Places

Located in the northern part of the Bucegi Mountains, the protected area is made of a part of the western slope of the Bucşoiu Mare mountain, a part of the Mălăeşti Valley and the beginning of the Gaura Valley. Representative for this place is the alpine landscape with rocky steep cliffs and stone boulders, caracteristic for a well preserved glacial relief. Text and photo source: http://romaniasalbatica.ro/

The museum is arranged in the national art camp "Fekete Gabor", is a sale-exhibition space with modern and traditional artworks exhibited both outdoors and indoors, also offering free art courses. Text source: https://www.visitzarnesti.ro/

The church „The Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Church” was built in 1779, ten years after the village was founded. The church was founded by the great Romanian merchant from Brașov, Ioniță Boghici. The merchant from Brașov has also made other donations to the church, of which there were preserved four icons painted on 20th of February 1779 by Constantin Popovici and a brass candlestick with two arms, dated 1723. Among the valuable objects brought from Tohanul Vechi by the priests Mihai and Oprea, there was a precious gospel printed in Bucharest in 1682 at the command and the expense of Ion Șerban, the nephew of the ruler Șerban Basarab. Text source: https://www.visitzarnesti.ro/

”The Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary” Church was built in 1791, and was organized and developed around the Orthodox cemetery in Zărnești, being founded by archpriest Bratu Baiul. Due to the increasing of the population of the village, the enlightened priest wanted to organize an Orthodox cemetery and build the church. At that time the cemetery and the church were located on the outskirts of the village. An ideal location is found on a hill above the river bed Bârsa. Through the efforts of past and present priests, the Orthodox cemetery and stylish renovated church, dedicated to the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, gives us a sample of respect for the ancestors of Zărnești. Text source: https://www.visitzarnesti.ro/

The church "Saint Nicholas" is the oldest church in the city, the old medieval art monument inscribed in the heritage of the Romanian Academy. The great historian Nicolae Iorga believed that the church, which was built on the site in 1515 and then was repaired in 1810, comes from ancient times, from a Romanian ruler. It seems that the original church was quite of small dimensions. As the number of residents was increased by approximately five times, the size of the church was unfit for its purpose. In the late seventeenth century the church was finished, being stuck in the narthex of the chapel. In the oral reports, the elders of the village said that after the Battle of 1690 at Zărnești, the Tatars burned the village, and here it did not stand after that scorching fire than the new church, whose brick and stone walls left in their place. It is believed that the rise of this place would have been helped by a prince of Wallachia, respectively the predecessor of Constantin Brâncoveanu, Şerban Cantacuzino. Text source: https://www.visitzarnesti.ro/

* CURMATURA CHALET IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR ACCOMMODATION, but you can dine in the restaurant or you can use the tent camping facilities / ecological toilets / showers/ spring water. Chalet Details:  - 46 places (in the cottage and annex)  - Cottage: rooms with 2, 3, 11, 12 places  - Annex: 2 rooms with 4 seats, 1 room with 10 seats  - Buffet and restaurant (slow food, NU fast food)  - Spring water, electricity (generator)  - Dining room program: 07.00 - 23.00 (after 23.00 dining room closes!) Prices: Prices may change, so it's good to call back to the cottage!  - 50 lei / room in the rooms with 12-14 beds in the room  - 100 lei / room with 2 beds in the room  - 150 lei/ room with 3 beds  - 10 lei / tent - In the Winter, tourists must book beds for the weekend and in summer for any period! Slipping in the dining room is not allowed!

