Călimani National Park Highlights
Massive eruptive rocks and craters of old volcanoes
are spawned over breathtaking landscapes in the Călimani National Park (Parcul National Călimani).
There are large areas of natural ecosystems such as acidophilic forests of Picea abies,
forests of Larix decidua and Pinus cembra, mountain meadows of Nardus, scrubland with Pinus mugo,
conifers and Rhododendron myrtifollium (mountain peony)
and an abundance of Swiss stone pine and juniper trees.
Călimani Mountains Park is home to the highest volcanic peak in Romania: Pietrosu (6,896 ft.).
The natural erosion process, in the volcanic plateau, has led to the formation of unusually shaped geological reserves.
| Location | North-eastern Romania / Eastern Carpathian Mountains |
| Area | 64,000 acres |
| Best known for | The volcanic plateau dominated by the Calimani caldera, massive eruptive rocks, diverse and rich ecosystems |
| Activities | Cross-country skiing, Hiking, Mountain biking, Horseback riding, Wildlife/bird watching |
| Calimani Park map |
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Călimani National Park Main Attractions
Iezerul Călimani Nature Reserve - home to the beautiful Iezer Lake and abundant dwarf pine and alpine roses.
Around Iezer, a crystal-clear lake, there is abundant vegetation: juniper and mountain pine.
In the spring, several rare species of flowers bloom, including the mountain peony (rhododendron).
The main ridge of the volcanic caldera
The 12 Apostles, Red Stone, and Nefertiti geological reserves
Tihu Waterfall (Cascada Tihu – located at the confluence of Tihu and Paraul Umed brooks
Molidis Scientific Research Reserve (Rezervația științifică Molidiș cu Pinus Cembra)
Retitis Peak that offers magnificent views of Ceahlau Mountain
and, on clear days, the Fagaras Mountains in the Transylvanian Alps.
Flora and Fauna
For those interested in botany, Călimani National Park makes it possible to observe 774 species of plants, many of them marked as rare: alpine leek (Allium victorialis), narcissus anemone (Anemone narcissifolia), and mountains soldanella (Soldanella Montana). In juniper tree forests or on soils of volcanic nature, the rose bay (Rhododendron myrtifolium) is frequently encountered.
Călimani National Park is home to several animal species, such as: the bear (Ursus arctos), the elk (cervus elaphus), the wild boar (sus scrofa), the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), the wolf (Canis lupus), the tree marten (Martes martes) and the lynx (Lynx lynx). The cedar forest and juniper trees area on the western slope of the Călimani Mountain is home to the black grouse (Tetrao tetrix), very rare in Romania.
Attractions not far from Calimani Park
~ The Painted Monasteries in Bucovina,
~ Rodnei Mountains National Park,
~ Maramures region,
known for its wooden architecture, authentic rural life and carefully-preserved traditions,
~ Geological reserve Creasta Cocosului (Viseu Valley) -
glacier lakes, waterfalls, volcanic mountains and caves.
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Calimani National Park Activities
Hiking Trails in Calimani Mountains
Here are a few hiking trails in Calimani Mountains National Park, listed by duration:
| Trail 1 itinerary: | village Dornisoara - Izvoarele Dornei |
| Terrain: | hill, forest |
| Trail markers: | yellow circle |
| Duration: | 4 hours |
| Difficulty: | intermediate |
| Season: | spring, summer and fall |
| Campsite/Accommodations: | no |
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| Trail 2 itinerary: | village Gura Haitii - Pietrele Rosii - village Dornisoara |
| Terrain: | hill, mountain, forest |
| Trail markers: | blue cross |
| Duration: | 7 -- 8 hours |
| Difficulty: | intermediate |
| Season: | spring, summer and fall |
| Campsite/Accommodations: | Pietrele Roşii campsite |
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| Trail 3 itinerary: | village Poiana Negrii - 12 Apostles peak - village Gura Haitii - Calimanul Cerbului peak - village Coverca |
| Terrain: | hill, mountain, forest |
| Trail markers: | blue circle |
| Duration: | 8 -- 9 hours |
| Difficulty: | intermediate |
| Season: | spring, summer and fall |
| Campsite/Accommodations: | 30 minutes detour from Călimanul Cerbului, red (vertical) stripe |
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| Trail 4 itinerary: | town of Vatra Dornei - Poiana Spanzului - Poiana Snopului - Apa Rece - village Saru Dornei |
| Terrain: | hill, mountain, forest |
| Trail markers: | blue triangle |
| Duration: | 9 -- 10 hours |
| Difficulty: | intermediate |
| Season: | year-round |
| Campsite/Accommodations: | 30 minutes detour from Călimanul Cerbului, red (vertical) stripe |
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| Trail 5 itinerary: |
village Gura Haitii - Poiana Izvoarele - - Pietrosul Calimani peak - Reţiş peak - - Iezerul Calimani peak - Pasul Păltiniş (pass) |
| Terrain: | hill, mountain, forest |
| Trail markers: | red cross |
| Duration: | 15 -- 16 hours |
| Difficulty: | intermediate |
| Season: | spring, summer and fall |
| Campsite/Accommodations: | Poiana Izvoarelor campsite and, Iezerul Călimani campsite (one hour detour from Retis peak, red cross) |
| More trail info | web / pdf |
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| Trail 6 itinerary: |
village Neagra Sarului - 12 Apostles peak - Pietrele Roşii - -Poiana Izvoarele - Reţiş peak - - Iezerul Calimani peak - village Neagra Sarului |
| Terrain: | hill, mountain, plateau, forest |
| Trail markers: | red circle |
| Duration: | 18 -- 21 hours |
| Difficulty: | intermediate |
| Season: | spring, summer and fall |
| Campsite/Accommodations: | Pietrele Roşii campsite, Iezerul Călimani campsite (one hour detour from Retis peak, red cross) and 90 minutes detour from Călimani Izvor via Călimanul Cerbului peak |
| More trail info | web / pdf |
... ...
