Romania’s natural sceneries are always surprising and invite you to discover the beautiful places which surround you. Whether you love the mountain trails and the guitar tunes around the campfire or you prefer to admire the surroundings in a paddle boat, there is definitely a perfect destination for you in this country. We are presenting you with Romania’s most important natural attractions. Be ready to enjoy the fresh air, amazing views and unforgettable moments.

CeahlÓ‘u Mountains

Situated at the heart of Moldavia and mirroring its greatness in the crystal clear water of Izvorul Muntelui Lake, the CeahlÓ‘u is one of the most fascinating massifs in the Romanian Carpathians. Filled with stories and mysteries and considered the second holy mountain of orthodox Christianity, it stands out with its stone carved beauties, a masterpiece of time and nature. Its unique sceneries reveal themselves to true nature lovers, as there are no traffic routes to the top or cable cars. Hikes are done on foot, and the effort is fully worth it, as the panoramas revealing themselves at different altitudes are outright stunning.

At the beginning of August, on the plateau of the CeahlÓ‘u, two surprising optical phenomena that you shouldn’t miss are formed. The first is the Pyramid Shadow, a hologram formed by Toaca and Piatra peaks, lit by the first sunrays. The other is The Sky’s Path, a beam of light margined by two dark bands, taking shape above Toaca peak. At sunrise, CeahlÓ‘u’s alpine sea is invaded by wonderful colors which add to its charm.

The routes on the massif reveal natural reservations which house rare plant and animal species – Ocolasul Mare, Polita cu Crini, Duruitoarea Waterfall, Avenul Mare – rocks with human shapes (Dochia and Panaghia) and chalets where you will taste delicious traditional dishes. On the mountain there are numerous unaltered areas, favorable for protected species of flora and fauna: the edelweiss, the lady’s slipper orchid, the golden eagle, the chamois, and the wallcreeper. The CeahlÓ‘u is grandiose, enigmatic and full of surprises, ideal for those looking for authentic mountain sceneries, fresh air and quiet places where to set camp.

Nerei Gorges 

In Aninei Mountains, the Nera has dug an oasis of wild beauty, interspersed with turquoise lakes, tempestuous waterfalls and white, shiny rocks. In Nera’s Gorges the secular forests hide bright glades, full of multicolored flowers, the rivers follow their course through the rocky walls and the caves welcome you with their mysterious atmosphere.

In your hikes along the defile you will most often see noisy waterfalls rolling over the cliffs. The most spectacular of them is BigÓ‘r Cascade, situated in the area traversed by the 45th parallel north. Pouring down from the huge calcareous mushroom, the water trickles form a transparent curtain at the base, creating a charming scenery. Don’t miss the wonderful view of BeuÅŸniÅ£ei Waterfalls either, where the foamy trickles dress the green moss of the rocks. At ÅžuÅŸara the colorful butterflies are not intimidated by the noise of the water and cheerfully await the tourists.

Some of the most important attractions at the Nerei Gorges are Dracului Lake (The Devil’s Lake) and Ochiul Beiului, with their beautiful turquoise nuances in which the rich forests are reflected. If you plan a longer stay in the area, we recommend you visit a few accessible caves – the Pit Cave at Zbeg, Dubova, La Gauri Cave, and the mills at RudÓ‘ria, the biggest watermill complex in south-eastern Europe. Thrill-seekers can experience some adrenaline rafting on the Nera, but the place is suitable for mountain climbing, zip lining and cycloturism as well. The Nerei Gorges are the perfect destination both for those who want a relaxing holiday in a quiet corner of nature and for the adventurers who want to discover the beauties in Aninei Mountains.

The Danube Delta

The place where the river embraces the sea, the Danube Delta is an enigmatic labyrinth of canals, a tumultuous corner of heaven of overwhelming beauty. Along its four arms, the Danube takes you towards relaxing destinations and helps you charge your batteries.

To those who love natural sceneries, the Delta reveals wild places, lagoons, islets and sand banks where the birds nest in rush and reed and where the lilies float on the sparkle of the water. Those who want to visit attractions on land can make a layover at St. Atanasie’s skete, the only monastery in the Delta, or Halmyris, Enisala and Histria fortresses. The Lippovan villages are the genuine attractions of the area, with white and blue houses and garages where people keep their boats. The Lippovans are considered to be the greatest fishermen in the region, so don’t hesitate to find lodgings with one of the villagers and taste the appetizing fish dishes. If you want to idle your time in a chaise longue on the shore of the sea, we recommend the virgin beaches at Sulina, Sfantu Gheorghe and Gura Portitei, extremely quiet and with fine sand.

The Delta impels you to discover its secrets, enjoy its unique sunset sceneries and listen to its stories told by the fire. There is no agglomeration or hi tech here, only welcoming people, wild landscapes and a charming atmosphere. Feel the genuine relaxation on the beaches of the Danube Delta!

Piatra Craiului Mountains

The pearl of the Romanian Carpathians, Piatra Craiului Mountains are full of spectacular sceneries, seemingly taken out of fairy-tales. On the beaten tracks, the quiet and harmonious world of the rocks reveals itself in all its greatness. The agile chamois makes way among the jagged crests and monumental gorges open up to the view from between the rocky walls, so narrow that even the sunrays can’t pierce them properly. Dambovicioara Gorge and Cave, BrustureÅ£ului Gorges, the Bats’ Cave and ZÓ‘rneÅŸtilor Abysses, all of these are carst areas highly appreciated by exploring tourists, who are drawn by the adventure of hikes at the altitude. Cyclists choose the crest of the massif for challenging mountain bike routes, while the mountain climbers head for Padina Inchisa, Padina Popii and Crapaturii Valley.

Piatra Craiului is a mountain for experimented tourists who are in shape and well informed. You absolutely need an appropriate equipment and the will to discover the grandeur of nature. As reward you will find absolute quietness, fresh air, good camping areas and overwhelming views.

PadiÅŸ Plateau 

PadiÅŸ is an immense carst plateau margined by abrupt crests, with wild valleys, clear and insurgent waters, deep caves and amazing gorges. On the green background of the surrounding forests, the décor is absolutely fascinating. In this part of the Apuseni, nature has remained wild and unpredictable; the sharpness of the rocky walls most naturally joins the crude green of the meadows.

Extremely rich in carst formations, the plateau is full of attractions worth discovering. You shouldn’t miss Ponorului Fortress, made of tunnels, caves, cascades and suspended terraces, of surprising and towering shapes. Equally impressive are Ghetarul Focul Viu Cave, with its block of ice lit by the sun’s shiny reflections, RÓ‘desei Fortress, a grotto where the sunrays create unexpected optical effects, and the Bears’ Cave, full of unique stalactite and stalagmite formations.  Don’t forget to make a layover at the Lost World Plateau (Platoul Lumea PierdutÓ‘), a secular forest which hides a vast network of active galleries in the underground, allowing the exploration of the area. To admire nature’s unaltered beauty, you need appropriate equipment in PadiÅŸ, a raincoat and flashlight; the routes are challenging, the weather is pretty capricious, but the sceneries are worth all the effort.

If we have convinced you that Romania’s natural attractions are worth visiting, get your backpack ready and enjoy a wonderful adventure. When you come back, we will be waiting for your holiday impressions on our Facebook page.

[An article written by Andreea Bertea]