Visiting Schedule Winter- Piatra Craiului National Park Visiting Center: Monday: Closed Tuesday-Thursday: 10:00-16:00 Friday - 10:00-14:00 Saturday: 11:00- 15:00 Sunday: 11:00- 13:00   More details on: https://www.pcrai.ro/program Rates:  Adults - 5 lei                 Teens (under 18 years old) - Free                 National Park access fee payers - Free *If you come with a group, it's recommended to tell the park administration in advance! *The ticket for the museum can be bought only from the Visiting Center of the Piatra Craiului National Park. More info on presentation (pcrai.ro) Opened in 2016, the Visitor Center is an exhibition space that combines information trails in the park, based on interactive techniques, three-dimensional layouts, and exhibits related to the area's biodiversity. With touch screens, visitors can see the landscapes of Piatra Craiului and find out all the necessary information about the flora and wild animals that live here, but also about the rocks that are combined in the massif. Visitors can also take a virtual tour of the tourist trails, everything with a simple hand movement.  An artificial stall has been set up in the visitor's center to allow visitors to see what they look like on the inside, but also an artificial cave where bats and other insects are living in this environment.  The wild animals can be admired on the route that runs through the visitor center. These can not only be seen but also heard, which brings a spectacular element and is certainly a great attraction for the little ones.  The interior of the center is designed to simulate the idea of rocks as much as possible, so visitors will feel right on the mountain. In addition, the special effects of thunder, lightning, or chirping of the birds will bring the visitor even closer to the beauty of the Piatra Craiului Mountains. The center also has a Piatra Craiului 3D layout and a walkway that tourists can climb to admire from above as if they were on a mountain at heigh. Also on the walkway can be projected pictures from Piatra Craiului, geological information, and habitat, but also tourist routes. Everything is with a touch screen command. Practically the visitor can design what map he wants to see and they can virtually admire the entire Piatra Craiului massif.

It preserves the heritage buildings of architectural patrimony, historical monuments built in the XIX century: the Communal House (1867- the current Cultural Center), the Court (1886) and the Confessional School of Zărnești (1875).

The Geological Complex of Racoş is a geological area of national importance of 95.2 ha and is integrated into the Natura2000 Homoroadelor Hills since 2007. Today the protected area preserves the visible four-quartered basaltic volcanic manifestations in the three pits. .The Racoş Geological Complex comprises the following tourist attractions: - The Monument of the Basalt Columns of Racos (MTTC Pit); - Emerald Lake (Brazi Pit); - The Offshore Volcano (Dealul Hegheş Basalt Scale Pit). To be visited only on the marked road or with a guide approved by the area's custodians. The entrance fee is 5 lei / adult and 3 lei / students or students

According to the legend, during a period of drought that has scorched all plants, humans and animals, a poor woman, named Stanca, climbed to the peak of the Piatra Craiului Mică and prayed to God to give rain, repeating this route for several days until, one day, she never returned to the village. Then a miracle occurred, it was raining incessantly for three days and three nights. After a long search, the locals have found Stanca on the peak of Piatra Craiului Mică, on her knees and her eyes up to the sky, but dead. They buried her there, and left a cross on her head. Text source: https://www.visitzarnesti.ro/i

The reservation is located in the counties of Brasov and partly in Covasna, on the territories of Dumbrăviţa, Codlea, Holbav, Hălchiu, Feldioara, Măieruş, Belin, Hăghig. It is divided into three distinct areas, and has a total area of ​​over 4,500 ha. The protected area has been designated to protect wild bird species, especially those of Community (European) interest, being one of the most important breeding and resting areas in this part of the country. During the migration, spring and autumn, the total population of the Dumbrăviţa water birds exceeds 20,000, the area being one of the most important wetlands within the Carpathian chain. Birds of greatest importance are nesting species such as: Little Cormorant, Little Bush, Dwarf Stork, Red Stork, Night Eagle, Yellow Stork, Little Egret, Big Egret, Red Pike, Reed Erect, Greyhound, Field Crunchy, Hummingbird sea ​​bass, white-billed beetle, black-billed beetle, black-billed beetle, black-billed beetle, bark beetle and small muscar. Of the species that are only passing through the reserve, the most representative, present yearly in large numbers, are the black stork, the bully, the marsh whistle or the black guitar. In addition to birds, the protected area also shelters other species of community animals, such as the beaver and the otter. The reservation is also remarkable in the variety of scenery, which passes from wetlands (ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes and reeds) to pastures, pastures and forests. The main access points are the localities Dumbrăviţa, Rotbav and Codlea. Text and photo sources: https://www.facebook.com/Deltadincarpati/; http://romaniasalbatica.ro/

