The Retezat Mountains

The rockiest mountain massif of the country on the western side of the Southern Carpathians. First National Park in Romania (1935) covering some 13,000 hectares, unique by its one hundred permanent and temporary glacial lakes and over three hundred flower species (a genetic center unique in the world). Access: the town of Hateg.

This is one of the most spectacular massifs of the Romanian Carpathian mountains. The highest peak, Peleaga, is 2,509 meters high. More than 80 glacial lakes spot the area, including Bucura, Zanoaga, Taul Negru, Galesul.

It was in 1935 that the Retezat National Park was established over an area of 13,000 hectares. The area has expanded to 54,400 hectares today. The space is declared a reservation of the Biosphere. The plants are represented by 300 species (out of which 14 are endemic) and the fauna, rich also, has between black goats remarkable individuals which ask for protection measures.

The Apuseni Mountains

Generic name of the Carpathians on the western side of the country. Future National Park: underground glaciers, more than twenty falls. cataracts, some 40 shaft pits and avens, 15 gorges and narrow passes, fossil deposits, botanical and dendrological reservations. Access: the towns of Campeni and Abrud.

The Ceahlau Massif

Solitary in the Eastern Carpathians, surrounded by water courses and dam lakes. Complex reservation (some 4,000 hectares), 2,000 flower species (a quarter of the country's anthophyite flora), rare fauna, fossil limestone, the Duruitoarea falls. Access: the Durau health and winter sports resort.

This massif, part of the Eastern Carpathians, is considered a sacred mountain. It is said that it used to be the home of Zamolxe, the God of Dacs, the ancestors of Romanian people. The summit of Ceahlau is named Toaca (1904 m). In 1971, an area of 17,200 ha in these mountains was declared a National Park. Many rare plants and animals are found here, as well as interesting rock formations (Dochia, Cusma Dorobantului, etc.), giving rise to exciting legends. Among the plants - the Lion foot, Papucul Doamnei - Lady's shoe (Cypripedium calceolus), Sangele voinicului - Warrior's blood (Nigritella rubra), the Buffalo - Zimbrul (Larix decidua). The animal world includes such rarities as the cliff butterfly (a bird that could be found also in Cheile Sugaului and in Cheile Bicazului), the aquila (Aquila chrysaeltus) and the cocosul de munte - mountain cock. The deer, the black goat and the bear are also around. Ciucas and Apuseni.

The Bucegi Mountains

On the eastern side of the Southern Carpathians, traditional area of Romanian tourism. Reservations Arinisul, Sf.Ana, the Steep Caraiman (some 7,000 hectares): the Bucegi Plateau (Babele, Sfinx), narrow passes, karst formations, endemic flora, protected fauna. Access: towns and resorts of Sinaia and Busteni.

The Pietrosul Mare Massif

Part of the Rodna Mountains, on the north-western side of the Eastern Carpathians. Natural reservation covering some 5,900 hectares (scientific reservation, 750 hectares) with rare species of flora and fauna, basins and glacial lakes. Access: the town of Borsa.

The Penteleu Mountain

A representative massif of the curvature area of the Carpathians - rich alpine pastures, varied and vigorous forest species, especially in the Milea-Viforata reservations. Access: the Gura Teghirii commune (Buzau).

The Domogled Mountains

Located on the western side of the Southern Carpathians, overlooking the town and spa of Baile Herculane on the Cerna valley The first forest reservation in the country (1932): rare forest, less know butterflies, cavern fauna: corned vipers and turtles. Future National Park (some 6,000 hectares). Access: the town of Baile Herculane.

The Iron Gates

Hydro-power station and sailing area bearing the same name, opened in 1972 on the Danube. Future National Park to include reservations of Mediterranean flora (the Iron Gates, Gura Vaii-Varciorova, Cazanele Dunarii, Triculi, Valea Mare), fossil areas (Bahna-Varciorova, Svinita), caves and caverns partly inhabited by the prehistoric man. Access: towns of Drobeta-Turnu Severin and Orsova.