Borșa

Hotel Ştibina Borșa

Munții Rodnei - Vârful Pietrosul

The Rodna Mountains, the highest massif of the Eastern Carpathians, are crowned by Pietrosul Peak, which rises above 2300 metres and forms the culminating point of the entire eastern chain. Above the town of Borșa in Maramureș, the alpine ridges of the massif offer some of the most impressive mountain scenery in the north of the country, with sharp crests, glacial cirques, high-altitude lakes and broad meadows scattered with rare flowers. The area lies within a national park and an internationally recognised biosphere reserve, protecting rich flora and fauna, including chamois and many endemic species. Beneath the peak lies the glacial lake Iezer, a mirror of clear water cradled in a cirque carved by former glaciers. The ascent routes set off from the Borșa area and demand good fitness, proper equipment and attention to the changeable mountain weather. The effort is rewarded with sweeping views over the Rodna crests and the neighbouring massifs.

Vârful Pietrosul Rodnei

Pietrosul Rodnei Peak is the highest point of the Rodna Mountains and of the entire eastern branch of the Carpathians, rising above 2300 metres over the town of Borșa in Maramureș. Its alpine summit dominates a landscape of singular beauty, with rocky crests, glacial cirques carved by former glaciers and broad meadows scattered with rare flowers typical of the alpine zone. Beneath the peak lies the glacial lake Iezer, a mirror of clear water framed by steep walls, one of the emblematic landmarks of the massif. The area is protected by a national park and an internationally recognised biosphere reserve, sheltering chamois, marmots and many endemic plant species. The ascent to the peak begins in the Borșa area and demands good fitness, proper equipment and caution towards sudden weather changes. From the ridge open sweeping views over the Eastern Carpathians and the distant villages. The effort of the climb is fully rewarded by the grand panoramas and the sense of mountain solitude.

Cascada Cailor Borșa

The Horses' Waterfall is the largest cascade in the Rodna Mountains and one of the most impressive in all of Romania, set above the resort of Borșa in Maramureș. Its water rises from a small glacial lake and a mountain cirque, tumbling in stages over a drop of more than 80 metres through a wild alpine landscape framed by meadows and forest. The legendary name recalls a local tale about wild horses that are said to have fallen from the cliffs. The waterfall lies within Rodna Mountains National Park, a protected area with remarkable biodiversity. Access is either on foot, along a climb that starts near the Borșa ski slope, or by chairlift to a point close by, followed by a short walk to the viewing platform. The sight of the water thread rolling down the wet rock is spectacular in any season. Visitors are advised to wear suitable footwear and to check whether the chairlift is operating.

Parcul Național Munții Rodnei

Rodnei Mountains National Park protects the highest and most massive range in the crystalline group of the Eastern Carpathians, an area of remarkable wildness and beauty, also recognised as a biosphere reserve. Here rise proud peaks such as Pietrosul Rodnei, the highest in the entire Eastern Carpathians, beneath which lie glacial lakes of crystal clarity, deep cirques and spectacular ridges shaped by ancient glaciers. The alpine landscape, with broad meadows, dwarf pine and rocky slopes, shelters a rich flora, including rare and endemic species, as well as chamois and marmots. From the resort of Borsa numerous trails set out towards the ridges. The setting is ideal for mountain hiking and for observing wild nature. Practical note: the alpine routes are demanding and exposed to sudden weather changes, so proper gear, a map and an early start are essential; in winter the area is suited to winter sports.

Mănăstirea Moisei

Moisei Monastery lies in northern Maramureș, near the town of Borșa, at the foot of the Rodna Mountains, in a natural setting of great beauty. It is one of the oldest monastic settlements in the area, with origins reaching back to the seventeenth century, when it was founded by local nobles. The wooden church in the Maramureș style, with its tall spire and characteristic roof, is an example of the traditional architecture of the region. The place is closely tied to the faith of the local community and hosts an important annual pilgrimage. Nearby stands the Moisei Monument, raised in memory of the peasants killed here during the Second World War, a work of the sculptor Vida Gheza. Thus the area combines the dramatic history of the place with religious tradition. Visitors can link a stop at the monastery with a visit to the memorial monument. It is best to respect the sacred character of the church and the meaning of the monument.

Lacul Iezer Rodnei

Lake Iezer is the largest glacial lake in the Rodna Mountains, set at high altitude beneath the main ridge of the massif, near Borșa, in Maramureș. Formed after the retreat of the glaciers of the last ice age, the lake lies in a spectacular glacial cirque, surrounded by steep walls and alpine meadows rich in rare flora, protected within the national park that covers the area. The Rodna Mountains are renowned for their wild landscapes, for peaks exceeding 2,000 metres and for the diversity of wildlife, including chamois and marmots. The clear waters of the lake reflect the sky and the surrounding crests, offering an unforgettable picture to the hikers who reach it. Access is by marked trails that require sustained effort but are fully rewarded. Practical note: the hike to the lake requires mountain equipment, good physical condition and water reserves, and the weather at altitude can be capricious, so checking the forecast is essential before setting out.

Pasul Prislop Borșa

The Prislop Pass, at 1,416 metres, is the highest road pass in the Eastern Carpathians, a link between Maramureș, Bucovina and Moldavia, near the town of Borșa in Maramureș County. The road climbing to the pass crosses superb mountain landscapes, with alpine meadows, coniferous forests and broad panoramas over the Rodna and Maramureș Mountains, ridges that shelter protected areas and a still-wild nature. At the height of the pass, a monument and a wayside cross mark the spot, and here is traditionally held the Hora de la Prislop, a great pastoral festival that gathers shepherds and locals from three regions in a celebration of folk dress, song and custom. In winter, the nearby area becomes a ski domain. The open views make Prislop a memorable stop on the route toward the monasteries of Bucovina. Practical note: check the road conditions in winter, when the pass may be closed by snow, and stop for photographs at the viewpoints.

Complex Turistic Borșa

The Borșa Tourist Complex is the most important mountain resort of Maramureș, set at the foot of the Rodna Mountains, the highest in the Eastern Carpathians, near the Prislop Pass. Located at altitude, the complex offers conditions for winter sports, with ski slopes and cable transport installations, as well as for hiking and rest during the rest of the year. From here, trails lead to the ridges of the Rodna Mountains, with their peaks exceeding 2,200 metres, glacial lakes such as Lala, and alpine landscapes protected within the Rodna Mountains National Park, a biosphere reserve. Nearby lie the spectacular Horses' Waterfall, one of the highest in Romania, and the Prislop Pass, where a well-known traditional pastoral festival takes place each summer. Borșa thus combines the wild beauty of the mountains with the living traditions of Maramureș. For lovers of nature, skiing and authenticity, the complex is an excellent starting point for discovering one of the most beautiful mountain corners of the country.

Telescaun Borșa Cascada Cailor

The Borșa chairlift is the cable transport that links the base of the Borșa mountain resort in Maramureș to the high zone of the Rodna Mountains, easing access for tourists toward the alpine trails and, above all, toward the famous Horses' Waterfall, the largest cascade in the massif. The lift climbs gently above the conifer forests and meadows, offering along the way wide panoramas over the Vișeu valley and the Rodna ridges, in a typically Carpathian landscape. From the upper station, a short path leads to the waterfall's viewing platform, making one of the most spectacular sights in the region accessible even to those less used to hiking. In winter the chairlift serves the resort's ski slope, and in summer it becomes a starting point for hikes in Rodna Mountains National Park, a protected area of rich biodiversity. The chairlift ride is itself an experience, thanks to the open views. Visitors are advised to check the lift's operating hours, which depend on the season and the weather conditions.