Tourist information

Welcome to Retezat National Park!

Visiting Retezat National Park can be done after buying a visiting ticket of 10 RON/ person; the visiting ticket is valid for 7 days, with multiple entries. Help us continue our work for biodiversity! Visiting tickets can be obtained at: Retezat NP Nucsoara Visiting Center, at the main park entrances and on the park territory from the authorized Retezat NP Administration staff.

Useful information!

Camping

Camping in Retezat National Park is allowed only in areas specifically designated by the Retezat National Park Administration. The permitted camping areas in Retezat National Park are located in the following zones: in Poiana Pelegii – near the Salvamont (Mountain Rescue) shelter; in the depression of the Gura Apelor reservoir – from the dam up to the forestry cabin Gura Apelor, depending on availability; near the Branu tourist shelter; near Tăul Gugu; near Lake Scărișoara; at Gura Zlata – near the forestry cabin and on the plateau above it; near Lake Zănoaga – by the tourist shelter; at Râușor; at Cârnic; at Pietrele – on the plateau to the right of the entrance into the meadow coming from Cârnic; near Lake Bucura – by the Salvamont shelter; at Baleia – by the Salvamont shelter; at Stâna de Râu – by the Salvamont shelter; at Buta – by the Salvamont shelter; at Câmpușel – in the meadow across from the forestry cabin.

Chalets

If you are interested in staying at cabins or guesthouses within Retezat National Park, there are several options available, including:

• Cabana Buta (1580 m) – located in the southeastern part of the Retezat Mountains, near the main ridge trail and Tăul Buta, below the alpine zone, within the spruce forest belt, between Drăcșanu Peak on the Drăcșanu Ridge, Plaiul Mic saddle, and the Străunele Ridge;
• Cabana Gențiana (1670 m) – located on the northern side of the Retezat Massif, accessible via the route: Ohaba de sub Piatră – Sălașu de Sus – Cârnic – Pietrele. The cabin lies in the Pietrele Valley, about 2.5 – 3 hours' hike from Cârnic;
• Cabana Pietrele (1480 m) – located on the northern side of the Retezat Massif, accessible via the route: Ohaba de sub Piatră – Sălașu de Sus – Cârnic – Pietrele. The cabin is situated in the Stânișoara Valley, near the confluence with Pietrele Valley, and serves as the starting point for all trails on the northern side of the park;
• Cabins/ guesthouses in the Râușor Tourist Complex (1400 m) – located about 30 km from the town of Hațeg, with access to the resort from National Road 68 Hațeg - Caransebeș, via the commune of Râu de Mori.

The Retezat National Park Administration does not own any cabins within the park and does not make reservations for the existing cabins. We recommend contacting the accommodation providers directly.

Mountain Huts

The network of mountain shelters within Retezat National Park includes:

• Poiana Pelegii Salvamont Shelter (1633 m) – located in Poiana Pelegii, about 15 minutes' walk from Gura Bucurii, the point where the Gura Apelor – Gura Bucurii road ends;
• Bucura Salvamont Shelter (2041 m) – located on the shore of Lake Bucura, approximately 2 hours’ walk from Poiana Pelegii and 45 minutes from Curmătura Bucurii (from where you can choose trails to Bucura Peak, Peleaga Peak, Păpușa Peak, or Retezat Peak);
• Zănoaga APNR Shelter (1997 m) – located on the shore of Lake Zănoaga;
• Condor Shelter (1780 m) – located on the trail between the Râușor Tourist Complex and Lake Ștevia, in the Ștevia Valley;
• Stănuleți APNR Shelter (1100 m) – located in the Lăpușnicul Mare Valley, between Rotunda and Gura Bucurii (Poiana Pelegii), approximately 12 km from the Gura Apelor Dam;
• Stâna de Râu Salvamont Shelter (1563 m) – located in the Poiana Stâna de Râu area (in this area, the streams flowing from Tăul Țapului, Tăul Adânc, the Tăurile Custurii, and Lake Ciomfu Mare form the Bărbat River);
• Buta Salvamont Shelter (1580 m) – located on the southern side of the Retezat Mountains, upstream from Cabana Buta.

Please note that during the summer season, Salvamont teams are stationed at the Buta, Poiana Pelegii, Bucura, and Zănoaga shelters, and these shelters may only be used by tourists in exceptional situations (such as major storms or unforeseen incidents), with the approval of Salvamont Rescue Teams. The Retezat National Park Administration recommends that tourists wishing to spend the night in these areas come prepared with tents.

Trails

The tourist trails shown on the web page https://retezat.ro/trasee are recommendations of the Administration of Retezat National Park within the territory of the park and the overlapped Natura2000 sites. The complete tourist trails from Retezat-Retezatul Mic-Godeanu massifs, as well as their description can be found on the website of SalvamontHD- Salvamont County Public Service https://www.salvamonthd.ro/, Tourism section.

