The Țibleș Mountains

The protected area is located in the Gutâi-Igniș Mountains and covers 15 hectares. Here we find the only andesite gorge in Romania, stretching across 700 m. The wild area and the Runcu creek, which smoothly runs through the gorge, enhance the beauty of the nature reserve. Unfortunately, once with the completion of works to the Runcu-Firiza dam, part of this picturesque area will be flooded.

Part of the administrative territory of Coroieni township, the geological nature reserve "Cheile Babei" includes the sector of gorges dug by the Poieni creek in Eocene limestone and covers an area of ​​about 15 hectares. The reserve is home to small waterfalls, canyons and a few caves, and is of great biological importance. In the area one can also admire the famous lime kilns used to burn quarry stone.

In the immediate vicinity of Borșa town we find the largest geomorphologic, faunal and floristic nature Reserve in this part of Romania, which covers an area of ​​3,300 hectares. The Reserve includes an alpine meadow and the coniferous forests of the Stony Rodna Massif (Masivul Pietrosu Rodnei), revealing at the same time a glacial relief of a special importance. 

The Limpedea Columns Nature Reserve is located in the Ferneziu neighborhood of the city of Baia Mare. The site is a geological nature reserve, declared a protected area of ​​national interest in 2000. The volcanic rock has a spectacular appearance, being surrounded by beech, hornbeam, pine and birch forests. The reserve covers an area of ​​three hectares, at an average altitude of 300 m. Its small terraces with patches of grassy vegetation are reminiscent of the prehistoric period, when the entire nature was wild and untouched by man. The "stone organ" is highly sought-after by climbers. The climbing routes in the area are highly appreciated by those who come here to test their limits. In the volcanic stone quarry there are organized routes with a high degree of difficulty, so that only those who are prepared can climb it.

The Cave and Blue Spring of Iza Nature Reserve, because of its mixed geology and landscape, is one of the most visited among the protected areas of national interest in Maramureș County. This area is part of the Rodna Mountains National Park and covers ​​about 100 hectares, and includes caves, rocks and canyons. The name comes from one of the tributaries of the Iza River, whose water is a blue-green rarely found in Romania. Although it is located on the administrative territory of Săcel township, the most accessible route starts from Moisei township, crossing an area of valleys and hills of rare beauty.

Impressive at any time of the year, the Rodna Mountains National Park is a biosphere reserve and the second largest natural park in Romania, with numerous options for hiking, mountain biking, paragliding or speleological tourism. The countless glacial valleys and cirques, as well as the 67 lakes therein, increase the spectacular nature of the park. Visitors can also enjoy the Blue Sprin Cave (peștera Izvorul Albastru), which has numerous waterfalls and imposing galleries along its 2.5 kilometer length.

The Royal Forest is a green patch of land in surface of 49 ha, which became a seed reserve for oak and larch species in 1964, and in 2000 it was declared a protected natural area, being owned by the Mara Forest District. This forest is special for its unusual blend of tree species: oak, sessile oak and larch, which grow next to hornbeam, wild cherry, hazelnut and blackberry. There are still many monumental oak specimens, over 250 years old, 30 m high and more than 2 m in trunk diameter.

The Rodna Mountains reach the highest altitudes in the Eastern Carpathians, Pietrosu Peak measuring 2,303 m in height. Here you can explore the second largest national park in Romania, which has the most beautiful glacial landscapes. Within this park there are three strictly protected areas and four areas of full protection, and you can enjoy a beautiful landscape, and the presence of several extremely rare species of flora and fauna.

The Maramureș Mountains group is part of the Maramureș and Bucovina Carpathians and extends to both Romania and Ukraine. On the Romanian territory, Farcău Peak is the highest peak, reaching 1,957 meters. A considerable territory in the Maramureș Mountains has been declared a protected area, constituting the largest natural park in Romania. Maramureș Mountains Natural Park includes four nature reserves, which overlap over two Natura 2000 sites, where we find 171 kilometers of marked tourist routes.