Romania's "geographical perfection" means nothing more than the simple fact that the country contains the entire range of landscape to suit any tourist's idea of 'the great outdoors". Between the seaside and the fairly high mountains, one can visit hills, plains, as well as different quirks of nature, such as speleothem caves, breathtaking gorges, and massive rocks polished to unusual shapes by the wind. Here is a selection of places to visit for those who enjoy the fresh air of the mountains.
The Eastern and Southern Carpathians
The mountain chains ranging through the middle of the country provide tourists, as well as amateur or professional climbers, a multitude of places to visit.
Some impressive landmarks in the eastern chain:
- the Caliman (Kelemen) Mountains, with the Pietros peak, 2100m high, and a large number of hot and cold springs;
- Colibita lake, near the town of Bistrita, a reservoir with amazing landscape, in a valley packed with pine and other trees, a rare instance of unspoiled natural beauty;
- Bicaz (Békás), containing the Red Lake on one end, and the Izvorul Muntelui (Mountain Spring) Lake on the other;
- Lake St Ana (Sfanta Ana/ Szent Anna) , a volcanic lake between Balvanyos and the thermal resort of Tusnad. Three attractions within a few miles. The volcanic lake, thermal baths, and mineral water springs and spas along with sulfur- and hydrogen- emanating caves, and all these strewn across miles of scenic mountainside landscape.
The attractions of the southern chain include:
- the highest peaks in Romania (Moldoveanu - 2544m, Omu - 2505m; Negoiu - 2535m)
- the Transfagarasan, a serpentine road across the Fagaras Mountains peaking above 2000m high, at the Balea Lake; the road passes the Vidraru reservoir lake and dam;
- the valley of the river Olt, another scenic pass, parallel with the Transfagarasan; the sight is mainly "river on one side, cliffs one the other", while crossing bridges and viaducts here and there;
- the Babele (Old Women) and Sfinx (Sphinx) formations in the Bucegi Mountains, interesting rock formations named after the shape they have acquired due to erosion.
The Western Carpathians
Considerably lower than the Eastern and Southern chains, these groups of mountains will delight visitors with some more unusual elements, mainly caves and gorges.
- The Turda Gorge (Cheile Turzii) is a canyon just outside the town of Turda, not far from Cluj-Napoca. In addition to its ravishing landscape, it offers a chance for mountain climbing events and adventures through its almost 3000 meter long and, in some places, around 300 meter high cliff sides. Those not keen on steep slopes can take the long way up and choose from a number of hiking paths, and the really lazy of us can just take a stroll right through the canyon and admire the cliffs and the caves in them, amidst the over a thousand different species of plants and animals, some of which, sadly, can not be found anywhere else anymore.
- In the town of Turda, we can visit a salt mine, which has been out of use since 1932, but the earliest records of salt extraction here date back to before the Roman period (before 106 BC). The most salt was extracted during the Austro-Hungarian period (19th century) and the guided tour offers explanations on how certain tools (which are exhibited at the place where they were used) worked a over century ago.
- The Bears' Cave (Pestera Ursilor), in the Chiscau area (Bihor county) offers the unique experience of a speleothem cave strewn with corpses of a species of bears which allegedly went extinct thousands of years ago (hence the name). A rock supposedly sealed off the cave, locking over a hundred bears inside, which ended up killing each other and eventually starving to death. Since then, tonnes of stalagmites and stalactites have built up inside. The guided tour reveals even more interesting bits.
- The Scarisoara Glacier (Alba county) is one of the oldest and largest underground glaciers in Europe. While descending the stairs to the entrance of the cave, around 50 meters under ground level, we find a small place, practically like a hole in the ground, which has completely different climate, and therefore vegetation, than its surroundings. Once inside the cave, we can see the solid block of ice which has not melted in about 4000 years. Unfortunately, recently, the ice has begun to melt inch by inch every summer, and it gets extra coats every winter.
A person who has seen all these, can boast with having seen about one fifth of what Romania has to offer. Its natural variety includes most of the other landforms, while those looking for an intellectual and cultural ride can choose from several towns and cities telling the stories of centuries of history.
Noemi Csiki - Noemi Csiki teaches English and writes non-fiction and short fiction. She has experience in proofreading and an interest in language ...
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