Cheile Sohodolului

4.7(258 reviews)Cheile Sohodolului, România

The Sohodol Gorge is a wild, narrow valley carved by the Sohodol river into the Vâlcan massif, southwest of Târgu Jiu in Gorj county. Limestone walls rise steeply on either side of the water, reaching impressive heights in places and squeezing the route into a spectacular defile, considered among the longest gorges in the country. The scenery alternates between rocky portals, screes, karst springs and forested stretches with rich vegetation, home to flora and fauna typical of the limestone environment. Caves, potholes and water-sculpted erosion forms appear along the valley.

The area is prized for hiking, climbing on the equipped routes and cycling, while the quiet and coolness of the valley offer a pleasant refuge on hot summer days. Access is from the nearby villages, and the road crossing the gorge allows visitors to take in the scenery. Suitable footwear is advised, along with respect for the rules of the protected natural area.

Buy tickets (Tiqets)View on map

Frequently asked questions

Where is Cheile Sohodolului?+

Cheile Sohodolului is located at Cheile Sohodolului, România, in Târgu Jiu.

Is Cheile Sohodolului worth visiting?+

Yes — it holds a 4.7/5 rating from 258 visitor reviews.

Do I need to book tickets for Cheile Sohodolului?+

Popular sights can sell out — booking ahead online saves queuing.

What else is near Cheile Sohodolului?+

Nearby you'll find Coloana Infinitului, Poarta Sărutului, Mănăstirea Tismana.

Keep exploring

More of Târgu Jiu

Explore Târgu Jiu

See in Târgu Jiu

See all →

Landmark

Coloana Infinitului

The Endless Column is Constantin Brâncuși's masterpiece and the centrepiece of the monumental ensemble at Târgu Jiu, raised in 1938 in memory of the heroes of the First World War. Nearly 30 metres tall, the column is made of stacked cast-iron rhomboidal modules that seem to repeat endlessly towards the sky, evoking the idea of infinity and boundless sacrifice. Together with the Gate of the Kiss and the Table of Silence, on the same axis crossing the city, the column forms one of the world's most important ensembles of modern art, proposed for UNESCO listing. The simplicity of its form and the rigour of its execution made it a symbol of Romanian art and a landmark of 20th-century sculpture. It is a place of pilgrimage for art lovers from around the world. The visit is free, in the open air, and possible any time; it looks best in the warm light of morning or evening.

4.7(12,407 reviews)

Landmark

Poarta Sărutului

The Gate of the Kiss is one of the three pieces of the Brâncuși ensemble at Târgu Jiu and perhaps the most charged with symbolism. Carved from Banpotoc stone, the massive gate marks the entrance to the Public Garden and is covered with the repeated motif of two joined half-circles, an extreme stylisation of the embrace and the kiss, a recurring theme in Constantin Brâncuși's work. Through it runs the monumental axis linking the Table of Silence to the Endless Column, conceived by the artist as a path of sacrifice and communion, in memory of the heroes of the First World War. Its geometric simplicity and power of suggestion make the gate a lesson in modern art, admired by visitors from around the world. It stands right in the centre, in a pleasant park for strolling, and can be visited freely at any time. Take time to walk the whole axis on foot, to grasp the idea of the ensemble as Brâncuși conceived it.

4.7(11,757 reviews)

Monastery

Mănăstirea Tismana

Tismana Monastery is the oldest monastery in Wallachia, set in Gorj county, near Targu Jiu, in a spectacular natural setting in the Valcan Mountains. Founded in the fourteenth century by Saint Nicodim of Tismana, the founder of organised monasticism in Oltenia, the monastery rises on a high rock, at the foot of which a mountain stream and a waterfall flow. The picturesque position, between forest and cliffs, gives it a special atmosphere of contemplation and beauty. The church preserves old paintings and precious liturgical objects, and over the centuries the monastery was an important cultural and defensive centre. In times of hardship, valuables and treasures of the country were sheltered here. Today, the community of nuns keeps the living tradition of the place alive. Tismana is a destination of pilgrimage and a wonderful natural corner of sub-Carpathian Oltenia, worth the journey for its history and scenery.

4.7(3,425 reviews)