Călimani National Park Highlights

Massive eruptive rocks and craters of old volcanoes in the Călimani National Park (Parcul National Călimani) are spawned over breathtaking landscapes, matched by the presence of large areas of natural ecosystems and the 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 the unusual shaped 12 Apostles (Cei 12 Apostoli), Red Stones (Pietrele Rosii) and Nefertiti geological reserves.

Mountain with volcanic origins, Călimani features the biggest inactive caldera in Europe (about 6 miles in diameter). 

Călimani National Park Fast Facts 



 
 

LocationNorthern side of Eastern   Carpathians (Bistrita – Nasaud, Harghita, Mures and Suceava counties)
 

Size64,000 acres  
 

Best known forThe volcanic plateau dominated by the Calimani  caldera and the abundance of Swiss stone pine and juniper trees that shelter  the endangered black grouse (Tetrao  tetrix)
 

Natural featuresMassive eruptive rocks,	Craters of old volcanoes, Swiss stone pine and juniper tree forests
 

ActivitiesCross-country skiing,	Hiking,	Mountain biking, 
    Horseback riding,	Skiing,	Wildlife and birds watching
 
	 
		
 

        

Natural attractions
 

Iezerul Călimani Natural Reservation preserving the natural elements of vegetation  and featuring the beautiful Iezer   Lake bordered with dwarf  pine and alpine roses
 

12  Apostles, Red Stone, and Nefertiti   geological reserves
 

Tihu Waterfall – located  at the confluence of Tihu and Paraul Umed brooks
 

Retitis Peak - from the top, there are magnificent views of Ceahlau  Mountain and the distant Fagaras Mountains on clear days.
 


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 endangered 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), a very rare species 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.
 


Park Essentials
 



Main access points
 

Gateways to Călimani National Park include villages Gura Haitii, Dorna Candrenilor, Poiana Stampei, Rastolnita, Ilva
 


How to get to Călimani National Park
 

By air 

Nearest airports are located in:

Cluj,  
Suceava   and  
Targu Mures
 

By car 

European road E 85/E 576 (Bucuresti - Suceava – Vatra  Dornei - Bistrita) to Dorna Candrenilor. 
 

By train 

Nearby train stations: Ilva Mica, Lunca Bradului, Vatra Dornei
 
To check train schedules please visit RomaniaTourism domestic transportation section.
 


Accommodations
 

There are several campgrounds in the park and quite a few B&Bs in the nearby villages.




Tourist info
 

Călimani National Park Administration

ADMINISTRAȚIA PARCULUI NAȚIONAL CĂLIMANI RA

Sat Șaru Dornei 54C, Comuna Șaru Dornei, Jud. Suceava

Telephone: (+4) 0230 371.104

E-mail

www.Calimani.ro