The Holes in Zăplaz are considered gateways to another dimension. The ruptures in the rock may be encountered coming up from the Spirlea Refugeto “La Lanțuri” trail in The Piatra Craiului Massif. The Mountains of petrified shells dating back to the dinosaurs’ times turned into the holes that are currently at Zăplaz. Cutting the sky, the Holes in Zăplaz means, actually, "fence boards" and are often likened to the work of Gaudi. Apart from and grandeur of the mountain holes, which scientists have no clear explanation, the windows carved into limestone are considered possible portal to another dimension. The water, the wind, the years have worked hard on arches, columns, galleries, to create the phenomena displayed today. The holes at Zăplaz is one of the most important sights of Piatra Craiului Massif, an objective which should not be missed it if you are nearby. Text source: https://www.visitzarnesti.ro/

Localizată în apropiere de comuna Holbav, pe Dealul Ghirtalău, între Pârâul Crucii şi Pârâul Lupului, aria protejată desemnată în anul 2004, cuprinde fosta carieră de argilă Holbav. Succesiunea litologică de aproximativ 230 – 250 de metri lungime a rezervaţiei, reprezintă un sit geologic de cercetare ştiinţifică pentru facultăţile de specialitate în domeniile geologie, geografie, protecţia mediului, ecologie sau minerit. În vecinătatea rezervaţiei se află satul Holbav, unde se pot observa tradiţiile păstrate cu grijă de locuitorii zonei şi peisaje rupte parcă dintr-un basm. De la punctul numit La Cruce, aproape de vârful unui deal, se pot privi împrejurimile ce străjuiesc satul, dar și culmile Parcului național Piatra Craiului. Sursă text și foto: http://romaniasalbatica.ro/

Masivul Leaota se învecinează în partea de nord-vest cu Parcul național Piatra Craiului, iar la est cu Parcul natural Bucegi, principalul rol al sitului fiind acela de coridor ecologic, asigurând migrarea speciilor între cele două mari arii protejate. Lupul și ursul sunt printre speciile ce beneficiază de acest rol al ariei naturale protejate. Habitatele identificate aici sunt: păduri de amestec fag-răşinoase, păduri de molid, păduri aluviale, tufărişuri subalpine, habitate de pajişti, printre care apar frecvent stâncării şi grohotişuri. Diversitatea vegetală este foarte mare, cu un număr de 810 specii, între care câteva specii protejate prin lege sunt: garofiţe de munte, floarea de colţ, bujorul de munte, tisa, zâmbrul etc. Diverse specii de mamifere şi păsări au fost identificate aici, unele dintre cele protejate prin lege fiind ursul brun, râsul, lupul, cocoşul de munte, uliul păsărar etc. Principalele activităţi turistice care pot fi întreprinse în Munţii Leaota sunt drumeţii, ciclism montan, schi de tură, fotografie şi observare faună. Perioada optimă pentru vizitare este primăvara în timpul înfloririi bujorului de munte și toamna când coloritul naturii devine variat. Fiind o arie protejată importantă pentru liniștea faunei, se recomandă accesul numai pe potecile marcate. Câteva trasee străbat Munții Leaota, accesul fiind posibil prin Podu Dâmboviței, Rucăr, Stoenești, Padina, Fundata și Moeciu de Sus. Sursă text și foto: http://romaniasalbatica.ro/

Pasul Strunga se regăseşte în principala potecă turistică care face legătura dintre Valea Ialomiţei (Cabana Padina) şi Bran (Şimon). Peisajul pe care îl oferă acest loc este deosebit de frumos, de sus putând fi admirate creasta Craiului, culmile ce ne poartă din Bucegi către Leaota, ţinuturile Branului şi ale Braşovului. În apropiere de Șaua Strunga, sub muntele Strungile Mici, se află Locul Fosilifer Vama Strunga, o rezervaţie ştiinţifică situată la altitudine de 1.950 m, care protejează o succesiune de roci cu o grosime de 40-50 m. În aceste calcare se găseşte una dintre cele mai importante asociaţii de faună marină din Jurasicul Mediu din România, constituită din peste 150 de specii. Sursă text și foto: http://romaniasalbatica.ro/

