How to Visit the 10 Best National Parks in Romania [2023] (2023)

Romania has no less than 30 national parks with acres and acres of old-growth forest treasures waiting for you to explore during your trip to Romania.

Romania’s national parks are all on the UNESCO World Heritage site list or in the UNESCO “Man and Biosphere” program and are some of the most astonishing European national parks, known for their wilderness, secular forests and rich wildlife.

No wonder Romania has been called Europe’s last wilderness reserve and there are 3 documentaries that show breathtaking natural landscapes and the many animals species that live in our country:
•Untamed Romania
•Wild Romania
•Wild Carpathia

So in this article we’re going to highlight the most beautiful national parks in Romania, how to visit them and prepare for your trip.

Be sure to check our guide on how to visit Romania for the first time for more practical info on that.

National parks vs natural parks in Romania: what’s the difference?

As you read about Romania’s natural attractions, you may come across two terminologies:

1. natural parks (e.g. Bucegi Natural Park, Apuseni Natural Park)
2. national parks (e.g. Retezat National Park, Piatra Craiului National Park)

Few countries distinguish between parks and natural areas in this way, which is mainly an administrative issue, so what’s the difference?

• What is a national park in Romania?

A national park is a protected area on a large piece of land within well-defined legal borders. They are known for their exceptionally and recognized for their

Two important aspects are that the land must be owned by the state and that the park is a mountainous region.

There are 14 national parks in Romania and the most popular ones are:

1. Piatra Craiului
2. Retezat National Park
3. Nera Gorge (Cheile Nerei)
4. the Danube Delta with Letea Forest (the oldest natural reserve in Romania)
5. Călimani National Park,
6. and Cheile Bicazului (Bicaz Gorges).

• What is a natural park in Romania?

A natural park is a slightly smaller yet similarly well-defined protected land area with impressive natural, historical, and cultural traits. Conservation and durable development play an important role here.

Locals are allowed to live off the land here and exploit it for subsistence as long as they don’t damage or alter the ecosystem. Human activity is very well-regulated, but it needs to fit in well with the natural setting they are part of.

There are 16 natural parks in Romania and the most popular ones are:

1. Bucegi
2. Apuseni
3. Văcărești Delta in Bucharest
4. Porțile de Fier (Iron Gates) on the Danube River
5. the Mehedinți Plateau

So in fact… there’s no major difference between them other than for administrative and legal purposes.

But for outdoor enthusiasts passionate about hiking, nature, wildlife, conservation and good times in nature – they’re the same!

That’s why in this article we’re going to ignore this distinction and include both on our list of the ten best national parks to visit in Romania.

Of the 30 parks we used several criteria – other than the beauty of their nautral landscapes – on a scale 1-10 (highest positive rating) to decide which ones to include and make it easier for you to decide which ones to visit:

1. tourist attractions which includes natural attractions of any kind, things to do and hiking trails
2. biodiversity based on the number of plant and animal species that can be found here (of all types, shapes and sizes)
3. accessibility which refers to how convenient it is to get there (by public transport or car), accommodation options in the area, tourist info points and ease of visiting the park

As you will see, most national parks in Romania have lots of tourist attractions, have moderate biodiversity but, unfortunately, score very low on accessibility.

Two main reasons for that. First, Romania’s tourist potential (including cultural heritage and historic attractions) is severely underdeveloped and underfunded, which is why our country has very few tourist numbers compared to Bulgaria or Hungary, despite having much more to offer.

Second, public transport in Romania (roads in rural areas or mountainous region and connections through train and busses) is, once again, severely underdeveloped and a constant complaint against our politicians. So renting a car or going with a hiking guide who knows the roads well is your best choice.

But if you have any questions, want to customize one of our hiking tours or need help with planning your trip, don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re happy to help!

1. Bucegi Natural Park

Bucegi Natural park is probably one of the most popular tourist attractions in Romania and one of the most beautiful national parks. Rating:

1. tourist attractions: 9
2. biodiversity: 4
3. accessibility: 8

• Location: Located in South-Central Romania, North of Bucharest and South of Brasov; easily accessible by cable car from Sinaia or Busteni, or on hiking trails from Bran, Moeciu and Fundata villages on the Western side of the massif

The protected area partly overlaps with Bucegi Mountains (check our full guide for more info) and has a size of 32,500 hectares.

It has an impressive geological profile with a large variety of natural rock formations such as The Old Ladies (Babele) or the popular Romanian Sphinx. Because there are many folk legends about both of these and they’re easily accessible by cable car, Bucegi Mountains is a popular hiking destination from Bucharest.

There are many caves, keys, gorges, waterfalls and hiking trails of varying altitudes and difficulty levels going from 800 to 2,500 meters.

Most of the trails are well signaled, and unless you travel under difficult weather conditions, too late or too early in the day, many other people will likely be hiking in this natural area.

