Welcome to Retezat National Park!
Visiting Retezat National Park can be done after buying a visiting ticket of 10 RON/ person; the visiting ticket is valid for 7 days, with multiple entries. Help us continue our work for biodiversity! Visiting tickets can be obtained at: Retezat NP Nucsoara Visiting Center, Codrin and Lolaia Chalets (Carnic), Gentiana Chalet, Buta Mountain Rescue Point, Clif Alpin Rausor, at the main park entrances and on the park territory from the authorized Retezat NP Administration staff.
Useful information!
Camping
In Retezat National Park, camping is allowed only in the places specially designated by Retezat NP Administration: Rausor, Pietrele, Stana de Rau, Stanuleti, Dragsanu, Poiana Pelegii, Bucura, Zanoaga, Buta.
Chalets
If you are interested in staying at the chalets/ pensions in Retezat NP, you have several options, including: Buta Chalet (1580 m), Gentiana Chalet (1670 m), Pietrele Chalet (1480 m), Chalets/ Guest Houses in Rausor Tourist Complex.
Retezat National Park Administration does NOT own chalets on the territory of the park and DOES NOT MAKE RESERVATIONS at the existing chalets in the park and we recommend you contact their administrators directly.
Mountain Huts
We mention that the network of mountain huts on the territory of the Retezat National Park consists of: Salvamont Refuge Poiana Pelegii (1633 m); Salvamont Refuge Bucura (2041 m); Salvamont Refuge Zanoaga (1997 m); Refuge Condor (1780 m); Refuge Stanuleti (1100 m); Salvamont Refuge Stana de Rau (1563 m); Salvamont Refuge Buta (1580 m); Branu Refuge (1686).
We would like to remind you that during the summer the mountain huts from Buta, Poiana Pelegii, Bucura and Zanoaga ensure the permanence of rescue teams (SALVAMONT) and can be occupied by tourists only in exceptional conditions (major storms, unforeseen incidents, etc.). Tourists who want to spend the night in these areas during the summer must come prepared with tents!
Trails
The tourist trails shown on the web page https://retezat.ro/trasee are recommendations of the Administration of Retezat National Park within the territory of the park and the overlapped Natura2000 sites. The complete tourist trails from Retezat-Retezatul Mic-Godeanu massifs, as well as their description can be found on the website of SalvamontHD- Salvamont County Public Service https://www.salvamonthd.ro/, Tourism section.
Tourist attractions and activities
The beauty of Retezat National Park attracts tourists from all over the world, enchanting them through the landscapes of a wild authenticity, outlined by forests, glacier lakes, alpine pastures and high peaks, but also through the flora and fauna that can be found here. Retezat National Park means mountains, forests, juniper areas, rivers, waterfalls, gorges, glacier lakes, ridge trails, a landscape which will leave you speechless. Retezat National Park is a piece of heaven that deserves to be protected.
In Retezat National Park we encounter over 50 peaks of over 2000 m, the highest being Peleaga, 2509 m, closely followed by Păpușa, 2508 m. Retezat is the best known due to its “cut” shape, being visible from all across Țara Haţegului, but it is only the third highest peak in the massif, 2482 m.
The legend says that Retezat Peak appeared due to a brave young boy. A long, long time ago, in the area where Țara Haţegului is situated today, giants were living. One of them, a thief, went down to the villages and stole people’s cattle. Many young boys lost their lives trying to stop him, but they were killed by the giant. Eventually, a brave young boy managed to defeat the evil giant. To be sure that he did not survive, the boy cut his head off. At that moment, a miracle happened and the giant turned into a huge “headless” rock (Retezat). His hand fell through the mountains and turned into water. The bridge of his palm turned into Bucura Lake, and his fingers into Slăvei, Lia, Ana, Viorica și Zănoaga lakes.
At 2291 m we encounter Gugu Peak from Retezat National Park, the highest peak of Godeanu massif, a place of legend and shrouded in mystery. The legends say that Zamolxe, the Dacian God, took shelter on Gugu peak, and because of that it is considered the sacred mountain of the Dacians.
