of Brăila’), Lunca Mureşului Inferior (‘Lower Mures Meadow’), Lunca Joasă a Prutului Inferior (‘Lower Meadow of Lower Prut’), Grădiştea Muncelului – Cioclovina, Maramureşului Mountains, Vânători-Neamţ, Putna – Vrancea, Geoparcul Dinozaurilor Ţara Haţegului and Geoparcul Platoul Mehedinţi. Here are some of their highlights.
Rich in spectacular landscapes and biological diversity, Romania’s 14 nature parks are Bucegi, Apuseni Mountains, Portile de Fier (‘Iron Gates’), Comana, Defileul Mureşului Superior (‘Upper Mures Gorge’), Balta Mică a Brăilei (‘Small Moor of Brăila’), Lunca Mureşului Inferior (‘Lower Mures Meadow’), Lunca Joasă a Prutului Inferior (‘Lower Meadow of Lower Prut’), Grădiştea Muncelului – Cioclovina, Maramureşului Mountains, Vânători-Neamţ, Putna – Vrancea, Geoparcul Dinozaurilor Ţara Haţegului and Geoparcul Platoul Mehedinţi. Here are some of their highlights.
Bucegi Nature Park
The complex character of Bucegi Nature Park supports many forms of recreation – hiking on marked trails with an authorised tour guide, mountain climbing – on approximately 280 routes, speleology, photography, filming, winter sports, and mountain biking on the park’s public roads. Peak Omu at 2,505m is the Bucegi Mountains’ highest peak, its symbol the rock formation Sfinx and Babele, a monument to the power of the wind. The park’s diverse landscapes, sculpted from calcareous conglomerates, its geological structure and its 2,000m-plus altitude have promoted rich and diverse flora – over 3,500 known species of plants, most of them protected by law. Fauna here too is much diversified, with around 3,000 known species of animals. Emblematic of the area are the Western Capercaillie, the chamois, the brown bear, and the lynx.
The Western Capercaillie is a protected species. Its length from beak to tail is between 90 and 112cm, depending on its environment and diet. Body weight for a male is 4.5 to 6.5kg, for a female 1.8 to 3kg.
Recommended tourist routes
Route 5 Buşteni (885m) – Urlătoarea Waterfall (1100m)
Grade: red dot Duration: 1 hour
Route 7 Buşteni (885m), Jepilor Valley – Caraiman Cottage (2025m) – Babele Cottage (2200m) – Peştera Hotel (1610m) – Padina Cottage (1525m) – Bolboci Cottage (1460m) – Zănoaga Cottage (1400m) – Scropoasa Cottage (1205m) – Dobreşti (1000m) – Căprioara – Pucheni Camp (800m)
Grade: blue cross Duration: 11 to 12 hours
Route 10 Buşteni (885m) – Gura Diham Cottage (987m) – Poiana Izvoarelor Cottage (1455m) – La Prepeleac (1750m) – Omu Cottage (2505m) – Bătrâna Mountain (2181m) – Saddle Strunga (1909m)
Grade: red strip Duration: 8 to 10 hours
Route 5 Buşteni (885m) – Urlătoarea Waterfall (1100m)
Grade: red dot Duration: 1 hour
Route 7 Buşteni (885m), Jepilor Valley – Caraiman Cottage (2025m) – Babele Cottage (2200m) – Peştera Hotel (1610m) – Padina Cottage (1525m) – Bolboci Cottage (1460m) – Zănoaga Cottage (1400m) – Scropoasa Cottage (1205m) – Dobreşti (1000m) – Căprioara – Pucheni Camp (800m)
Grade: blue cross Duration: 11 to 12 hours
Route 10 Buşteni (885m) – Gura Diham Cottage (987m) – Poiana Izvoarelor Cottage (1455m) – La Prepeleac (1750m) – Omu Cottage (2505m) – Bătrâna Mountain (2181m) – Saddle Strunga (1909m)
Grade: red strip Duration: 8 to 10 hours
Location: central Romania, Braşov, Prahova, Dâmboviţa Counties
Area: 326,63 km2
Access:
By car – from upper Prahovei Valley (DN 1), Târgovişte – Sinaia (DN 71) – Moroieni – Barajul Bolboci
By train – to Sinaia, Buşteni, Predeal or Braşov
Local accommodation: 2 and 3-star cottages, 2-star guest houses
Contact: Bucegi Nature Park Administration
www.bucegipark.ro
Information points: Scropoasa canton, Park Authority headquarters, Saddle Strunga visitor refuge
Area: 326,63 km2
Access:
By car – from upper Prahovei Valley (DN 1), Târgovişte – Sinaia (DN 71) – Moroieni – Barajul Bolboci
By train – to Sinaia, Buşteni, Predeal or Braşov
Local accommodation: 2 and 3-star cottages, 2-star guest houses
Contact: Bucegi Nature Park Administration
www.bucegipark.ro
Information points: Scropoasa canton, Park Authority headquarters, Saddle Strunga visitor refuge
Apuseni Mountains Nature Park
Apuseni Mountains Nature Park was among 22 destinations to be designated a European Destination of Excellence in 2009 as part of the European Destinations of Excellence project’s Tourism and Protected Habitats program. Launched by the European Commission, the project was implemented by the national tourism authorities of every participating territory. The most spectacular sights in the Apuseni Mountains, from both natural and cultural points of view, are found in this park. Its character is defined by its karst landscape, with sinkholes, deep valleys and gentle ridges alternating with rocky areas with canyons and gorges, above a network of more than 3,500 underground caves. The park’s characteristics distinguish it with Romania’s highest and largest cave portals – Cetăţile Ponorului (‘Fortress of Ponor’) at 76m and Coiba Mare Portal, 54 to 45m in width – the deepest hollow (Hollow V5 in Vărăşoaia, 642m deep), the deepest siphon (Izbucul Tăuz, 85m deep), only polje (Poiana Ponor) and the valley with highest ratio of caves to area (Sighiştelului Valley has more than 200 caves in around 10 km2).
