Most important things to know about Danube Delta

Old and new are perfectly mixing in Danube Delta. It is actually the newest land in Europe, but hosts some old antique cities and fortress, e.g. Tulcea or Sulina. Danube Delta is a huge overwhelming surface of soil and water mixing perfectly, but also fighting one against others. Add the fire put often by the locals in Autumn in the reed fields to get better pieces of land and you have all the elements.

Danube Delta is really amazing and impressive through its unbelievable landscapes, rich flora and fauna with many endemic or endangered species. It is the biggest in Europe, if we forget the Volga's, and simultaneously one of the most original, spectacular and richest in the all world. You simply can't neither call it land, is it actually a huge marsh; nor you can't call it water, as all the lakes are covered with vegetation. And this vegetation is so rich, genuine and divers, almost tropical, making it totally unusual for Romania. Call it simply Danube Delta, it is an amazing paradise, half water, half land with a rich network of main arms and small channels. From time to time or in a few places you can find water lilies, if you are lucky enough, or pelicans or other rare species.

Tulcea is one of the best starting places in your Delta discovery trip

Before giving birth to its wonderful Delta, the Danube travels in all Europe almost 4000 km. Its journey starts in Germany, from an unsignificant water source. It goes through many countries and three interesting European Capitals: Vienna, Budapesta and Belgrade. You can cruise the Danube all along, there are a few company offering such tours, but if have not so much time to your disposal, go and see at least the Danube Delta. You can do it on a budget or in style, but you must simply do it, all your efforts will be rewarded beyond your imagination.

Most of the Danube Delta is actually a depression, subject to massive flood in Spring. Totally conventional and for scientific purposes, we make a difference between the river Delta, and the maritim Delta, according to the most influential elements. A demarcation line between these areas is Letea-Caraorman-Crasnicol-Perisor. The depression lies at 0,3 meters bellow the sea level, and is dotted with higher pieces of land, actually fixed or floating islands. On the Letea island the landscape is almost alien, due to the sand dunes gathered by the strong winds and then covered with rich vegetation. Unusual Mediteran species live in perfect harmony with the local oak.

The Letea  forest is one of the best kept protected area inside Danube Delta

The real master of the Danube delta are not the tourists, as you might think, but the birds! More than 300 species, very difficult to name and recognize for a city freak live here all year long or only the half of it. Observe and visit  inside the Danube Delta, which is totally a recognized natural reserve the protected area of the already above mentioned Letea forest, or Rosca-Buhaiova-Hrecisca, and also the notorious nesting or passing areas for the birds.

Pelicans in the Danube Delta are a must see, you are going to find and discover them for sure.

You can reach the Romanian Danube Delta by air, landing in Tulcea, by sea, coming from Constanta, by car in Tulcea etc. Anyway, you must remember: car access is prohibited and almost impossible in mostly all Delta. Whether you arrive by car or by plane in Tulcea, you must make a ship cruise to completely discover and  unveil the secret beauties of the Delta. During the cruise you are going to have an epic wine tasting on the ship, with a few wines from the area.

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Iconic landscapes in the Romanian Carpathians

Leaving Piatra Neamt towards Transilvania offers the good possibility to drive on the Highway 12 C, to Gheorheni, and further to Sighisoara or Brasov. Thus you go through an important Romanian National Park, called The Hasmas Nature Reserve, based on the neighboring mountains, also called the Hasmas Mountains.

It is not an easy way, if you reckon riding the bikes along, but also not impossible. Neither by car is not much easier, on certain parts of the way the street is very narrow, causing very often traffic jams. But the beauty of the landscape in The Bicaz Gorges / Cheile Bicazului makes you surely to forget any unpleasant things, as they are simply fantastic!

The impressive Bicaz Gorges,or  Bicaz canyon

I think the Americans would name it Bicaz Canyon. Call it anything you want, it is amazing and iconic. A small river, namely Bicaz, dug in the soft lime rocks one of the most impressive gorges in Romania. You are going to love these gorges from the first sight for sure. There are good possibilities to climb the mountains all around, watching the highway from the top of the rocks is simply breathtaking, but only recommended and permitted to skilled tourists. The beginners have other many possibilities.

