MY NEW PERSONAL BLOGS
Posted by admin on Friday, January 11, 2013 · Leave a Comment
I have started writing 2 new blogs. One of them is about my personal ideas, thoughts, adventures, trips, history, biology and other topics.
The second one is about the romanian national and natural parks, and about the romanian nature in general.
Both of my blogs will be written in spanish and english at the same time, and probably in some months also in other languages.
For the blog about National parks of Romania –> http://euparkeria.overblog.com/
For the blog about my personal experciences, trips and hobbies –> http://crossingallborders.overblog.com/
I aslo let you a funny video…you can watch it…or read me…maybe! 😀
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sscK_KEPjr4
Favourite movies
Posted by admin on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 · Leave a Comment
I also like cinema though I must recognize my knowledge about this topic is not very big. I wanna share some movies I´ve watched in my life that I really recommed. The winter time is comiing soon and the best plan is stay at home.
1. The thirteenth floor
– Director and year: Josef Rusnak, 1999 (USA & Germany).
– Gender and duration: Fiction, 100 minutes .
– Little explanation:
A group of scientist makes a great discovery which is gonna change definitively the percepcion of human about itself and the world around it.
2. Lucky Number Slevin
– Director and year: Paul McGuigan, 2006 (USA).
– Gender and duration: Thriller/action. 109 minutes.
– Little explanation:
Slevin Kelebra and Mr. Goodkat are working together in a special case and they´ll try to be succesfull, even when it´s too difficult. They must prepare a revenge during years. A really interesting movie which is gonna make you interested every time, for sure.
3. Apocalypse Now
– Director and year: Francis Ford Coppola, 1979 (USA).
– Gender and duration: War, 153 minutes.
– Little explanation:
Considered the greatest war movie in history. FF. Coppola decided to make it in the Phillipines islands, when te country had its own war. The movie is about Vietnam War (1963 – 1975) and tells the story of Coronel Kurtz and Captain Willard, they both will find each other in the most difficult conditions, when war is lost for americans
4. Little Miss Sunshine
– Director and year: Jonathan Dayton, 2006 (USA).
– Gender and duration: Comedy, 101 minutes.
– Little explanation:
Olive is a small girl living in USA and her dream is become the new Miss Sunshine, the beauty competition winner. Her family crosses all the United States in a big car in order to participate in it. The best comedy I´ve ever watched.
5. Into the Wild
– Director and year: Sean Penn, 2007 (USA).
– Gender and duration: Based in real story, 147 minutes (USA)..
– Little explanation:
Everybody knows it´s one of my favourite movies. Based in real story, Christopher Johnson McCandless is totally sad and needs a big change in his life, very far away from the false society we live. A movie everybody must watch, from my point of view. The final part is hard but the movie is great.
Why don´t you understand? (Part II)
Posted by admin on Monday, November 12, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Come on, try to understand!
I wrote some months ago an article titled <<Why don´t you understand?>> and I supose that only the people who wanted to understand they really tried to.
It sometimes happens some people they don´t understand, but the biggest problem is that they don´t want to understand. So when you find that kind of people, let´s do nothing, just don´t pay attention to them because you can spend your energies for nothing.
People who are trying be right all time, who never thought about feeling of the others, who are living more in the lives of other people than their own lives, who want to use you all the time (maybe because they were used by others time ago). That kind of people I call <<Great Dictators>>. Maybe all of us we have a Little Dictator inside us, but not all of us become a Great Dictator. It´s so important the communication among persons, so important the sociability… from time to time, because one reason or other, the devil is winning to the angel of their soul.
The stupidity killed the Fanstasy
Posted by admin on Monday, October 29, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Why some people try to destroy us and why we give them the opportunity to do it?
You had great ideas, you had special ideas. Probably too much ideas in your head. You used to think that everything was easier than it really is. But you realized that´s not true. An maybe, who knows, you couldn´t make them a real thing, they were just ilusion, or it wasn´t the correct moment for it. Time is very important, more than other staff.
Of course you´ve changed with the time, now you´re different, and don´t become depressive, because I´m sure you are a better person now. So think in the positive way, don´t get sick because a small reason. Think only about the important, don´t make yourself lost.
And I tell you this because I know that you´re a person, like me, like your neighbour, like your girlfriend/boyfriend, husband/wife, like your mate, like your friend, like your teacher… because I am a person like you are, and I know how hard it sometimes is to live in this world, full of falseness, lies and stupidity everywhere. And you must know that you also are part of it, you´re not perfect and you must give you an oportunity, and give oportunities to others. But be yourself: ALWAYS.
The changing process needs time, happening in a natural way, without the stress of our lifes, so don´t expect have a total change from one day to the next. And don´t pay attention to <DREAM KILLERS>. Yes, because I realized that some people in this world, they gave up on their own dreams, and they´re only happy destroying the deams of others. Or probably they spent lots of energies in order to get their dreams, and in their frustration they wanna destroy yours.