For visitors, attractions include the karst features and spectacular natural landscapes such as Padiş karst plateau, the Cetăţile Ponorului Karstic Complex, Lumea Pierdută Karst Plateau, Urşilor Cave at Chişcău, Sighiştelului Valley, Ruginoasa Pit, Galbenei Gorge, Glacier Scărişoara, Coiba Mare Cave, Coiba Mica Cave, Şura Boghii Cave, Ordâncuşii Valley, Someşul Cald Keys, Răchitele Waterfall, Fântanele Lake and Cârligate peak. Among the area’s cultural highlights are Arieşului Valley and the hamlets of Moţilor Country. One of these, the highest permanent settlements in the Carpathians, Casa-de-Piatră is the most remote and picturesque hamlet in all the Apuseni Mountains.
Many visitor activities are possible here – summer and winter hiking, cross-country skiing on designated trails, downhill skiing on the slope on Vârtop, Arieşeni, rock-climbing on special routes, cycling, visiting the caves, rafting and white-water kayaking, visiting cultural and heritage attractions, photography, nature watching (the flora, the fauna, underground photography), horse riding and, in winter, dog sledding.
Recommended tourist routes:
Stâna de Vale (1,080m) – Bohodei Saddle – Fântâna Rece – Cârligatele – Cumpănăţelul Saddle – Piatra Arsă – Poiana Vărăşoaia – Vărăşoaia Cottage – Padiş Plane – Bălileasa Depression – Poiana Glăvoi – Poiana Căput – Bârsa Cohanului – Poniţa Saddle – Vârtop Peak – Vârtop Saddle (1,160m) – Piatra Grăitoare Peak (1658m) – Tarniţa Bihorului Saddle – Cucurbăta Mare Peak (1849m)
Grade: red strip Duration: 12 to 13 hours
Valley Sighiştelului – Sodolul Laurului – Brusturi Hill – Urşilor Cave – Brusturi Valley – Dosuri Hill – Faţa Plaiului – Poiana Măgura – Sighiştelului Valley
Grade: red dot Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Stâna de Vale (1,080m) – Bohodei Saddle – Fântâna Rece – Cârligatele – Cumpănăţelul Saddle – Piatra Arsă – Poiana Vărăşoaia – Vărăşoaia Cottage – Padiş Plane – Bălileasa Depression – Poiana Glăvoi – Poiana Căput – Bârsa Cohanului – Poniţa Saddle – Vârtop Peak – Vârtop Saddle (1,160m) – Piatra Grăitoare Peak (1658m) – Tarniţa Bihorului Saddle – Cucurbăta Mare Peak (1849m)
Grade: red strip Duration: 12 to 13 hours
Valley Sighiştelului – Sodolul Laurului – Brusturi Hill – Urşilor Cave – Brusturi Valley – Dosuri Hill – Faţa Plaiului – Poiana Măgura – Sighiştelului Valley
Grade: red dot Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Location: north-west Romania, Bihor, Cluj and Alba Counties
Area: 760 km2
Access:
By car – through Oradea – Cluj-Napoca (E 60) – Huedin (E60/DN1) Oradea – Deva (E 79/DN 76) – Ştei – Lunca – Câmpeni (DN 75)
By train – to Beiuş, Ştei or Huedin
Local accommodation: 3-star villas, 3-star camping, 3-star guest houses
Contact: Nature Park Administration Apuseni Sudirigiu
www.parcapuseni.ro
Information: The new administrative headquarters of Apuseni Mountains Nature Park in Sudrigiu, Bihor County has a visiting and information centre, and three further tourist information and visiting centres can be found in the Padiş Plateau (Padiş Plane area), in the villages of Gârda de Sus and Doda Pilii.
