The Ceahlau National Park

Today we invite to join us on a tour of the Ceahlau National Park, found in the Ceahlau massif in northeastern Romania. The area is known for its unique variety of flaura and fauna but also for the numerous tourist routes which may be followed in a specia

Eugen Cojocariu, 26.04.2012, 15:57

Today we invite to join us on a tour of the Ceahlau National Park, found in the Ceahlau massif in northeastern Romania. The area is known for its unique variety of flaura and fauna but also for the numerous tourist routes which may be followed in a special picturesque background. Close by, there are a lot of resorts and a wide range of activities tourists can enjoy during their holidays. Ion Parvulescu — the head of the Administration Division of the Ceahlau National Park told us that almost one quarter of the 292 square meters of the Ceahlau massif is owned by the Ceahlau National Park. The most spectacular part of the mountain is in the central area whose special landscape was the result of a complex geological structure.

‘’The park is also known for its rich bio-diversity consisting of various species of plants and animals. The area provides easy access to tourists as compared to other mountain areas because it is situated at the junction of various roads linking Transylvania to Moldavia“

There are many routes which tourists can embark on, in order to learn more about local flora and fauna and do sports. There are easier or more difficult routes for beginners or more advanced hikers. Everybody is welcome to travel on the routes of the Ceahlau National Park. Ion Parvulescu talks about the first route which can take up to seven hours to complete.

‘’People who are fit can pick the longest route which starts in the northern part of Durau and goes down to the Mountain route. It then climbs up to the Fantanele Challet, to reach the sub alpine plateau under the Toaca Peak, the second largest height. It ends at the Dochia Chalet. That chalet is located at the highest altitude on the Ceahlau Mountain. The route goes down to the Nun Meadow and from there straight to the Mountain Spring. Tourists can indulge in the spectacular landscapes of the Ceahlau Mountain, with its rich biodiversity, and get a glimpse of the chamois, while climbing the mountain. This beautiful route crosses the mountain from north to south“

People wishing to make short trips in the surroundings can go to the Duruitoarea fall. Due to the water flow from the Ruptura brook and its tributaries, and water tumbling down from a height of about 100 m, the deafening roar of the fall can be heard from afar; hence the name the Roaring Fall. At the foot of the fall there is a wooden staircase which you can climb along a 30-m stretch to reach a platform dividing the waterfall into two different water columns. It takes about three hours to reach the waterfall.

There are three chalets on the massif; one of them stands at Izvorul Muntelui, at the entrance to the Ceahlau National Park. The other two are located within the park and are more accessible from the Durau resort. One of them is Fantanele, located at a 1220 m altitude, and the other one is Dochia, at 1700 m. If you don’t book accommodation, staff members can answer your queries about accommodation vacancies, routes and can give you maps. Ion Parvulescu again:

“Our administrative staffs are permanently in the park, particularly by its entrance gates, namely in Durau and Izvorul Muntelui. Tourists can get brochures, maps, various periodicals and books about the Ceahlau National Park. At the park entrance, tourists must pay a 5-lei fee, that is 1.15 Euros. The money is invested in the park infrastructure providing for an enjoyable trekking.”

Ion Parvulescu, head of division within the Ceahlau National Park Administration told us that foreign tourists have also visited the site:

”We’ve had a lot of foreign tourists from Argentina, Australia, and South Africa. There are also many European tourists, especially from Italy, France, Germany, the Czech Republic or Poland. Without bragging, we must tell you that they highly appreciate the beauty of the park and the way we put it to best use. We’re waiting for you to come to the Ceahlau National Park anytime. Obviously, it’s easier to visit in summer. There are days when 600-700 visitors enter the park in Durau. All of them are thrilled, the landscape is gorgeous, the air is clean and the beautiful flora is one of the park’s highlights. We expect you to come any time and we’re ready to provide you with necessary information.”

If we’ve convinced you to come over, we suggest you call your local travel agency, for appealing packages in the Ceahlau National Park area.