The most popular trail is Jepii Mari, a 3–4-hour hike to the Bucegi plateau, where you can see the rock formations and recharge at the gaze of some of the most amazing landscapes. On a sunny weather day you can see Prahova Valley below.

The highest peak is called Omu and it reaches an altitude of 2,505m which is accessible for medium experienced hikers and people with an average physical condition.

Another popular hiking trip is to hike across Bucegi Mountains from East to West, going from Prahova Valley and descending into Rucar-Bran valley on the other side through Strunga Saddle, a popular and challenging route.

The Bucegi Natural Park is a sanctuary for several animals and plant species. The brown bear and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) are quite numerous here.

• Warning: bears are a frequent sighting in the area. That’s why we highly recommend going with a that knows what to do in unexpected encounters and is equipped with pepper spray.

At the base of Bucegi Mountains on the Bucharest – Brașov route you’ll find some of the most famous mountain resorts in Romania such as Bușteni, Sinaia and Predeal. These are also the most popular ski resorts in Romania where you’ll find cable cars and gondolas up to Bucegi plateau.

These resorts have accommodations for all types of budgets, are accessible by car or by train (there is a train station in every resort) and they’re packed with restaurants and stores filled with anything a tourist might need, including mountain equipment and clothes for various weather conditions.

2. Piatra Craiului National Park

Unmistakable thanks to its limestone ridge, in my opinion this is the most beautiful national park in Romania and a must for outdoor enthusiasts. Rating:

1. tourist attractions: 9
2. biodiversity: 10
3. accessibility: 6

• Location: Piatra Craiului National Park is in the center of the country, close to Brasov. With a size of 14,766 hectares it has two official natural sites with strict access conditions. You have access points from the town of Zarnesti and Podul Dambovitei.

This is probably the best place to go hiking in Romania as there are trails suitable for anyone, no matter your physical fitness, hiking experience or interests. Trails range from 800m to 2,236m, go through forests, meadows, picturesque villages, valleys and all the way up to the crest.

Natural attractions to visit here: Zarnesti Gorges (basically the entry point into the park), Bat caves, picturesque mountain villages (Măgura, Peștera, Sirnea, Ciocanu), the many rock formations and the spectacular limestone ridge.

With its unique scenery and impressive ridge, Piatra Craiului attracts hikers from all over the country and the world. The most popular hiking trails go through Zarnesti Gorges and lead to Curmătura Chalet (the only cabin in the high mountains).

The highest peak is called La Om or Piscul Baciului and reaches 2,236m. Getting to the limestone ridge is a worthwhile objective and crossing it needs one full day and will be a real mountaineering adventure since it’s 25km long!

That’s why the trail suitable only for experienced hikers not afraid of technical sections and hiking on rock paths. But being on the highest limestone ridge in the country, surrounded by the vast empty skies with breathtaking views is quite an experience!

Piatra Craiului National Park is also known for its huge flora and fauna biodiversity. Numerous plant species and wild flowers, over 200 mushrooms, beautiful butterflies and a large number of small animals and species of birds will keep you company during your hike. You may also spot red deer, chamois or a brown bear!

• Local tip: a good idea if you want to admire nature in its prime is is to take Șaua Joaca trail in Spring when it is filled with crocus flowers.

You can get to Piatra Craiului by traveling from Bucharest, Brasov or Sibiu. There are numerous mountain villages in the area with plenty of guesthouses, the most notable being Magura and Pestera which are an ideal place to experience traditional Romanian rural life. But without a car these are difficult to access and locals don’t speak English.

On the other side on the Western side of Bucegi Mountains is Bran, another popular resort in the area also home to Bran Castle. Then there are the villages of Moeciu and Fundata. Here you’ll find lots of accommodation options ranging from hotels, villas, apartments, B&Bs and numerous restaurants and shops. These are quite touristy, crowded and tacky for our taste, but sometimes more convenient.

3. The Retezat National Park

With its combination of rocky scenery, thick forest areas (the park is home to the last virgin forest in Europe) and many glacial lakes, Retezat Mountains are a unique combination of wild, least accessible and pristine beauty. A mountaineer’s paradise!

1. tourist attractions: 5
2. biodiversity: 8
3. accessibility: 2

• Location: The oldest national park in Romania with a size of 38.138 hectares is situated in the Southwestern region of the country, in Hunedoara County and is part of the Southern Carpathians.

Due to its spectacular beauty, raw wilderness and close to 0 human intervention (and life), the park is known as one of Romania’s natural wonders and one of the important protected areas in our country.

Because they’re so inaccessible they haven’t been subjected to illegal logging yet so most of its old-growth forest is well reserved.

