THE ROMANIAN CARPATHIANS

 The Carpathians are young mountain of an average height located in the very center of the country. Many of the Carpathian peaks exceed 2,000 meters and 13 of them have an altitude of over 2,500 meters reaching the highest altitude in the Fagarag Mountains (Moldoveanu Peak, 2,544 meters and Negoiu Peak, 2,535 meters).

At over 1,800 meters the long-lasting presence of glaciers formed a relief of particular beauty represented by peaks and valleys, separated by pointed tops, by ice crevices where the gathered water gave birth to lakes such as the lakes to be found in the Rodna, Fagaras, Retezat, Parang and Godeanu Mountains. In other places the mountain landscape is dominated by plateaus and rounded summits, moulded by rainfalls and the wind throughout the years.

In Bucegi, Ceahlau or Ciucas, nature has carved the limestone mountain crests creating sphinxes (the Sphinx and Babele in Bucegi), towers and columns (Ceahlau) and fragmented peaks (Toaca – Ceahlau, Tigaile – Ciucas). The volcanic mountain chain to the west of the Eastern Carpathians hosts plateaus with basalt columns and peaks from the former volcanic craters (Creasta Cocosului – Gutai, Calimani – Pietrele Rosii and Mosul).

The rivers (Bicaz, Ialomita, Cerna, Caras and Nera), building their way through the limestone mountains, have created deep valleys and special caves with stalactites, stalagmites and curtains. Many caves have been equipped for tourism. Power was installed and bridges, access ways and stairs were built, partly depriving them of their original beauty. Caves worth mentioning are Ialomita (Bucegi), Polovragi (Capatanii), Comarnic (Aninei), Meziad, Scarisoara, Cetatile Ponorului and Ursilor (Bihor Mountains). The Piatra Craiului Mountains is a special place, with a majestic limestone crest and steep slopes (over 800 meters).

In the lower regions, there are tourist objectives in 60 or even more towns while many mountain villages are located in the intra-Carpathian depressions of Maramures, Giurgeu, Ciuc, Brasov, Petrosani, Hateg, brad and Beius. The large rivers (Olt, Mures, Aries and Jiu) have created impressive narrow gorges and passes, the Danube’s strait begin the longest in Europe.

In the Carpathians the climate is cold at over 1,700 meters, the rainfalls are abundant (in Apuseni in particular) and the winds blow frequently, covering the mountains with a thick layer of snow for a long period of the year, ideal for winter sports.

Most of the rivers of the country have their source in the Carpathians and their valleys represent as many points of attraction. The lakes have different origins: glacier, volcanic (Sfanta Ana of Ciomatu Mountain), natural dams (Lacul Rosu – Red Lake, on the Bicaz River), anthropic and man made dams for hydroelectric purposes (Bistrita – Izvorul Muntelui, Ialomita, Olt, Lotru – Vidra, Raul Mare, Arges – Vidraru and Somesul Mic – Tarnita). Most lakes have been equipped with tourist facilities. 

 POIANA BRASOV
Also named Poiana Soarelui – the Sun Clearing, Poiana Brasov is located 13 kilometers from Brasov. With an average altitude of 1,030 meters, it is an internationally famous health resort. Postavaru Mountain is ideal for winter sports with 150 hectares of specific equipment and facilities, ski tracks of various degrees of difficulty, an artificial snow track provided with night lighting and a skating rink.  

Poiana Brasov has been also provided with a leisure park, a riding center, a telecabin, a teleski, and many restaurants with specific Romanian food: Coliba Haiducilor, Sura Dacilor, Vanatorul, Capra Neagra and Miorita Accommodation is available in villas, chalets, bungalows and hotels such as Alpin ***, Sport ***, Tirol ***, Bradul **, Caraiman **, Ciucas **, Piatra Mare **, Poiana ** and Soimul **.   Trips to the Postavaru and Piatra mare Mountains may be organized as well. A flower reservation named “Stejarisul mare” is to be found in the neighborhood while a cave named Pestera is located in the Fundata Valley.  


With the Bucegi Mountains, Prahova Valley is the most visited tourist area in the country thanks to its beauty, to the great number of available accommodations. Moreover it is also the starting point of many paths leading to the Bucegi, Piatra Mare, Postavaru and Baiului Mountains. Prahova Valley is situated in the immediate vicinity of such cities as Bucharest, Brasov and Ploiesti.  

 PREDEAL
Located on the Bucharest – Brasov DN1 national highway, Predeal is at the watershed between the Prahova River and the Timis River. At the foot of the Postavaru and Piatra Mare Mountains on the north, the Baiului Mountains to the south and south-east and the Bucegi on the south-east, Predeal has asserted itself as a well known mountain health, leisure and sports (winter sports in particular) resort. Tourism represents the most important activity of the town. The main features recommending this town for rest and leisure are the climate; the treatment of endocrine diseases, neurosis and asthenias; and the purity and ozonification of the air. The snow layer lasts about 175 days annually. The resort is provided with many winter sports facilities. Cable transportation is available by telechair (on Clabucet) and teleski.   A ski school carries out it activity on the Sub Teleferic track.  Many tourist routes to the chalets located in the Postavaru, Bucegi, Piatra Mare and Baiului Mountains start in Predeal.

The health resort of Timisu de Sus with its villas and a summer camp is just five kilometers from Predeal and Timisu de Jos, at the food of Piatra Mare Mountains with the Dambul Morii chalet is 12 kilometers away. Starting in Valea Rasnoavei, one may reach Paraul Rece, a youth resort provided with many facilities for tourists. In Predeal, there are many hotels (Orizont***, Cioplea**, Carmen**, Carpati**, Predeal**), villas and chalets.  

 SINAIA
Located on DN1, 42 kilometers from the city of Ploiesti at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains, Sinaia is one of the most important health resorts in the Carpathians. The natural assets that favour Sinaia are the special mountain landscape, the moderate climate, fresh air and mineral waters.

There are many ski trails in Valea lui Carp, Varful cu Dor, Cota 1400 (with a ski school) and Poiana Stanii.   In the part of the center of Sinaia there is an exhibition called “Bucegi Natural Reservation” which presents the fauna and flora in dioramas. Among the buildings of interest are Peles, Pelisor Castles and Cazino (1912).The resort is the starting point for trips to the Cumpatu Alder Tree Reservation and the Paduchiosu Paleontologic Reservation.  Accommodations are of various types: villas, chalets and hotels.