Retezat National Park in Romania
The Retezat National Park is the first protected natural area in Romania and home to one of the few remaining primeval forests in Europe. The Retezat Massif is also part of the park and, as an important eco-region, plays a major role in preserving biodiversity. The national park and the entire mountain range are under nature protection. In addition, there are two further protected areas within the park: the scientific reserve Gemenele (the Twins) and the Zeicului Cave Nature Reserve.
To enter the national park, you need an admission ticket. This can be purchased at the visitor centers in Nucșoara and Ostrovel (at the entrance to Râu de Mori), at the Cascada Hut, at the entrance to Gura Apei, as well as at the Pietrele information center, the mountain rescue station in Buta, or directly from on-duty APNR staff within the park.
The Land of the Blue Eyes
Due to the more than 80 lakes discovered throughout the park, the Retezat Massif is also known as “the land of the blue eyes”. The glacial lakes are breathtaking to behold, with rocky ridges reflected in their clear waters. The lakes are connected by numerous hiking trails of medium to high difficulty and are well signposted.
Although all lakes are worth visiting, you should plan to see at least one of the following three: the country’s largest glacial lake Bucura, the deepest glacial lake Zănoaga, and Romania’s highest-altitude glacial lake Tăul Porții.
Flora and Fauna
More than one third of Romania’s flora can be found in the Retezat Mountains. Large parts of the forests remain untouched, and many animal and plant species occur exclusively here, including several subspecies of butterflies.
The alpine flora is particularly diverse: high-altitude meadows, extensive beech, spruce, and fir forests, as well as birch and rowan trees as pioneer species shape the landscape. Pine trees dominate at subalpine elevations.
The park is an important bird protection area with more than 120 different bird species. A large part of the park belongs to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, while additional areas are designated as European wilderness protection zones. Wildlife here includes brown bears, wolves, lynx, wildcats, red deer, roe deer, wild boar, as well as chamois and Alpine marmots at higher altitudes.
Hiking
The marked hiking trails in Retezat National Park cover a total length of 516 kilometers and offer great variety. You can explore the park even without a professional mountain guide.
Many routes take several hours and require a realistic self-assessment. Unpredictable weather and the large brown bear population make extra caution necessary. Therefore, stay on the official trails and use only designated camping areas.
Make sure you have suitable equipment, sturdy footwear, and sufficient drinking water. At the beginning, choose shorter routes to familiarize yourself with the terrain.
Getting There
The national park is located in the high mountains of the Southern Carpathians in western Romania and is best reached by private vehicle or rental car. Alternatively, there is a train connection to Hațeg, a small town on the edge of the reserve.
Hațeg is well suited as a starting point for last-minute shopping or restaurant visits. In addition to camping, overnight stays are also possible in simple mountain huts or guesthouses at the edge of the park.
The DMC Team Wishes You a Pleasant Journey
The Retezat National Park is definitely worth a visit. Enjoy the impressive natural landscapes and wildlife, discover the fascinating glacial lakes, and leave everyday life behind. We wish you a pleasant trip to Romania and lots of enjoyment on your road trip. You can find more information about tolls in Romania in our guide. Feel free to use our route planner to optimally plan your journey. If you have any questions, we are always happy to assist you via email.