Mountain biking in Calimani Mountains
Trail name: Calimani Mountain Crossing
| Start points: | villages Paltinis or Saru Dornei |
| Distance: | 14 miles - gravel road |
| Elevation variation: | 1,640 ft. (500 metres) |
| Difficulty: | M(3/5) Moderate-Strenuous, some sections M(4/5) Strenuous-Challenging |
| Trail map |
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Trail name: Calimani Mountains National Park loop
| Route: | Saru Dornei -- Gura Haitii -- Dragoiasa -- Paltinis -- Saru Dornei |
| Distance: | 51 miles |
| Ascent: | 4,690 ft. (1,429 metres) |
| Descent: | 4,708 ft. (1,435 metres) |
| Difficulty: | M(3/5) Moderate-Strenuous |
| Trail map |
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Wildlife Watching in Calimani Mountains National Park
Wildlife watching programs
organized by Calimani National Park rangers include
Rotitul cocoșului de munte
The mating display of the Mountain Rooster
(Western capercaillie - Tetrao urogallus)
A spectacular mating display is performed by male capercaillies to attract females.
The mating call begins with a rattling that accelerates to an angry note and finishes with a scraping sound.
The cocks’ will puff up their chests, fan out their tail feathers, ruffled up beard feathers and erect neck
and strut around to showcase their grandeur.
When: end of March -- beginning of May
Boncănitul cerbilor
The bellowing/ roaring of the stags
Male red deer (stags) make loud, distinctive mating calls during the rutting season
to attract females and challenge other males.
When: September 15 -- October 15
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Cross-Country skiing in Calimani Mountains
The administration of Calimani Mountains National Park offers one, pre-set, guided cross-country skiing program (7-hour trail) as well as custom tours.... ...
Calimani National Park Accommodations
There are several campgrounds in the park.
Camping is permitted only in specially designated areas, shown on the park's map.
Small hotels and B&B are located in most villages located not far from the park:
Dorna Candrenilor, Dornişoara, Gura Haitii, Poiana Negrii, Poiana Stampei, Şaru Dornei, Stânceni and town of Vatra Dornei.
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Park Essentials
Main access pointsGateway communities to Călimani National Park hiking trails include:
from the north: villages Gura Haitii, Dorna Candrenilor -- Poiana Negrii, Poiana Stampei -- Dornișoara and town of Vatra Dornei
from the south: villages Lunca Bradului, Răstolnița and Călimănel
from the west: village Colibita.
How to get to Călimani National Park
By air:
Nearest airports to Calimani National Park:
Cluj - Napoca (82 miles west of Rastolita access point),
Suceava (90 miles north-east of Gura Haitii access point)
Targu Mures (51 miles south-west of Rastolita access point)
By car:
Routes connecting Romania's main cities with Calimani Mountains national Park include:
Bucharest -- Bacau -- Gura Humorului -- – Vatra Dornei -- Dorna Candrenilor
Bucharest -- Brasov -- Miercurea Ciuc -- Gura Haitii
Bucharest -- Brasov -- Sibiu -- Cluj Napoca -- Dorna Candrenilor
Bucharest -- Brasov -- Sighisoara -- Targu Mures -- Bistrita -- Dornișoara
By train:
Nearest train stations to Calimani Park are Ilva Mica, Lunca Bradului and Vatra Dornei
To check train schedules please visit RomaniaTourism domestic transportation section.
Visitor info
Călimani National Park Administration
Administratia Parcului National Calimani
Address: Sat Șaru Dornei 54C, Comuna Șaru Dornei, Jud. Suceava
Telephone: (+4) 0230 371.104
E-mail
Tara Dornelor Tourism Association
Asociatia de Turism Tara Dornelor
Address: Sat Neagra Şarului Nr. 138, Comuna Șaru Dornei, Jud. Suceava
Telephone: (+4) 0744 571.889
E-mail
