What are the natural wonders of Romania? Below you can explore some of Romania’s wonders of nature. A country rich in cultural and historical traditions, visitors will be blessed by the nature experiences this country has to offer.
Romania wonders of nature feature caves, rock croppings, mountains and more.
Romania Natural Wonder: Scărișoara Cave
Under the Apuseni Mountains of Romania lies the Scărișoara Cave, which is one of the largest ice caves within the Carpathian chain. The cave houses the second-largest underground glacier within the southeastern region of Europe. It is located at 3,822 feet (1,165 m) above sea level, 2,362 feet (720 m) long and 344 feet (105 m) deep. The cave’s entrance shaft measures at 197 feet (60 m) in diameter, while 157 feet (48 m) in depth, giving access through a metal stairs towards a large chamber called the Big Hall.
The Big Hall chamber measures 354 feet (108 m) long and 256 feet (78 m) wide, leading to 3 openings such as the Great Reservation, Coman Gallery, the Little Reservation, and The Church with more than 100 stalagmites. Tourists can freely visit The Church, The Big Hall, and the entrance shaft, except for the other chambers, which are reserved for scientists and need permission from the Speological Institute of Cluj-Napoca.
Bats are found in the cave as well as Pholeuon prozerpinae glaciale, bugs that measure .1 inch (3mm) long. A Rupicapra skeleton was also discovered in a portion of the Big Reservation. The Church’s glacier area offers tourists with a spectacular view of stalactites and stalagmites, which change dimensions in accordance to seasons.
Romania Wonder of Nature: Sphinx
Also called the Sfinxul, the Sphinx is a magnificent natural rock formation located in the Bucegi Natural Park in Romania’s Bucegi Mountains. The Sphinx is situated at an altitude of 7,270 feet (2,216 m). From Babele, it is only a 10-minute walk. The site offers a strange shape, which scientists have given more mystical explanations, saying that the rock formation has been carved through corrosion, a process in which wind conglomerates with rock.
Historically, the Sfinxul signifies a supreme deity during the pelasgians times. The human-face-like appearance of the monument symbolizes supreme power, which puts emphasis to face balanced, chin voluntary and severe lip.
Romania Nature Attraction: Babele
Babele is an area on the Plateau of Bucegi Mountains in Romania. It means “The Old Women”, and one of the most favorite tourist attractions in the country. The name was also derived from mushroom-shaped rock formations, which have resulted from erosion and the varied hardness of rock layers. Tourists can reach the Babele chalet by road or through cable car, or by foot through the Juniper Valley or the Burned Rock chalet.
The rock formations are very impressive, forming silhouettes of older women, thus, Romanians called them Babele. Towards the end of May and June, the weather in the area makes the experience more thrilling, yet enjoyable.
Cheile Bicazului-Hamas National Park
The Cheile Bicazului-Hamas National Park is situated in Romania’s north-eastern portion. The Neamţ and Harghita counties cover the reservation territory. The entire park measures at 6,575 hectares and subdivided into 2 zones, including the protection zone with 22% of the area, and the special conservation with 78%. The park’s altitude measures between 670 and 1,792m.
The road going through the park takes travelers to the country’s rare beauty, giving the spectacular view of the Piatra Altarului or The Altar Stone, Piatra Arsitei, and the Piatra Pintesilor. Among the 3 stone walls feature some of the most-challenging climbing routes within the country that only professional climber can conquer.
The park’s vegetation is composed of 95% spruce forests that lay on the Hasmas Mountain. Beech trees, large mountain plains, and mountaintops with sub-alpine vegetation are also present in the area. The protected area includes plant species like the Floarea de colt or Edelweiss, the Papucul doamnei or The Lady’s shoe, and the Tisa and Sangele-voinicului or The blood-of-the-hero plant.
Nature Attraction: Berca Mud Volcanoes
The Berca Mud Volcanoes reserve is the country’s botanical and geological reservation. Tourists visit the place in order to witness the volcano-shaped and volcano-caused mud volcanoes. These magnificent “volcanoes” were formed through the eruption of mud, plus natural gas.
The reserve is situated on the Buzau Mountains. Tourists can reach the place via a bus or taxi. The site can also be observed in 2 different areas – the Little Mud Volcanoes, and the Big Mud Volcanoes. The volcanoes’ mud surfaces are dry and cold, while vegetation is absent due to the soil’s salty nature.