Microcanionul este săpat de pârâul Hoghiz care îşi are izvoarele în curmătura dintre Măguricea Mare şi Pleşiţa, pe coasta vestică a Perşanilor. Aria protejată este formată din stânci bazaltice cu un relief aparte, versanţi cu aspect de pereţi verticali abrupţi și secţionaţi, ce se aseamănă cu văile canioanelor, însă la o scară mult mai mică. Peisajul este întregit şi de două cascade, precum şi de o peşteră de mici dimensiuni formată în versantul stâng. Sursă text și foto: http://romaniasalbatica.ro/

This is a botanical reservation, and it represents an important area in the depression of Brașov County. It is well justified that it has been declared a natural reservation. It is situated in the central part of Brașov county, at the eastern side of Țara Bârsei, near Olt River, and at a height of 525 m. It is crossed by several rivers and rapids, such as: Husbav, Valea Morilor, Pârâul de sub Coastă, and it is fed by numerous springs which are remains of the former glacial relicvs. The terrain is plain, specific to the relief of the area. Here, the average annual temperature is 7 degrees C, and during wintertime it is 5 degrees below 0 C. Although the precipitation is well reduced, the humidity of the area remains. The reservation is somewhat protected, but the initial surface has been reduced by the drainage made in the area, and nowadays it has an unsatisfactory look. Text and photo sources: http://www.brasovtourism.eu/; http://romaniasalbatica.ro/

Tâmpa Mountain rises up to 400 m above the city of Brasov. The natural reservation lays on a surface of 150 ha. On the northern side lays a splendid forest formed by numerous floral and tree species. The southern part is more sunny and dry. Tâmpa hosts many species of birds, animals and insects (this is the place where are 35% of the species of butterflies from our country). Text and photo sources: http://www.brasovtourism.eu/; http://romaniasalbatica.ro/; https://www.metropolabrasov.ro/

Situl cuprinde în întregime Munţii Baraolt şi parţial Munţii Bodoc. Pădurile acoperă aproximativ 70% din suprafaţa sitului, iar relieful este caracteristic zonelor cu dealuri înalte. Toate pâraiele de pe teritoriul sitului sunt afluenţi ai Oltului. Aria protejată cuprinde păşuni şi fâneţe care alternează cu păduri seculare de foioase, predominant făgete, oferind un habitat ideal atât pentru păsările răpitoare, cât și pentru barza neagră. Populația de viespar și barză neagră din Munții Bodoc-Baraolt reprezintă 2% din efectivele la nivel național ale acestor două specii. Ale specii de importante ce se regăsesc aici sunt: cristelul de câmp, acvila țipătoare mică, huhurezul mare, ghionoaia sură, muscarul gulerat și muscarul mic. Oferta peisagistică a acestei rezervații este una variată, de la câmpurile întregi de ghiocei situate sub vârful Kőmöge și orhideele prezente în păduri, și până la rocile vulcanice întâlnite din loc în loc sau grotele antropogene care adăpostesc pe timpul iernii multe specii de lilieci. Se mai remarcă în această zonă și izvoarele de ape minerale. Sursă text și foto: http://romaniasalbatica.ro/

