Park Highlights
Surrounded by watercourses and dam lakes, Ceahlău Mountain, the Olympus of Romania, displays an incredible concentration of flora - over 2,000 flower species, and wildlife. Fossil limestone, the rock formations Dochia, Cusma Dorobantului, and the Duruitoarea waterfall are just some of the main attractions in the park. The park is bounded to the east by the Bistrita River and Lake Bicaz, and to the south by the Bicaz River.
Some of the most exciting Romanian legends refer to the strange stone shapes spread around the peaks in the park. The Dochia rock formations are said to represent a mean old woman ("baba") who came on Ceahlău to feed her sheep. Deceived by the sunny days of early spring, she took off, one by one, all her nine-sheepskin waistcoats. When the frost came, it turned both her and her animals into ice, which over the years transformed into the stones we see now.
Fast Facts
| Location | Northern side of Eastern Carpathians (Neamt county) |
| Size | 19,523 acres / 7,742 ha |
| Best known for | Its legends and significance in the history of the Dacians, the ancestors of the Romanian people. Ceahlău was considered to be the sacred mountain of Zalmoxis, the ancient deity of the Dacians. |
| Natural features | Numerous mountain peaks, Ridges, Basal rocks (limestone and conglomerates placed on crystalline bedrock) |
| Activities | Cross-country skiing, Hiking, Wildlife and birds watching |
Natural attractions
The rock formations Dochia and Cusma Dorobantului.
Duruitoarea waterfall (Cascada Duruitoarea)
The Ocolasul Plateau, with the Great Ocolasul Peak (6256 feet) - the highest peak in the Ceahlău Mountains – and the Toaca Peak (6246 feet)
Flora and Fauna
Over 90 species of birds can be seen in the Ceahlău National Park. The capercaillie (Tetrao urogalus), the biggest among the birds in the park, can be seen in Piciorul Schiop and Poiana Maicilor, during the mating period in April. With a little luck you can also spot in the same area: the three clawed wod-pecker (Picoides tridactylus) a glacial relict, and the wall creeper (Tichodorma muraria). The raven (Corvus corax) usually builds its nest in the high areas of the mountain.
Among the rare birds nesting in the park are the cliff butterfly (a bird that could be found also in Cheile Sugaului and in Cheile Bicazului), the aquila (Aquila chrysaeltus) and the mountain cock (cocosul de munte).
The park is also home to the black goat (Rupicapra rupicapra), which has been colonized here, the lynx (Lynx lynx), the wolf (Canis lupus), the fox (Canis vulpes), the brown bear (Ursus arctos) and the pine marten (Martes martes). The elk (Cervus elaphus var. carpathicus) - monument of nature and the most valuable species of Ceahlău - can be admired in: Izvorul Alb, Poiana Maicilor, and Izvoarele Bistrei Mari.
Nearby Attractions
The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina - www.RomaniaTourism.com/Monasteries.html
The Bicaz Gorges - Hasmas National Park
The monasteries around Targu Neamt (Agapia, Neamt, Varatec) - www.RomaniaTourism.com/Iasi.html#DayTrips
Main access points
Neagra, Tasca, Izvorul Alb, Izvorul Muntelui, Ceahlău village, Grinties village, Durau resort
How to get here
By air
Nearest airports located in:
Iasi - www.aeroport.ro/index-eng.htm
Suceva - www.aeroportsuceava.ro/index_en.html
By car
National road DN15 Piatra Neamt – Toplita
By train
Nearby train stations: Bicaz
Train schedules: To check the latest train schedules for domestic routes please visit the website of the Romanian Railways: www.cfrcalatori.ro
The site has complete information about domestic train schedules and fares.
Note: For departures from/to Bucharest please select Bucuresti Nord.
Accommodation
Camping areas (near Cabana Dochia),
Mountain chalets (Cabana Izvorul Muntelui; Cabana Fantanele; Cabana Dochia)
Tourist info
Ceahlău National Park Administration
Telephone: 0233 256.600
Email: pnc@ceahlaupark.ro
Web: ceahlaupark.ro/en/presentation/ (Romanian only)
