The Royal Forest

Solovan Hill Cave Nature Reserve is a protected area of ​​about 1.02 hectares, which is part of the Natura 2000 Site - Iza Valley and Solovan Hill. The cave, carved in Oligocene sandstones, is located on the upper part of Solovan Hill, around it growing numerous and important floristic species, some of which are extremely rare.

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.

The mixed nature reserve "Farcău Peak - Vinderelu Lake - Mihăilecu Peak" covers an area of ​​about 100 hectares and consists of meadows and lakes, bordered by two mountain peaks, revealing a very beautiful glacial relief. The Vinderelu Lake, one of the main attractions of this protected area, is an oval-shaped glacial lake, located at an altitude of 1615 m. The reserve also surprises with rare species of plants, such as edelweiss, bog bilberry, mouse-ear-hawkweed and spring crocus (lat.crocus vernus), which can be found on the meadows.

This Nature Reserve of floristic, faunistic and landscape type is located in the Maramureș Mountains and stands out because of a compact alpine meadow where Narcissus radiiflorus grow, but also other floral species specific to the relief. The best time to visit the protected area is in early July, when a carpet of wild daffodils magnificently covers the glade.

Located in the depression of the Igniș plateau, at an altitude of just under 1000 m, the Fir Trees Glade Marsh has been declared a protected area. The nature reserve includes an area of oligotrophic marshes, ideal for the development of a fauna specific to peat lands, but also meadows and areas covered with forests. The area is also known as the lowest altitude at which juniper grows in Romania. Many species of mammals, birds and reptiles find shelter in this picturesque nature reserve.

The Iezerul Mare Marsh protected area is a natural reserve of floristic and faunal type. Of the total well-preserved marsh area, which covers about 20 hectares, five hectares are protected by the law. The area includes a body of water surrounded by oligotrophic marshes, rich in peat-like vegetation. The reserve located on the plateau of the Igniș Mountains, at an altitude of 1,014 m, is the ideal habitat for many species of birds, mammals and reptiles, being a veritable monument of nature.