Rodna Mountains National Park

Located in northern Romania, on the border between Maramureș and Bistrița-Năsăud counties, the Rodna Mountains National Park is the largest protected area in the Eastern Carpathians.

Daniel Onea, 09.10.2025, 14:00

Located in northern Romania, on the border between Maramureș and Bistrița-Năsăud counties, the Rodna Mountains National Park is the largest protected area in the Eastern Carpathians. The impressive massif, with sharp alpine ridges, shelters wild landscapes of rare beauty, being a true geological and biological open-air museum. To better understand the complexity and charm of this area, we spoke with Mihaela Poll, the director of the Rodna Mountains National Park Administration. And, for starters, it is essential to outline the map of this vast territory and understand its unique administrative structure, a key factor that shapes the relationship between man and nature.

Mihaela Poll: “Welcome to our corner of heaven, where the map hangs on the nail: Rodna Mountains National Park. We are one of the northernmost national parks in Romania and, in addition to this status, we are also a biosphere reserve, after the Danube Delta. The park covers an area of ​​over 54,000 hectares, on the territory of two counties: 80% in Bistrița-Năsăud and 20% in Maramureș. We have an atypical peculiarity: the Romanian state owns a very small area, most of the property belonging to the over 24 communes, along with 12 forestry districts, which administer the forestry fund.”

Beyond the administrative data, the true wealth of the park is its exceptional biodiversity. Here, you will witness the unfolding of wildlife that is hard to match. Complete ecosystems shelter a fascinating world, from the most delicate flowers to the large mammals of the Carpathians.

Mihaela Poll: “The park boasts a special natural wealth, both in terms of flora and fauna. Complete ecosystems can be found here, from the smallest insects to large predators such as the bear, wolf and lynx. Up on the ridges, families of marmots and over 250 chamois can be admired. In spring and summer, the landscape is adorned by a glade of daffodils and rhododendron carpets. A real treasure is the endemic plant, unique in the world, called the Rodna Mountains Silene nivalis, a flowering plant, a species of eudicot in the pink family. All of this, together with the extensive deciduous and coniferous forests, make up an extraordinary landscape.”

To facilitate the exploration of these natural treasures in a structured way, a series of special routes have been created, designed to guide visitors to the most spectacular points of interest. Mihaela Poll, the director of the Rodna Mountains National Park Administration, describes how these routes can be identified and gives us some examples: “One of the most popular thematic trails, especially in May, is the one that leads to Poiana cu Narcise (the Daffodils Glade), our white paradise, located at 1,600 meters above sea level. These trails are marked with a specific symbol – a little orange man with a backpack on his back – and provide information about the habitats in the area along the way. Another popular trail is the one to Cascada Cailor (Horses Falls), accessible from the Borșa resort, and equally the one on Cormaia Valley, where special waterfalls can be admired. For cycling enthusiasts, there are dedicated routes that climb up to Vârful Omul (Omul Peak) in the Suhard Mountains. Regardless of your choice, these trails are an excellent way to discover the beauties of the park in an organized and educational way.”

This vibrant nature is not a world separate from humans, but, on the contrary, it is deeply intertwined with the life of local communities. In the Rodna Mountains, traditions are not mere memories, but an active way of life, passed down from generation to generation and visible at every step.

Mihaela Poll: “Community is very important in the Rodna Mountains National Park, where there are over 110 active sheepfolds. Here, transhumance has been preserved for over a hundred years, with people continuing to take their animals up the mountain every year. In every commune bordering the park you will find dedicated folk craftsmen, as every village has its own craftsman. Traditions cover a wide range of crafts, from the creation of folk costumes and of peacock feather hats, to cooperage, woodworking or the construction of houses and the famous monasteries of Maramures.”

Local culture is best discovered through the hospitality of the people, and an essential part of this experience is, without a doubt, the gastronomy, which we learn about from our guide, Mihaela Poll, the director of the Rodna Mountains National Park Administration. The authentic tastes of the area perfectly complete the picture of a visit: “There are numerous gastronomic points. Those who cross our threshold are greeted with a glass of horinca (plum brandy) and also with traditional dishes. The fact is that, from us, no one leaves hungry, whether they come from the country or from abroad. A special experience is the meal at one of the mountain sheepfolds, where visitors can taste an authentic balmoș (a polenta boiled in milk or whey, to which cheese and butter are added) which is prepared by the shepherds. There are also pedagogical sheepfolds, where tourists can see how cheese is made and learn about pastoral life.”

Such a tourism offer, based on nature and authenticity, attracts visitors from all over the world. In a time when safety has become an essential criterion in choosing a destination, the direct testimony of a tourist carries special weight and confirms the efforts of the administration to provide a safe and welcoming experience: “I met a family of tourists from England who were particularly delighted. They told me: <You have an extraordinary landscape, with extraordinary people. We stopped and ate at the sheepfold and, even though we were warned about the dogs, we had no problem. We felt safe, because we met both rangers and mountain police on the trail.> This feeling of safety is essential for us. I can say that today, unlike in previous years, in the Rodna Mountains National Park you can travel in peace and complete safety.”

In conclusion, the Rodna Mountains National Park reveals itself as a complete destination. It is a place where the beauty of the landscape, the cultural richness and the sense of safety combine to create a memorable experience. So we extend to you an open invitation, valid in any season, to discover the authentic Romania. (LS)