Area: 760 km2
Access:
By car – through Oradea – Cluj-Napoca (E 60) – Huedin (E60/DN1) Oradea – Deva (E 79/DN 76) – Ştei – Lunca – Câmpeni (DN 75)
By train – to Beiuş, Ştei or Huedin
Local accommodation: 3-star villas, 3-star camping, 3-star guest houses
Contact: Nature Park Administration Apuseni Sudirigiu
www.parcapuseni.ro
Information: The new administrative headquarters of Apuseni Mountains Nature Park in Sudrigiu, Bihor County has a visiting and information centre, and three further tourist information and visiting centres can be found in the Padiş Plateau (Padiş Plane area), in the villages of Gârda de Sus and Doda Pilii.
Vânători Neamţ Nature Park
Vânători Neamţ Nature Park is a refuge for many rare and endangered species, including lynx, otters, brown bears and aurochs, a kind of huge wild cattle and Europe’s largest animal. In 1927, less than 50 aurochs survived worldwide, and all of them were in captivity. Today, 55 aurochs live in Romania in three reservations. Dragoş Vodă Reservation from Neamţ County has more pairs of them and three ponds – Zimbrilor, Cerbilor and Căpriorilor – lie nearby.
Location: north-east Romania, Neamt County
Area: 308 km2
Access:
By car – on E85/DN 2 Suceava – Cristeşti, then on DN15 B through Târgu Neamţ – Vânători Neamţ;
on E85/DN2 Roman – Cristeşti, then on DN15 B
By train – to Piatra Neamţ
Contact: Nature Park Administration Vânători Neamţ
www.vanatoripark.ro
Area: 308 km2
Access:
By car – on E85/DN 2 Suceava – Cristeşti, then on DN15 B through Târgu Neamţ – Vânători Neamţ;
on E85/DN2 Roman – Cristeşti, then on DN15 B
By train – to Piatra Neamţ
Contact: Nature Park Administration Vânători Neamţ
www.vanatoripark.ro
Porţile-de-Fier (‘Iron Gates’) Nature Park
Distinctive geological, geomorphic and biological diversity including important wet areas – habitat for some species of internationally protected birds – and traces of settlement from the Paleolithic era make Porţile-de-Fier Nature Park a veritable outdoor museum. In the Cazanele Mari area, the Danube river’s narrowest gorge, 53m deep and 150m wide, forces the water through such a constricted space that it creates extremely strong currents which make the surface appear to be constantly boiling, hence the name cazane (‘boilers’). For many years, this barrier of rocks rising from the Danube and the turbulent water made navigating the river, at its entrance to Romania, almost impossible.
In biodiversity terms, Porţile-de-Fier National Park is one of Romania’s richest regions, harbouring many species which are of great scientific interest. Beech and Durmast forests cover 75% of Almajului and Locvei mountains, while many species unique to Romania also flourish. Beech, yew and bilberry trees are unusual at such low altitude, while some lowland varieties – wild lilac, Turkey oak and flowering ash can be found in the Danube gorge at uncharacteristically high altitudes.
Recommended tourist routes:
Dubova Gulf – Cazanele Mari (‘Large Cauldrons’)
Grade yellow triangle Duration: 2 hours
Dubova Gulf – Cazanele Mici (‘Small Cauldrons’)
Grade: red triangle Duration: 1 hour
Starişte – Trescovăţ
Grade: red triangle Duration: 6 hours
Location: south-west Romania, Mehedinţi and Caraş-Severin Counties
Area: 1271 km2
Access:
By car – through Drobeta Turnu-Severin – Orşova (E70/DN6) – Moldova Nouă (DN 57), Reşiţa – Oraviţa – Naidaş – Moldova Nouă (DN 57)
By train – until the train stations Drobeta Turnu-Severin, Orşova or Reşiţa
Local accommodation: 3-star hotels, 2 and 3-star guest houses
Contact: Porţile-de-Fier Nature Park Administration
www.portiledefierpn.ro
Area: 1271 km2
Access:
By car – through Drobeta Turnu-Severin – Orşova (E70/DN6) – Moldova Nouă (DN 57), Reşiţa – Oraviţa – Naidaş – Moldova Nouă (DN 57)
By train – until the train stations Drobeta Turnu-Severin, Orşova or Reşiţa
Local accommodation: 3-star hotels, 2 and 3-star guest houses
Contact: Porţile-de-Fier Nature Park Administration
www.portiledefierpn.ro
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