The highest peak in Retezat Mountains is Peleaga at 2,505 meters and its summit offers spectacular views. You can reach the summit in a one day hiking trip from Timisoara if you’ve got an above average physical condition and decent hiking experience.

Retezat National Park is also home to many glacial lakes and the lakes circuit hiking trail is very popular for this reason. It also includes Bucura Lake, the largest in Romania boasting a serene view you won’t want to let go of!

Another reason why this is one of Romania’s most important protected areas is because it’s the home to many wild animals – up to 55 species of mammals and over 100 bird species! There is probably no better place – and dangerous! - to go hiking and run into wild animals such as brown bears, wolves (Canis lupus), wild boar, red deer, lynxes and the golden eagle.

Unfortunately, Retezat National Park one of the least accessible in the country. The closest city nearby is Timisoara and there are hiking day trips you can do from here. The most popular access point is from the small town of Calnic close in the North of the park, in the Hateg region.

There are surrounding the park, mostly B&Bs in small villages accessible only by cars. And in the park itself there’s no place to stay! So this is the perfect place for a camping expedition – and your only option - if you want to do multi-day trails like the lakes circuit.

H. 4. Cheile Nerei – Beușnița National Park

No mountains here – except for the longest gorges in the country, 22 km to be precise! In this protected area you’ll discover a natural oasis like nowhere else.

1. tourist attractions: 6
2. biodiversity: 8
3. accessibility: 3

• Location: In the South-Western part of the country in Caraș Severin county, in the mountainous region of the Anina mountains.

With a size of 36,758 hectares and high altitudes of 500 meters, the Nera Gorges are the main attraction of this national park.

The deeper you go into the gorges, the wilder it becomes and you have a chance of coming across horned vipers (especially during Spring), scorpions, or even lynxes. The more touristy areas of the protected area are ideal for mountain biking, rappelling, speleology, canyoning, rafting, zip-lining and even horseback riding if you’re experienced enough.

Another popular tourist attraction close to this nature reserve is Ochiul Beiului lake sometimes called Devil’s Eye due to its unusual green-ish colour. The best time to see the lake is during Spring and Autumn when the nearby rivers fill it up.

You can visit this area on a day trip from Timisoara, the closest major city. If you want to spend more time here then you can look for accommodation in the town of Orșova, the closest one which can also be reached by train and bus.

5. Ceahlau National Park

The Ceahlau ecosystem is typical of the Carpathian mountains with wonderfully old-growth forests, high alpine pastures with juniper trees and natural monuments.

1. tourist attractions: 6
2. biodiversity: 6
3. accessibility: 5

• Location: In the Northeast of the country, in Neamț County (Moldova region), in the Eastern Carpathian range.

Though smaller in size compared to the other parks in a mountainous region with a little over 7000 hectares, this is the perfect place for when you want to get lost in nature bosom and just be with your thoughts, relax and reconnect.

It is home to the same animal species that inhabit the rest of the Carpathian mountains, like lynxes, wolves, red deer and the typical brown bear (Ursus Arctos).

The highest massif in the park is Toaca Peak at 1904 meters, while Ocolașu Mare is the highest limestone ridge in Ceahlău mountains at 1,907 meters. There are 8 main marked trails here and to get in this protected area you need to pay a small tax to the park administration.

The park rangers are known to be very helpful and can give you good advice about the area, trails and terrain conditions.

One of the most popular trails will take you up to Fântânele Cabin and then Dochia Cabin and descend by Duruitoarea Waterfall. Making the trip the other way around is grueling but this is something only a hiking guide or the park ranger can tell you.

Other than hiking, popular tourist attractions nearby include the spectacular Bicaz Gorges which are also accessible by car and the Red Lake.

The typical starting point for most trails is in the mountain resort of Durău which is unfortunately accessible only by car. The closest nearby city is Piatra Neamt but I’m not sure if there’s any bus that will take you there. A custom hiking trip from Brasov is your best choice.

6. Domogled - Valea Cernei National Park

Location: in the Southern Carpathians, part of the Retezat Godeanu mountain range, and in the Southwestern part of Romania, close to the Serbian border.
Size: 61,211 hectares
Description of the park: Tourists can see caves, sinkholes, waterfalls (Vânturatoarea waterfall is the most impressive), pit caves, they can hike up the Moraru peak at 2279 meters altitude of the Retezat Mountains. There is also the Cerna River and the river basin, giving the park a variety of natural wonders, and the perfect habitats for different species of vegetation and animals, wild boar, wolves, red deer, and lynxes among them, and making it worth the visit all year round.
Other activities the area is known for are extreme sports such as river rafting and traversing via ferrata, a challenging route for rock climbing, done with the help of cables and rungs.
Closest city and most popular tours: Timișoara is only 2-3 hours away, and it is a beautiful city to visit. It has its own airport, train station, and it is well connected to some of the most famous tourist attractions in the area.