In the southern part of Retezat National Park, in Retezatul Mic as it is also known, at 2014 m, we find Piatra Iorgovanului Peak, where the legend says that the brave young man Iovan Iorgovan defeated the seven - headed dragon. From Piatra Iorgovanului Peak we have a spectacular view towards the northern Retezat, developed on siliceous rocks, where the foreground giants are Păpușa and Peleaga Peaks. Retezatul Mic distinguishes itself from the rest of the northern massif, being displayed on limestones which favoursthe development of karst(ic) relief, with gorges, caves,.
Retezat National Park is nicknamed “The land with Blue Eyes” due the multitude of glacier lakes encountered in the massif and which represent approximately 38% of the total of glacier lakes in Romania. The presence of the lakes is the result of the melting of the former alpine glaciers and the traces left by those. The lakes, fed by melted snow of ridges, offers dreamy landscapes, and the arrangement of the 54 permanent glacier lakes in cauldrons, on slope steps, in complexes or isolated and their concentration in a single mountain massif creates a spectacular landscape that annually attracts the admiration of thousands of tourists.
Bucura Lake is the largest glacier lake from Romania with a surface of 8,9 ha. Tăul Porţii is the glacier lake encountered at the highest altitude in Retezat Mountains, at 2260 m. Tăul Porţii is fed only by underground springs and precipitations, being the first lakefront the chain of glacier lakes displayed in Bucura’s cauldron, the second being Tăul Agățat , and continuing with Bucura, Viorica, Florica, Ana, and Lia lakes. Another spectacular lake is Zănoaga Lake, which is the deepest glacier lake in the country, 29 m deep. Tăul Țapului is the most picturesque lake in Retezat, being the only one with a green-eyed, juniper island. Other glacier lakes representing a tourist attraction, well known to mountain lovers and intensively visited for their beauty, are: Galeșu Ștevia and Tăul dintre Brazi- the only lake located in a forest area and which does not have glacial origin in Retezat National Park. We recommend a special place to visit, which can be easily reached- Gura Apelor dam, which is located at the western limit of the park. The lake is an artificial aquatic habitat, built between 1975 and 1986 in Râul Mare Valley.
Among the tourist attractions in the park we encounter the waterfalls formed along the streams and rivers. One of the best known is Lolaia Waterfall, located in the northern part of Retezat National Park, at approximately 1050 m altitude. Long, long time ago, at the end of a summer, a beautiful shepherdess called Lolaia, was going down with her sheeps from Retezat towards her village, Nucșoara. Suddenly, as if coming out of nowhere, a huge and frightening appearance fell upon her flock, and, with great greed, ate all the sheeps. In an instant, out of fear, her golden braids turned white, and she threw herself in the long valley by the road. On the spot where she threw herself, a deep hole appeared in the rock, and the water from the stream formed a waterfall. Even now, at Lolaia waterfall, you can see the girl’s two untied braids, flowing like two silver streams. The tourists are enchanted to see Ciomfu waterfall which has one of the most spectacular waterfallss in Retezat National Park.During the summer season, Retezat National Park, with its unique landscapes, awaits you on mountain hikes, which can be for relaxing purposes, research, birdwatching, wildlife-photo etc.
Also for active visitors, eager to move, another option for spending free time is cyclotourism, which can be practiced on all forest roads in Retezat National Park. Also, two out of 12 cycling routes existing in Țara Hațegului go across Retezat National Park. Cyclotourism is prohibited on the trails within Retezat National Park.
During the winter season, the visitors of Retezat National Park can ski on the slope encountered in Râușor Tourist Complex. For those passionate about cross-country skiing, the natural setting offers multiple options for practicing this activity.
On the territory of Retezat National Park there are climbing trails in Pereții Bucurii and Colții Pelegii. The trails have different difficulty levels and can be parcurse only with specific equipment.
REMEMBER!