Bogata Forest takes its name from the homonym creek flowing through it for ca. 10 km. The forest includes various, not only historical riches: geological, physical-geological, landscape, botanical, and forest-related features. The secular forest, turned into a reservation (of mix type – faunistic, floristic, geological), occupies the central part of Perşani Mountains (on the administrative territory of the villages of Apaţa, Hoghiz, and Măieruş) extending over 17 km, along the creek, and an area of 85 km2. Several woody plants (oak, durmast, beech, hornbeam, and spruce fir) grow together and created a “heaven” for game (wild boar, bear, lynx, and deer). Among smaller animals one can find also foxes, wolves, martens, polecats, squirrels etc. During the interwar period there were still sightings of wild cats, badgers, and martens. Among birds, one most often sees blackbirds, redwings, various woodpeckers, titmice, jay birds, goshawks, owls, eagle owls, and the rarer Western Capercaillie and Hazel Grouse. The exact situation of the former patrimony of quails and partridges is unknown. Trout still breed in Bogata Valley. During historical time, the forested mountain doubled Old Valley in the defense of Dacia and later, during the Middle Ages, it was always a test of courage for all merchants or travelers forced to take the road between Braşov, Rupea, and Sighişoara. Groups of brigands or lonely thieves always tested the travelers’ wealth, vigilance, and power to react. In order to ease traffic, an inn was built in the forest to house travelers, but also as center for the posse. Nowadays, the rail road Braşov-Sighişoara, fixed along the border between the central and northern sectors of Perşanilor Mountains, goes through the halts in Rotbav, Apaţa, Ormeniş, Augustin, Racoş, Mateiaş, and Rupea. On the other hand, the main road – DN 13/E 60 Braşov – Sighişoara, crosses it along 17 km following a different route. Another traffic line is along DJ 132, from Rupea, along the Homorodului Mic Valley, through the settlements of Homorod, Mercheaşa, and Jimbor. The temperate climate, with moderate precipitations, allows for the practice of tourism here between the months of May and October. Text and photo sources: http://www.rupeaturistica.ro/; http://romaniasalbatica.ro/

Aria naturală se află în partea central-vestică a județului Brașov, în comuna Beclean, în apropiere de drumul județean care leagă localitatea Voila de Cincșor, şi se întinde pe o suprafaţă de 42 hectare. Situl este important pentru prezenţa unui habitat de interes european, constituit din vegetaţie de silvostepă eurosiberiană cu gorun. Pădurea are o structură naturală bine păstrată, cu stejarul şi gorunul ca specii dominante, provenite din sămânţă care se regenerează natural. Unele exemplare au dimensiuni notabile până la 70 de cm în diametru şi înălţimi de până la 25 m. Sursă text și foto: http://romaniasalbatica.ro/

It is a floral and forestry reservation, situated at 20 km from Brasov, at an altitude of 500 m and spreads on a surface of 300 ha. It has oaks, fir trees, tulips and other floral species. It’s fauna consists of snakes, lizzards, wasps, crows. Text and photo sources: http://www.brasovtourism.eu/; http://romaniasalbatica.ro/

 The natural rock fortress of Pietra Craiului is unique among the mountains in our country. The specific landscape is characterized by a lonely ridge, which reaches a length of approximately 25 km and heights of over 2,000 meters. La Om peak (or Piscul Baciului) is the highest and measures 2,238 m. If we leisurely study the particularities of the massif, we will discover a great variety of relief shapes and sizes: rock corners, needles, pyramids, edges, towers, belts and chimneys. The large number of valleys, hollows, natural arches and alpine gaps complete the visual spectacle, along with particularly spectacular steeps. 1,170 plant species live here, almost 30% of the plants found in our country, of which 181 are protected. Among these species we mention only the most well-known ones: the carnation of Pietrei Craiului, the yew, the angelica, the blood of the strong, the yellow poppy, the linaria, the cornflower, the wild gladiolus, the bulbul and the mountain peony. Piatra Craiului harbors an impressive number of species of mountain orchids, 41 of the 58 existing in Romania. The climatic and geological conditions, the geomorphology and the structure of the flora and vegetation of Piatra Craiului have determined the preservation of a special diversity in the group of mammals. Of the approximately 100 species of mammals in the fauna of the entire country, over 40% live in Piatra Craiului. The sccess in the Piatra Craiului National Park is based on the visitor's ticket. Ticket purchase points: Text and photo-video sources: http://www.pcrai.ro/; http://romaniasalbatica.ro/ 

