The Nistru Lake

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.

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.