I did things that I never suposed I could do. Maybe I wasn´t prepared for it, maybe I was afraid about it. But I´m toattly happy believing that a change is possible.
Don´t allow the stupidity kills the fantasy inside you. You´re harder, and then you´ll be alive while your deams will be alive inside you.
Believe in you, be pacient, don´t permit others keeping you down. Trust yourself.
Vanatori Neamt Natural Park
Posted by admin on Sunday, September 23, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Vanatori Neamt Natural Park (Neamt)
1. Location
47°09′18″N 26°12′07″
The Vânători-Neamţ Natural Park (Romanian: Parcul Natural Vânători Neamţ) is situated in north-east Romania, in Neamţ County. It is one of the few places where the European bison (Bison bonasus) can be seen.
The aurochs head (“cap de bour” in Romanian) is the heraldic symbol of the historical province of Moldavia, although the aurochs (now extinct) was a separate species from the European bison.
2. Atractions
One of most interesting national park in Romania I can bet . Because, This National Park is one of few places in Europe that you can able to see Bisons ( Bison Bonasus ).
Vanatori Neamt overspreads the area like 308. 4 km squares. Vanatori Neamt is where you can find all sort of wild animals from smallest till biggest. What we found in Vanatori Neamt :
* Small a kind of Deer ( Caprior )
* Big masculine deer ( Cerb Carpatin )
* Bisons ( Zimbri )
What Romanian people call as “ Dragos Voda” ( Dragos water ) is a big legend that is regarding to Romanian prince Dragos. According to legend, Dragos was a prince who was hunting “ Bisons” with his dogs.
3. Where we slept
We stayed in Vanatori Neamt for one night. The Best option for staying is Cabana “ Chitele” that is 25 km away from road but still belongs to Vanatori Neamt National Park. This Chalet has 5 double
rooms, one kitchen, one big hall, bathroom and generator. You can reach to this Chalet by car with easy. One person costs less than 25 lei . This chalet is totally made of wood and located in a village called “ Cracaoan “.
Ceahlau National Park (Neamt)
Posted by admin on Sunday, September 23, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Ceahlau National Park (Neamt)
1. Location
46.955°N 25.9457°E
Ceahlau National Park (Neamt) is one of the most notorious mountains of Romania.
It is part of the Bistriţa Mountains range of theEastern Carpathians division, in Neamţ County, in the Moldavia region. The two most important peaks are Toaca (1904 m altitude) and Ocolaşul Mare (1907 m altitude). It is bounded to the east by the Bistriţa River and Lake Bicaz, to the south by the Bicaz River. From the south, the main access point is the village ofIzvorul Muntelui, located 12 km north from the town of Bicaz. To the north, Mount Ceahlău is also accessible from Durău.
There are many legends about the Ceahlău Massif and speculations regarding its possible reverence for the ancient Dacians; as a consequence it is often called “The Romanian Olympus.”
2. Atractions
- Duruitoarea waterfall
- Panaghia rock
- Piatra Lată din Ghedeon rock formation
- Ocolaşul Mic Peak
- Dochia Rock
- Turnul lui Butu Stone
- Poiana Maicilor (engl: Nuns‘ glade)
- Poiana Stănile
- Poliţa cu crini protected area
- Gardul Stănilelor
1. Cabana Izvorul Muntelui ( 797 m ) – Curmãtura Lutu Rosu ( 1020 m ) – Piatra cu Apã – Detunatele – Cabana Dochia ( 1750 m );
Marcaj: punct albastru + bandã albastrã;
Diferenta de nivel: 953 m ;
Timp de parcurs: 3h-3h30′
2. Cabana Izvorul Muntelui ( 797 m ) – Curmãtura Lutu Rosu ( 1020 m ) – Pârâul Izvorul Alb – Stânca Dochiei ( 1185 m ) – Jgheabul cu Hotar – Cabana Dochia ( 1750 m )
Marcaj: punct albastru + triunghi albastru
Diferenta de nivel: 953 m;
Timp de parcurs: 3h30′-4h
3. Cabana Izvorul Muntelui ( 797 m ) – Poiana Maicilor ( 1328 m ) – Clãile lui Miron – Piatra Latã – Cabana Dochia ( 1750 m );
Marcaj: banda rosie
Diferenta de nivel: 953 m;
Timp de parcurs: 6h-7h
4. Statiunea Durãu ( 800 m ) – Cabana Fîntînele ( 1220 m ) – Cabana Dochia ( 1750 m )
Marcaj: banda rosie
Diferenta de nivel: 950m;
Timp de parcurs: 3h-3h30′
5. Statiunea Durau ( 800 m ) – Poiana Viezuri ( 1195 m ) – Cascada Duruitoarea ( 1250 m ) – Poiana Scãius ( 1400 m ) – Curmãtura Piciorul Schiop – Cabana Dochia ( 1750 m )
Marcaj: cruce rosie
Diferenta de nivel: 950 m
Timp de parcurs: 4h30′-5h
6. Satul Neagra ( 540 m ) – Curmatura Vãratec ( 1335 m ) – Poiana Maicilor ( 1326 m ) – Clãile lui Miron – Cabana Dochia ( 1750 m ) ;
Marcaj: cruce albastrã
Diferenta de nivel: 1210 m
Timp de parcurs: 6h-7h
3. Where we slept
When the night comes, it is very important to find a good place to sleep on Ceahlau. Because, even in summer temperature is getting down up to 5-6 degrees at nights. You should care of your body. it is not enough to drink something hot. When we were in Ceahlau, it was nearly 1-2 degrees may be lesser. So then, we’ve climbed till 1750 m and found that amazing Cabana. We call there as “ Cabana Dochia” . The best option for you to stay if you go to Ceahlau massif for more than 1 day. The prices are perfect and too low. It is commendable that you stay in one room ( camere ) and pay 20 Ron per person for 2 beds or if you’re crowded group that can’t fit into the room, then you can take 4 rooms with 7 persons capacity and paying 30 Ron per person. In this Caban, it is allowed to bring some stuff for eating from outside. At the same time, this Caban has a rich menu option for delicious meal.