Parc natural de interes naţional, prezintă peisaje atractive cu spectaculoase văi glaciare şi cabane de creastă, oferă posibilităţi de practicare a drumeţiilor montane, alpinismului, snowboardului şi a schiului de fond şi alpin. Întins pe o suprafaţă totală de 32.500 hectare, Parcul Natural Bucegi cuprinde Abruptul Bucşoiului, Valea Gaura şi Valea Mălăieşti, unde sunt protejate capra neagră, râsul, cocoşul de munte, dar şi specii floristice rare. Pe platoul Bucegilor se găsesc monumentele naturale Babele şi Sfinxul, iar Crucea Caraiman, Cascada Urlătoarea, Peștera Ialomiței, Gura Diham și Hornul Mălăiești sunt alte atracții turistice renumite. Foto: http://www.bucegipark.ro/

Comăna Cave (or the Cave from Poiana Mănăstirii) is a naturally protected area of a speological type. The cave of Comăna is situated in the central part of Perșani Mountains, upstream from the village of Comăna de Sus, Brașov County. Comăna constitutes the underground road of the brook which collects its waters on a pendulous plateau located to the south of the Peștera mountain. The cave has a system of galleries on three levels, extending on 2.500 meters and an unevenness of 70 m (-40). It is difficult to reach this cave, it is very difficult to cover it and there are many “traps”, it has many narrow passages which can be passed only by those that have a good physical condition, well trained with adequate equipment and it is mandatory that they are accompanied by at least one guide-member of the Speleology Club Silex Brasov (www.silex.go.ro). Text and photo sources: http://www.brasovtourism.eu/; http://romaniasalbatica.ro/

Dintre ariile naturale de protecție a păsărilor desemnate la noi în țară, Piemontul Făgăraș se află printre cele mai importante, atât ca suprafață, cât și ca număr de specii ocrotite (25 de specii) și condiții naturale oferite. Acesta se întinde pe suprafața Depresiunii Făgărașului, în perimetrul administrativ al județelor Brașov și Sibiu, pe latura nordică a Munților Făgăraș. Fiind amplasat atât în regiunea alpină, cât și în cea continentală, relieful dominant este cel de deal și de munte. Habitatele specifice sunt variate, cuprinzând pășuni și fânețe, păduri de foioase și de conifere, terenuri arabile, vii și livezi. La nivelul întregii regiuni, flora este bine reprezentată, fiind înregistrate peste 900 de specii de plante, iar diversitatea floristică este evidentă mai ales în fânețele umede (aprox. 450 de specii). Zona de la poalele versantului nordic al Munților Făgăraș oferă o combinație optimă a habitatelor pentru multe specii de păsări importante pe plan mondial, cum ar fi: acvila țipătoare mică, cristelul de câmp, foarte multe specii de ciocănitori, șoimul călător, cocoşul de munte, barza neagră etc. Pentru ocrotirea pe termen lung a acestor specii este foarte importantă conservarea habitatelor în care păsările își construiesc cuibul, își cresc puii și se hrănesc. Sursă text și foto: http://romaniasalbatica.ro/

Podișul Hârtibaciului este a doua arie protejată ca mărime din România, după Rezervația Biosferei Delta Dunării. Este situat în centrul țării, în sudul Transilvaniei, și este delimitat la nord de râul Târnava Mare, iar în sud de râul Olt. Podișul constituie o zonă cu peisaj mozaicat în care modul de gospodărire al terenurilor și al resurselor naturale a generat condiții favorabile pentru numeroase specii de păsări de interes comunitar și național. Unele dintre cele mai importante specii de păsări care trăiesc aici sunt: cristelul de câmp, huhurezul mare, ghionoaia sură, ciocârlia de pădure, sfrânciocul roșiatic. În această zonă cuibărește cea mai însemnată populație de acvilă țipătoare mică și de viespar din România, densitatea cea mai ridicată fiind atinsă la sud de Valea Hârtibaciului. Sursă text și foto: http://romaniasalbatica.ro/

