Hotel Onix Straja

Parcul Național Retezat

Retezat National Park, the first national park in Romania and a UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve, protects one of the wildest and most beautiful massifs in the Carpathians. Famous for its more than 80 glacial lakes, including Bucura, the largest glacial lake in the country, and Zănoaga, the deepest, the park offers spectacular alpine scenery of rocky ridges, glacial valleys and flowering meadows. It is home to chamois, marmots, bears and numerous rare plant species, some of them endemic, which makes Retezat a true treasure of biodiversity. A network of marked trails allows everything from easy walks to demanding mountain routes toward peaks over 2,500 metres. Refuges and chalets provide support points for explorers. Accessible from Petroșani and the Hațeg area, the park is an ideal destination for nature lovers, hikers and photographers seeking the authentic wilderness of the Romanian mountains. Visitors are asked to respect the rules of the protected area in order to preserve the fragile balance of this unique ecosystem.

Masivul Parâng

The Parâng Massif ranks among the highest and most imposing ranges of the Southern Carpathians, rising between the Jiu Valley and the Olt Valley, north of Petroșani. Parângu Mare Peak exceeds 2,500 metres, making this one of the few massifs in Romania to reach such altitudes. The landscape is dominated by rocky ridges, glacial cirques carved during the ice ages and a genuine string of clear alpine lakes, among them Lake Roșiile and the Gâlcescu lakes, protected as a reserve. Walkers find here spectacular ridge routes, among the longest in the country, as well as skiing, the Parâng resort lying on the slope toward Petroșani. Alpine flora and fauna, with dwarf pine, edelweiss and chamois, add to the natural value of the place. Less crowded than the neighbouring Făgăraș or Retezat, Parâng rewards the experienced hiker with solitude, silence and wide views across the heart of the Carpathians.

Defileul Jiului

The Jiu Gorge is one of the most spectacular defiles in Romania, a wild valley through which the Jiu River carves its way between the Parang and Valcan Mountains, connecting Petrosani in the Petrosani Basin with the Targu Jiu area. Declared a national park, the gorge impresses with its steep walls covered in ancient forests, the swift waters of the Jiu and its remarkable biodiversity, sheltering numerous species of plants and animals, some of them rare. The road and railway that cross the gorge are notable engineering achievements in themselves, with tunnels and viaducts threading along the narrow valley. The landscape blends the power of the water with the quiet of the forests and offers memorable views at every bend. The area is valued for hiking and for contact with wild nature. Practical note: the gorge can be travelled by car, but stops at the viewpoints are worthwhile; for hiking routes, find out about the marked trails and the rules of the national park.

Cabana Rusu Parâng