Biserica de lemn „Sfinții Arhangheli” din Vălenii Şomcutei

The "Izvorul Bătrâna" hydro-geological reserve is a protected area established around the spring that has its starting point in the Bătrâna Valley. Here, the waters of the Măgura creek made their way through the rocky walls, giving rise to some particularly beautiful waterfalls. The protected area covers ​​half a hectare, and is located in the eastern part of the Rodna Mountains. 

Located within the Izvoare Plateau in the Gutâi-Igniș Mountains, the protected area overlaps the confluence of the Vlășinescu creek and river, giving rise to an area of ​​oligotrophic marshes, conducive to the development of flora and fauna specific to peat lands. Extremely generous, scientifically and in terms of scenery, the reserve is located at an altitude of 870 m, in a natural setting reminiscent of fairy tales.

The Bavna Forest Reserve is a protected area where, over a wooded area, one finds special specimens of pedunculate oak, some of which are over 150 years old. During the summer time, rare migratory bird species, such as the gray heron, find shelter in this area. An equally impressive natural spectacle can be admired here in the spring time, when the snake's head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) blooms, a species declared a monument of nature.

Also known as "At the caves" ("La Peşteri"), the nature reserve is part of the Someșan Plateau, being located in the east of Boiu Mare Township. Spread over a length of 31m and an area of ​​0.5 hectares, the cave has an entrance elevation of 400 m. The natural habitat and the special cave fauna have determined authorities to declare it a protected area.

Located in the Lăpuș Mountains, at an altitude of 285 m, the Bone Cave is a natural area of ​​significant speleological importance. The fossil-cave, with a single entrance and a length of about 40 m, reveals several corridors, and galleries, but its special importance is given by the bones of herbivores and bears belonging to an extinct species, as well as the traces of habitation which were discovered here. Moreover, locals say that the cave would have served as a hiding place for the legendary outlaw, Pintea the Brave.

Discovered in the 18th century, the Chiuzbaia fossiliferous reserve was declared a protected area in 1954. It covers an area of ​​50 hectares and has fossiliferous remains of flora and fauna, which are approximately 6-10 million years old. These have been preserved in the diatomic shores of former lakes. The eight fossiliferous sites with plants include 55 families, from 107 genera and 240 species. The reserve is named after the professor who dedicated more than two decades of his life to its research.

The Piatra Rea scientific nature reserve is part of the Rodna Mountains National Park and is famous, in particular, due to the many specimens of edelweiss (lat. Leontopodium alpinum Cass) found here. The spectacular Horses Waterfall is also part of this Reserve.

The Ilba geological, paleontological and landscape nature reserve covers an area of ​​half a hectare. Here, one can admire polygonal andesitic columns, arranged in the form of a rosette. Fossil remains of shells, ostracodes and snails have been identified in this quarry, discoveries that increase its attractiveness among paleontology enthusiasts. *Photo credit: Muzeul Județean de Mineralogie „Victor Gorduza” Baia Mare

The protected area is included in the Maramureș Mountains Natural Park, and its importance is enhanced by the population of Cochlearia pyrenaica that it shelters, a floristic species protected by law. The botanical and geological reserve also surprises with its beautiful limestone cliffs.