Even in the mountains you  can find bargains and good shopping possibilities

A good idea to discover and conquer the Hasmas mountains is lodging in Lacu Rosu/Red Lake,  a resort on your way, with many hotels and cabins. A main attraction of the Red Lake is even the lake, born through a land slide in the XIXth century. The water is very cold, and deep, also full of trees trunks!  Also, not the best conditions for swimming, but you can take a boat. On the terraces you can enjoy afterwards a glass of beer or wine, and you can make shopping, there are many craftsmen in the area exhibiting their works.There is a wonderful legend about forming of Red Lake/Lacul Rosu. according this legend, a young beautiful girl has been kidnapped and raped by a local outlaw. She, very ashamed, has been crying for 1 day long, and implored the mounting, who finally accepted to let the rocks fall onto the bandit. That's why the falled mountain is called The Killer! Its colour is really reddish, due to the iron oxydes and the red rocks mirroring in the lake!If you are a mathematics or statistics freaks, note some numbers: altitude 983 meters, surface 13 hectars/26 acres, maximum depth 12,5 meters; extent 3 km, length 3 km, and a total volume of 680000 cubic meters. From the lake starts its journey the river Bicaz, but other  small rivers are tributary to the lake. The have been dammed, in order to prevent the lake from collecting mood, which could destroy it. You can fish in the lake, as any other visitor is entitled to do it. You can catch trouts, up to 1,5 kg, and you must notice the two distinct species: the lake trout has black point, while the river trout coming from the tributary rivers has red points.

The little but persistent Bicaz River starts its journey in the Red Lake/Lacul Rosu,  born through  a landslide. Nevertheless, there is a wonderful legend about it!

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Walking and hiking trails in Romanian Bucovina to the Giumalau peak

The Mount Rarau is a kind of Romanian Olympus, subject to many myths and legends, and very popular among Romanian, maybe because is easier accessible. There are more possible trails for that, I have already recommended you one.

Compared with Rarau, the Giumalau peak is only 200 meters higher, but so different! Is is not so friendly anymore, he won't allow you to discover it so easy. Giumalau is much more arrogant, has forests up to the peak, and on  its northwestern side you can discover another old genuine protected on 300 hectars forest (600 acres), called Pojorata. The forests is very similar with the Slatioara forests , and consists mainly on bruce firs, in pure unmixed woods! Over 1700 meters the spruce firs are amazing small, and suffer strong deformations due to the permanent winds. At this point of your climbing appear the small, but dense juniper tree (Pinus montana), which you can cross only after big efforts! My tip: leave them, and search for a proper trail. Other plants emerging often here : the blueberry bush (Vaccinium myrtillus), or the Vaccinium vitis-idaea. In the lightings appear Saldonella montana or the bells (Campanula abietina). A new apearance among the birds, a real star: the mountain grouse; about the bigger and smaller mammals, very similar with Slatioara: wolf, fox, roe, deer, bear, lynx in extended populations. You can still hunt there a lot, let me know about it!

The arrogant Giumalau is not impossible to conquer

One possible trail to conquer the Giumalau is starting from Vatra Dornei. You must climb 1057 meters, following the red band. Please leave by dawn, you must walk 10 hours. The trail leads from Vatra Dornei to Chilia Creek-Obcina Mare (1245 meters)-Obcina Mica (1322 meters)-Lighting Ciungi (1550 meters)-Giumalau Peak (1857 meters) -Mountain Hotel Rarau(1520 meters). Observe in Vatra Dornei the first red band in the small park near the local Council. Be so kind and leave at the left the highway, following the road 17B along the picturesque valley of Bistrita Aurie. When the creek Chilia pays its last tribut to the Bistrita Aurie, follow the creek valley (the red band is very easy to see and follow)

You deserve a good rest after  conquering the peaks Rarau or Giumalau, and the mountain hotel Raraul can offer you that

Follow 5 km the forest road , discovering the Obcina mare and obcina Mica. On the meadows appear the mountain typical landscapes: fences and summer rooms for peasants or animals. Don't miss the exceptionally view from the lighting of Obcina Mica. After only 3 km you cross other trails for conquering the Giumalau peak: one coming from Putna Valley and Itcani (red triangle), or from Mestecanis cabin (yellow band). In a short time you will be able to conquer the arrogant Giumalau peak, after 6 hours hiking, becoming as a small attention the breathtaking view. The other few hours you need to reach the Hotel Raraul, as you need lodging somewhere, and this is the most reasonable possibility! Hotel Raraul is satisfactory, you deserve a good rest after conquering a peak of 200 meters. Take also a refreshing dinner, with a glass of wine.

There also other options of trails towards Giumalaul Peak, but the main thing to know is this: it is not impossible conquering it, be self confident. Take good care on the way of you and your group/family, and never lose the from the sight the trail markings. Also important: don't dare to think of hiking these trails in winter, it is too dangerous. Imagine what happens losing the marks and direction!

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