Tourist attractions and activities

The beauty of Retezat National Park attracts tourists from all over the world, enchanting them through the landscapes of a wild authenticity, outlined by forests, glacier lakes, alpine pastures and high peaks, but also through the flora and fauna that can be found here. Retezat National Park means mountains, forests, juniper areas, rivers, waterfalls, gorges, glacier lakes, ridge trails, a landscape which will leave you speechless. Retezat National Park is a piece of heaven that deserves to be protected.

In Retezat National Park we encounter over 50 peaks of over 2000 m, the highest being Peleaga, 2509 m, closely followed by Păpușa, 2508 m. Retezat is the best known due to its “cut” shape, being visible from all across Țara Haţegului, but it is only the third highest peak in the massif, 2482 m.

The legend says that Retezat Peak appeared due to a brave young boy. A long, long time ago, in the area where Țara Haţegului is situated today, giants were living. One of them, a thief, went down to the villages and stole people’s cattle. Many young boys lost their lives trying to stop him, but they were killed by the giant. Eventually, a brave young boy managed to defeat the evil giant. To be sure that he did not survive, the boy cut his head off. At that moment, a miracle happened and the giant turned into a huge “headless” rock (Retezat). His hand fell through the mountains and turned into water. The bridge of his palm turned into Bucura Lake, and his fingers into Slăvei, Lia, Ana, Viorica și Zănoaga lakes.

At 2291 m we encounter Gugu Peak from Retezat National Park, the highest peak of Godeanu massif, a place of legend and shrouded in mystery. The legends say that Zamolxe, the Dacian God, took shelter on Gugu peak, and because of that it is considered the sacred mountain of the Dacians.

In the southern part of Retezat National Park, in Retezatul Mic as it is also known, at 2014 m, we find Piatra Iorgovanului Peak, where the legend says that the brave young man Iovan Iorgovan defeated the seven - headed dragon. From Piatra Iorgovanului Peak we have a spectacular view towards the northern Retezat, developed on siliceous rocks, where the foreground giants are Păpușa and Peleaga Peaks. Retezatul Mic distinguishes itself from the rest of the northern massif, being displayed on limestones which favoursthe development of karst(ic) relief, with gorges, caves,.

Retezat National Park is nicknamed “The land with Blue Eyes” due the multitude of glacier lakes encountered in the massif and which represent approximately 38% of the total of glacier lakes in Romania. The presence of the lakes is the result of the melting of the former alpine glaciers and the traces left by those. The lakes, fed by melted snow of ridges, offers dreamy landscapes, and the arrangement of the 54 permanent glacier lakes in cauldrons, on slope steps, in complexes or isolated and their concentration in a single mountain massif creates a spectacular landscape that annually attracts the admiration of thousands of tourists.

Bucura Lake is the largest glacier lake from Romania with a surface of 8,9 ha. Tăul Porţii is the glacier lake encountered at the highest altitude in Retezat Mountains, at 2260 m. Tăul Porţii is fed only by underground springs and precipitations, being the first lakefront the chain of glacier lakes displayed in Bucura’s cauldron, the second being Tăul Agățat , and continuing with Bucura, Viorica, Florica, Ana, and Lia lakes. Another spectacular lake is Zănoaga Lake, which is the deepest glacier lake in the country, 29 m deep. Tăul Țapului is the most picturesque lake in Retezat, being the only one with a green-eyed, juniper island. Other glacier lakes representing a tourist attraction, well known to mountain lovers and intensively visited for their beauty, are: Galeșu Ștevia and Tăul dintre Brazi- the only lake located in a forest area and which does not have glacial origin in Retezat National Park. We recommend a special place to visit, which can be easily reached- Gura Apelor dam, which is located at the western limit of the park. The lake is an artificial aquatic habitat, built between 1975 and 1986 in Râul Mare Valley.

Among the tourist attractions in the park we encounter the waterfalls formed along the streams and rivers. One of the best known is Lolaia Waterfall, located in the northern part of Retezat National Park, at approximately 1050 m altitude. Long, long time ago, at the end of a summer, a beautiful shepherdess called Lolaia, was going down with her sheeps from Retezat towards her village, Nucșoara. Suddenly, as if coming out of nowhere, a huge and frightening appearance fell upon her flock, and, with great greed, ate all the sheeps. In an instant, out of fear, her golden braids turned white, and she threw herself in the long valley by the road. On the spot where she threw herself, a deep hole appeared in the rock, and the water from the stream formed a waterfall. Even now, at Lolaia waterfall, you can see the girl’s two untied braids, flowing like two silver streams. The tourists are enchanted to see Ciomfu waterfall which has one of the most spectacular waterfallss in Retezat National Park.During the summer season, Retezat National Park, with its unique landscapes, awaits you on mountain hikes, which can be for relaxing purposes, research, birdwatching, wildlife-photo etc. 

Also for active visitors, eager to move, another option for spending free time is cyclotourism, which can be practiced on all forest roads in Retezat National Park. Also, two out of 12 cycling routes existing in Țara Hațegului go across Retezat National Park. Cyclotourism is prohibited on the trails within Retezat National Park.