Carved into spectacular rock walls over a length of approximately 2 km, the Gorges of Zărneştilor is characterized by a monumental due to vertical walls or even bend over whites, with heights exceeding 200 m in some places. In this area, the temperature drops a few degrees because the sun hardly ever penetrates the gorges, only a few hours per day, which provides opportunity to relax and rest in the cool weather offered the gorges in the summer. The access is from the town Zărnești and Peștera. The cabin Curmătura is located near the gorge, an important starting point shifts to Piatra Craiului Massif. Those who come here will be impressed by the sights of the Cave (The Great Cave chasms, The Small Cave chasms) and several springs, like the Fountain of Botorog and the Gentlemen Fountain. The walls bordering the valley have a height ranging between 100 and 200 meters. The route through the Gorges of Zărneşti impresses with its spectacular rock walls where there were built numerous alpine routes. The view can be admired from afar, from Zărnești and Peștera. Covering the gorges you reach the place called "La Table" one of climbing spots on the Piatra Craiului peak. Accessibility: • National Road (DN) 73A to Zărnești and here County Road (DJ) 112G, to the Fountain of Botorog, then after 100 meters the road splits, one before the gorges and the other to the village of Măgura. Text source: https://www.visitzarnesti.ro/

The Lempeș hill is part of the category of botanical reservations. This complex constitutes a typical component of the natural environment from the Depression of Brașov and has a scientific value without doubt. The reservation is found on the administrative territory of the commune of Hărman and Sânpetru, being located on the Lempeș Hill, known as the Fortress Hill. The surface of the reservation is 274,5 hectors. It was included in the natural protected area, of national interest, under the name of Fortress Hill - Lempeș. The fauna is diverse and includes protected species like the hen-hawk, small eagle and the stag. Text și photo-video sources: http://www.brasovtourism.eu/; http://romaniasalbatica.ro/; https://www.youtube.com/Romania Montană

*Between January 9 and March 4, the weekday tours (Tuesday-Friday) will be bilingual! Tours are organized at 9.30 and 11.00. During the weekend, two tours are organized in Romanian, at 9:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., and in English at 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. We advise you to dress and dress appropriately for this time of year. The visit to the sanctuary is done on foot, on a cobbled road that can be covered with snow on some parts.   Remember you are in the mountains so be prepared to drive in winter conditions and keep your chains on your cars as you may need them by the time you reach the sanctuary! *We recommend to buy tickets online at: https://millionsoffriends.org/en/buy-tickets/ *Children under 5 years old are not allowed in the sanctuary.! *The Sanctuary's visiting schedule, visiting rules, and online ticket purchase for guided tours are available at https://millionsoffriends.org/en/libearty/ Visiting schedule 1st November 2023– 30th April 2024: • Tours in English, Tuesday-Sunday at 09:30, 10:45; • Tours in Romanian, Tuesday-Sunday at 09:45, 11:00; * We recommend purchasing tickets online to secure seats, each tour has a limited number of seats. * Tickets can be purchased on the official website of the sanctuary: https://millionsoffriends.org/en/buy-tickets/  • All tours are guided. Children under 5 do not have access to the reservation. Happy Visit! #libeartybearsanctuary #visitzarnesti Created in memory of the Maya bear, the Libearty Sanctuary is today home to over 100 brown bears, all rescued from a cruel and abusive life in captivity.  Recognized by many specialists as probably the best bear sanctuary in the world, Libearty covers an area of ​​69 hectares of lush forest, streams, and ponds located on the territory of Zarnesti, the municipality at the foot of the Carpathians, near the city Brasov.  Most bears in the reserve were rescued from the most miserable and tiny cages, being only a reason for "fun", tourist attraction. Many were confiscated from the terraces of restaurants, hotels, and boarding houses, but some of them were held captive near factories, gas stations, or even a monastery. Bears that lived in circuses also came to us.   Each bear or bear in the reserve has its own story full of drama. Please note that Libearty is a bear sanctuary, not a zoo. The Libearty Bear Sanctuary has been named by Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel site, Traveler's Choice for 2020! It is the second time that the Libearty Sanctuary has received this award of excellence after the one awarded in 2014.  Details of the visit can be found by accessing the following link Visit the Sanctuary - Asociația Milioane de Prieteni (millionsoffriends.org)

