Suhard-Rodna 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.

The Rodna and the Suhard make probably the best mountain combination in the country, given their diversity and multiple holiday opportunities. While the Rodna is the highest mountain in Eastern Carpathians (reaching 2303 m. alt. on Pietrosul Rodnei Peak), and its ridge is sometimes quite sharp and rocky, the Suhard is not as high (1932 m.alt.) and its ridge is generally round, grassy and there is an intense pastoral life with many sheepfolds all around. The whole ridge of these mountains, from Setref Pass all the way to Vatra Dornei Resort, measure over 90 km.

The temperature varies widely between an average of -9°C in winter (the coldest months being January and February) to an average of +15°C in summer time. Most of the rains fall in summer (May-August), leaving the autumn with very good conditions for hiking, even if that means a bit colder days. There are around 150 days when the snow lasts on the ground, with differences depending on the elevation. The wind blows generally from the North-West. There are a few lakes in these mountains, of which we can list here Icoana Lake of Suhard (1500 m.alt.), Lala Lake of Rodna (a glacial lake located at about 1800 m.alt.), Iezer Lake of Rodna (a glacial lake located at about 1860 m.alt.).

Unfortunately the lack of huts and hotels in the high area has generated a very small number of tourists which visit these mountains, especially the Suhard. However this can be taken as a good fact, as a trip to the area can prove to be a mostly relaxing one, given the tranquility and picturesque nature of the environment. The main activities which can be done in the area are the hiking trips in summer, mountain - biking, sightseeing tours to the sheepfolds or the monastery in the Suhard, and in winter cross-country skiing, snow-boarding in the Rodna a.o. Generally the hiking paths are easy-average, only rarely with demanding or more difficult passages. The tourist marks are often refreshed in the Rodna - and especially to the Northern slope -, while in the Suhard they are rather old and the paths are unclear, because of the lo number of tourists.