Choose the necessary equipment, materials and food, depending on the season and weather conditions, also anticipating special situations. Never go on a route alone and inform the lodger, mountain rescuers, rangers or mountain police about the route you will take and the approximate time of return. Do not deviate from the route, follow the markings/ indicators and respect the restrictions imposed on certain sections of the route. If the weather worsens or if difficulties arise along the route, we suggest you retreat to the nearest refuge or turn back if possible. Never leave tired or injured persons behind, you must react promptly and effectively to protect and secure the injured. We suggest you respect the necessary rest time in order to be able to continue the program for the next day in good conditions.
IMPORTANT!
Route times are indicative and may vary depending on physical condition, backpack weight, weather conditions and group size. In the case of groups, it is recommended to choose the route according to the physical abilities of the least trained.
VISITING RULES!
Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints and protect our biodiversity! For your own good and the benefit of the natural protected areas from Retezat please
follow Retezat National Park's rules:
ATTENTION: The Retezat NP Regulations are public at visitor centers, information points, on media channels and on the Retezat NP Administration website - www.retezat.ro. Violation of the Retezat National Park Regulations can attract, as the case may be, administrative, contraventional, criminal, material or civil liability, according to the legislation in force.
1. Respect to be respected! In Retezat National Park you need to respect the people, greet the tourists you meet on the path respect the rules & restrictions of the area explained by the park rangers, mountain gendarmes or mountain rescuers (SALVAMONT). Respect wildlife, natural monuments and protected areas. Respect and leave as you find: path & info signs, shelters and other
tourist facilities.
2. Waste (garbage) of any kind, including biodegradable ones, must be removed from Retezat National Park and properly stored/ recycled in specially designed places. Otherwise, we
risk dangerous encounters with bears or with packs of wild dogs. Keep wildlife out of food and garbage.
3. Fire is prohibited! Wood and charcoal fires (including wood-burning stoves) are prohibited in Retezat National Park. Any fire, no matter how small, can turn into a wildfire. For camping use camping stoves (solid/ gaseous/ liquid fuel). Exception - sheepfold fire, carefully monitored!
4. Protect animals, plants and landscapes from Retezat National Park! Protect our wildlife, even if some of them seem harmful or dangerous. Protect the plants in the park, maybe it's
a plant that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world.
5. Protect the blue eyes of Retezat National Park! Do not pollute the lakes, rivers and springs in Retezat National Park with soap or detergents. Do not swim in the alpine lakes!
Remember that the lakes in Retezat are protected!
6. Camp only in permitted areas, without digging ditches around the tent and without destroying the plants (junipers, mosses, etc.) to arrange your bivouac. The campsites are for
rest, respect the privacy of others, on the mountain people are equal. The places where camping is permitted are: Rausor, Pietrele, Stana de Rau, Buta, Poiana Pelegii, Bucura, Zanoaga,
Dragsanu, Stanuleti.
7. In order not to disturb the biodiversity of Retezat National Park, in order not to get lost and to be able to be helped in case of injury, do not deviate from the marked paths.
8. Leave your pets at home or, if this is not possible, keep them on a leash at all times to protect them from the bites of wild animals (eg. vipers) and in order to avoid disturbing wild
animals and their cubs.
9. Walk on the paths in Retezat National Park in silence, without shouting and throwing stones, without using noisy devices. You better go quietly in order to see the wildlife in the
park, use binoculars, cameras and flashlights.
10. Driving motorized vehicles (cars, ATVs, motorcycles, scooters, snowmobiles, etc.) on tourist trails is prohibited. Vehicles can be driven only on roads where access is allowed. The use of bicycles is allowed only on public roads within the park, not on tourist trails.
11. Prepare for everything and be prepared for anything. Before leaving on a trail, find out more about the proposed trail, its degree of difficulty, as well as the weather. Choose the trails
according to the least trained member of the group. Talk to rangers, gendarmes or mountain rescuers (or even the cabin owners) about the trails you can follow and the approximate time
to return. Also take a map of the area. Choose the necessary equipment, materials and food, depending on the season and weather conditions, also foreseeing special situations.