"Colțul Chiliilor" is an Orthodox hermitage located in the middle of the forest, in the northern part of the Piatra Craiului massif in Zărnești, Brașov County.  ~ It is the oldest religious settlement in Zărnești (1421), consisting of a chapel arranged in a cave and a monastic ensemble, rebuilt on the site of the one destroyed in 1718 by the Austrian imperial authorities.  ~ A little above the hermitage, climbing into the forest, there is a cave in which a Holy Altar dedicated to Saint Pious Parascheva has been arranged. The cave, about twenty meters long, is adorned with numerous icons. _____  ~ How to get there? >>> Route to follow: from the center of Zărnești (Tourist Information Center) on the road to Plaiul Foii, following the blue stripe marking.  ~ Length of the route: 4, 8 km, difficulty: easy  ~ Duration per direction: 1h / 1h: 30  ~ Level difference: +310 m  ~ Also recommended for families with children Text source: https://www.visitzarnesti.ro/

Se află la marginea estică a Podișului Hârtibaciului, la cca 66 km de Brașov, în partea central-nordică a județului. Căi de acces: pe DN 13 Brașov-Sighișoara, până la km 66, în centrul orașului Rupea, de aici se poate urca pe un drum de acces după cca 500 m atingându-se altitudinea de 579 m. Suprafața ivirii de bazalt este de aproape 5 ha, dar împreună cu sedimentele ce acoperă bazaltele, zona tampon se ajunge la un areal de 9 ha. Stânca bazaltică de la Rupea - Punctul cel mai vestic de apariție a bazaltelor din Munții Perșani se găsește izolat în plină zonă de apariție a formațiunilor terțiare ale Bazinului Transilvaniei. Rezervația se află situată pe un relief colinar rezidual (stânca de bazalt), a cărui suprafață se suprapune în rest pe formațiunile sedimentare marginale ale Podișului Hârtibaciului. Bazaltele sunt compacte și nu au produse piroclastice. Surse text și foto: http://www.brasovtourism.eu/; http://www.rupeaturistica.ro/; http://romaniasalbatica.ro/

Rezervația, cunoscută şi sub denumirea de Colții Corbului Mare, este o arie naturală, situată în nord-vestul Masivului Postăvarul în partea sud-vestică a Braşovului, pe culmea Ştejerişul Mare. Rezervaţia este de o importanță botanică foarte mare și are o suprafață de 16,30 hectare. Aceasta reprezintă o zonă montană cu floră și faună specifică grupei muntoase a Carpaților de Curbură. În arealul ei, pe partea nordică, la altitudinea de 920 – 950 m, se află o formațiune geologică calcaroasă, numită Colții Corbului Mare. Această formațiune de culoare alb-cenușie este de vârstă jurasică și are la bază depozite importante de grohotișuri. Aria protejată adăpostește o mare varietate vegetală, bogată în specii arboricole și ierboase. Pădurile sunt constituite din specii de fag, în asociere cu gorun. Tufărișurile sunt în special formate din alun, maceș, păducel, corn și soc. Sunt întâlnite și specii vegetale rare, dintre care amintim: flămânzica și piperul-lupului. Surse text și foto: http://romaniasalbatica.ro/; https://www.metropolabrasov.ro/

Prezenţa vulcanilor noroioşi în Bazinul Transilvaniei este favorizată de prezenţa acumulărilor de gaze şi a apelor de zăcământ şi a depozitelor sedimentare, care servesc ca strat sursă de material pentru vulcanii noroioşi. Pe la mijlocul sec. XX au apărut primele emanaţii de noroi, care au clădit acești vulcani noroioși, un caz geologic extrem de rar. Au fost observați şase astfel de vulcani în perimetrul care constituie situl geologic protejat. Vulcanii Noroioși de la Homorod se manifestă diferit. Doi dintre ei au o activitate sporadică şi cel mai probabil gradul lor de activitate este influenţat de greutatea masei de apă care îi presează. Unul dintre cei mai activi este denumit Homorod 3, acesta având o erupție chiar în infrastructura drumului. Homorod 4 este de tip bazin noroios și este cel mai activ, putând fi văzut bolborosind. Sursă text și foto: http://romaniasalbatica.ro/