Retezat-Parang Mountains

GENERALITIES : One of the most interesting elements of the natural offer Romania has got refers to the mountainous area. This area is very diverse, both from the accessibility point of view and from the provided facilities or tourist development possibilities' point of view. The highest mountain range in Romania is the Fagaras, reaching 2545 m. elevation on Moldoveanu Peak, while the lowest range is the Macin, reaching 467 m. elevation in its highest point. In between there are very diverse mountains, from the hilly-like, round-shaped Capatanii or Suhard, to the sharp Piatra Craiului or the massive, rocky and lake-filled Retezat or Parang. These mountains provide the tourist with many resting or active holidays opportunities.

Retezat Mountains are a fantastic stone "fortress" with the highest average altitude of the Romanian Carpathians range (more than 60 peaks reaching an altitude of over 2,200m, culminating on the Peleaga, 2,509 m). But it is not only the height of the Retezat that impresses the visitor: here, the greatness of the glacial scenery is unique in the Romanian mountains, being adorned with the sparkling jewels of more than 80 glacial lakes. For all tourists, the Retezat are mountains of superlatives. The national park of Retezat represents the greatest complex scientific reserve in Romania and UNESCO has included it among the natural preserves of the Biosphere. The park has over 2,000 ha that include in their complex the glacial relief (many glacial structures, valleys and lakes), rare vegetal species (mountain orchid, edelweiss, wild nut tree), valuable animal species (chamois, deer, bear, lynx, wild boar and in the clear waters of the mountain lakes and rivers, the trout).

Parang Mountains are by no means inferior to the Retezat. The Parang even surpasses the heights of Peleaga of Retezat with 10 m, as Mandra Peak (or Parangu Mare) culminates at 2,519 m. Most of the glacial lakes are situated in the upper basin of Jiu. The ridge is more compact than the one in the Retezat, while especially the Eastern section is rarely beaten by tourists. Just like the Retezat, a full trek here involves camping as means of accommodation.