7. The Rodnei National Park

Location: In the Northern part of the country, in Bistrița Năsăud county, situated in the Eastern Carpathians
Size: 46,599 hectares
Description of the park: Pietrosu Peak is the tallest one in the park, situated at 2,303 meters altitude, but there are up to 19 trails in the area. Natural features of the park include caves, crevasses, forests, valleys, mountain springs, and moraines. People going up to Peak Ineu could also visit Lake Lala, one of the largest glacial lakes in the area.

The wilder and further trails you plan on taking may lead to encounters with some of the famous wildlife predators like brown bears, wild boars, gray wolves, lynx, and eagles. Wildlife sightings include badgers, chamois, roedeer, and wild boars (Sus scrofa).

Among the most popular activities, we have horseback riding, cycling, and hiking, all used to explore the splendor of this part of the Carpathian mountains.

Closest city and most popular tours: The Rodna National Park is close to the Borșa Baths in Maramureș County and to the Sângeorz Baths in Bistrița Năsăud County. Both of them are top-rated and comfortable resorts. And since you are in the area, we strongly recommend visiting Maramureș.

8. Builă-Vânturărița

Location: Situated in the central-northern part of Vâlcea County, in the center of the country, in the Căpățânii Mountains of the Parâng Massif.

Size: 4186 hectares – the smallest national park in Romania

Description of the park: The highest peak is at Vânturărița Mare at 1885 meters altitude. It is a habitat for several species of large carnivores, such as brown bears, wolves, and lynxes, living alongside other animals and an impressive number of species of birds.

Tourists can opt for no less than 19 trails. Some will take them to the Trovants, a sight unique in the world, meaning the “rocks that grow. If you are into rock climbing, you have five climbing areas with up to 150 options making them the best places to do this, mainly in the Olănești Gorges, the Cheii Gorges, and Bistrița Gorges.

Closest city and most popular tours: The Park is situated in the vicinity of the Olănești Baths and Horezu in Râmnicu Valcea, resorts known for their ties with rural tourism and exquisite items like pots, blouses, and rugs, among other things done by skilled artisans. The closest large city is Râmnicu Valcea, where you can find beautiful and fancy hotels and anything you need to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

9 Porțile de Fier

Location: In the southwestern part of Romania, along the Danube, at the state border with Serbia.

Size: 115,666-hectare

Description of the park: the Iron Gates National Park is unique as it hosts the longest gorge in Europe, the Danube gorge, of 134 km. The area is very diverse as hectares of forests cover half of it, there is the Danube, and the southern part of the Locvei and Almajului mountains. The climate is Mediterranean-like, home to thousands of animals and plant species. Some of the most popular activities in the area are hiking, cruising on the Danube River, fishing, hunting, canoeing, biking, bird watching, and hunting.

Closest city and most popular tours: The Iron Gates National Park is at the crossroads of two Romanian regions, Oltenia and Banat. It can be accessed from Caraș Severin and Mehedinți, but the closest city is Orșova.

10. Calimani National Park

Location: Located on the Northern side of the Eastern Carpathians, the Calimani mountains and the national park can be accessed through the Counties of Bistrița, Mureș, and Suceava.

Size: 24, 566 hectares

Description of the park: Wondering what it would feel like walking in the traces of a volcano. Then visit the Calimani National Park (Parcul National Calimani). The Pietrosu Călimani is the highest peak in the Călimani Mountains and is the highest massif in the Romanian volcanic chain, standing at an elevation of 2100 meters. Apart from massive eruptive rocks, due to the natural erosion process in the volcanic plateau, you can now visit the 12 Apostles (Cei 12 Apostoli), Red Stones (Pietrele Roșii), and the Nefertiti geological reserves. But the volcanic scenery is not the only thing about Călimani that makes the area breathtaking. There is also the Tihu waterfall or the Retitiș peak, from which you can see the Ceahlău mountains, and, on a clear day, you can see as far as the Făgăraș Mountains.

Bonus: Danube Delta

Location: Southeastern part of Romania, in Tulcea County

Size: 679,000 hectares – making it the largest national park in Romania

Description of the park: The Delta is a natural celebration of the Danube River flowing into the Black Sea. In doing so, it creates a unique ecosystem; the Danube Delta is the second largest delta in Europe, and it is made up of lakes, dunes, coasts, lagoons, reed beds, unaltered rivers, steppes, marshes, and climax forests. Over 300 bird species and 45 freshwater fish have their natural habitats here, most protected by law as many are endangered species.

Tourists in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve can visit, fish, relax, go bird watching and canoeing, sunbathe, and find balance in a natural setting.

Closest city and most popular tours: The closest city in the Delta is Tulcea. But you can find accommodation in a variety of resorts and small villages as most of the people in the Delta live off fishing and tourism.