During the winter season, the visitors of Retezat National Park can ski on the slope encountered in Râușor Tourist Complex. For those passionate about cross-country skiing, the natural setting offers multiple options for practicing this activity.

On the territory of Retezat National Park there are climbing trails in Pereții Bucurii and Colții Pelegii. The trails have different difficulty levels and can be parcurse only with specific equipment.

REMEMBER!

Choose the necessary equipment, materials and food, depending on the season and weather conditions, also anticipating special situations. Never go on a route alone and inform the lodger, mountain rescuers, rangers or mountain police about the route you will take and the approximate time of return. Do not deviate from the route, follow the markings/ indicators and respect the restrictions imposed on certain sections of the route. If the weather worsens or if difficulties arise along the route, we suggest you retreat to the nearest refuge or turn back if possible. Never leave tired or injured persons behind, you must react promptly and effectively to protect and secure the injured. We suggest you respect the necessary rest time in order to be able to continue the program for the next day in good conditions.

IMPORTANT!

Route times are indicative and may vary depending on physical condition, backpack weight, weather conditions and group size. In the case of groups, it is recommended to choose the route according to the physical abilities of the least trained.

VISITING RULES!

Leave behind only your bootprints, take only photos as memories, and protect the biodiversity of Retezat National Park and its overlapping protected areas! These are valuable territories for nature and landscape conservation, and they deserve to be kept intact so that future generations can also enjoy and benefit from their beauty.

Visiting these areas is only allowed under clearly established rules.

1. Get informed! Before setting out on a trail, consult a map of Retezat National Park (PNR), learn about the protected area and its visitation rules, choose a trail suitable for your time and fitness level, check the weather forecast, and equip yourself accordingly.

2. Follow the rules and the instructions of APNR rangers, gendarmes, and mountain rescuers! All activities must be conducted with respect for the protected area and in accordance with current legislation.

3. Pay the visitation fee for the park! Visiting the PNR requires payment of a visitation fee approved by the competent authorities. Visitors can purchase their ticket from APNR staff and authorized personnel, in locations listed on the website www.retezat.ro.

4. Stay on marked trails only! Visiting the park is at your own risk and is permitted only on hiking trails marked with conventional signs and on designated and equipped climbing routes. APNR is not responsible for any incidents resulting in harm or damage to individuals or entities conducting activities within the park.

5. Camp only in designated areas! Pitching tents is allowed only in specially designated areas. Do not dig trenches around tents or use branches, fir boughs, ferns, moss, or other vegetation to set up your bivouac.

6. Do not light open fires! Lighting and maintaining open fires using wood, coal, or other plant-based fuels is prohibited within the PNR, except at sheepfolds and in designated sustainable development areas. In camping areas, only the use of portable stoves (primus) is allowed.

7. Do not leave waste behind! Tourists are required to carry out their own waste and dispose of it in designated collection points outside the PNR.

8. Protect the flora and fauna! It is forbidden to cut, break, or uproot trees, saplings, and shoots, as well as to collect, damage, or destroy any species of plants, rocks, fossils, or speleothems. Feeding wild animals and interfering with the natural balance of the park is also prohibited.

9. Follow the rules for pets! Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Owners are responsible for their pets' behavior and must present valid health documents.

10. Keep nature quiet! Creating noise on the territory of the PNR is forbidden—this includes shouting, singing, using electronic devices, firecrackers, machinery, vehicles, and any kind of equipment.

11. Do not damage tourist or informational infrastructure! It is prohibited to destroy or degrade informational panels, trail signs, markings, shelters, footbridges, and any legally placed construction. Mountain refuges should be used only when necessary, so others may also take shelter in times of need.

12. Protect and keep water sources clean! The use of boats, diving equipment, bathing, and use of detergents in water bodies within the PNR is prohibited. On Gura Apelor reservoir, recreational use of motorboats is forbidden. Non-motorized boats are allowed.

13. Follow motor vehicle access rules! The use of cars, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and other motor vehicles is only allowed on public access roads or with APNR approval. Access to hiking trails with such vehicles, including bicycles, is prohibited.

14. Follow drone and aircraft regulations! Voluntary flying over the PNR with motorized aircraft below 1000 m altitude is forbidden, except in cases involving national security, rescue, natural disaster prevention, or authorized transport, and only with APNR approval.

In 2024, the Management Plan for Retezat National Park, including the Natura 2000 sites ROSCI0217 Retezat and ROSPA0084 Munții Retezat, was approved by Order of the Minister of Environment, Waters and Forests No. 2095 of September 30, 2024, and published in the Official Gazette No. 1018 bis of October 11. This strategic document is an essential reference for the effective management of a protected area of both national and international importance.

With the approval of the Management Plan, the Retezat National Park Regulation was also updated, as an annex to the plan. The regulation is available at visitor centers, information points, through media channels, and on the Retezat National Park Administration website at www.retezat.ro. Failure to comply with these rules results in administrative, contraventional, criminal, material, or civil liability, according to applicable law.