Cheile Bicazului – Hasmas National Park
Posted by admin on Sunday, September 23, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Cheile Bicazului – Hasmas National Park (Bicaz)
1. Location
Cheile Bicazului – Hăşmaş (Bicaz Gorges – Hăşmaş Mountains) National Park is located in north-eastern Romania, in the Eastern Carpathians mountain chain. The reservation territory is part of Neamţ and Harghita counties. The most important points in the national park are Lacul Rosu, Bicaz river canyon and Hasmas mountains. Hasmas is 1792 m high. One of most beautiful peak view in the Romania country. The park area of 6575 ha is divided into two zones: the special conservation zone (78%), and the protection zone (22%).
2. Principle atractions
Lacul Rosu is really an amazing place and it´s visited from Gheorgheni village. Bicaz canyon, by other hand is visited from Bicaz village, in the other extreme of the park.
Route nr. 1
The Pangarati Path (1255) – the Loduj Saddle (1325) – the Medias Peak (1445) – the vf. Calului Clearing (1500) – the Ciofronca Clearing (1550) – La Tunzerie (1435) – the touristic crossroad at Poiana Alba (1460) – Poiana Alba (1500) – Curmatura (1650) – the Curmatura Saddle (1465) – the Lonely Stone Chalet (1504) – the Ecem Crevice(1690) – the Ecem Peak (1690) – the Lic Saddle (1525) – the Tarcau Peak (1418) – the Tarcau Saddle (1297)
| Marking: the red line |
 |
Duration: 8 hours.
Distance: 22 km.
Level difference: 435 m, and in wintertime it is difficult to take this route. It should be divided into two parts.
The route starts from the Pangarati Path (1255 m) DN 12C. From the road that climbs the western slope of the crest there is a nice scenery showing a great part of the Gheorgheni Basin. After 15 minutes of climbing we pass by the sheep pen of the Loduj Saddle. From here cars cannot pass forth. There follows a short distance of even surface, then there begins the climbing of the Medias Peak. After 1.5 km the road bends to the left right before the Peak and heads eastwards in the direction of Vf. Calului Clearing. It is also from here that the red cross marked route starts. After six hours of walk, having passed through Covacipeter, the Saratura Hill, the Highesul Corner and the Black Mountain, the route reaches Izvorul Muresului.
After 800 meters we reach the Vf. Calului Clearing where we have to change direction right under the peak, towards south. After a long climb of 1.5 km we reach the spring from the Ciofronca Clearing. From here it is worth making a detour on an unmarked route to the Ciofronca Peak, from where we can get a bird’s eye view of the whole route and the surrounding mountains. After we leave the Ciofronca Clearing by walking 200 meters and passing by a pen, we go downhill towards the swampy clearing of Tunzerie. We walk for another 600 meters on DJ 125, then we leave it and after another 650 meters we reach the tourist crossroad from Poiana Alba. From here we can continue our walk in 3 directions : on the blue line marking through the valley of the Oaia brook, reaching Lacu Rosu (route nr. 9), the blue dot leads us also to Lacu Rosu, through the Tausor Clearing and the Clearing of Paleu (route nr. 8) and the crest route of the Hasmasul Mare Mountain, marked with a red line, leads to the Lonely Stone and the Tarcau Saddle. From Poiana Alba we keep walking towards south – east, we pass by a mineral water brook and a pen and we start climbing the rocky road towards the upper plateau of Poiana Alba. From here we can make a 1 km detour eastwards, on an unmarked path, to Teleacul Mare (1698 m) and to Groapa Ursilor (Bears’ Ditch) (1650 m, 57 m depth). We leave the plateau towards the south. Before reaching the Kupu spring, near a small lake the marking descends in the valley of the Fierul brook. From here one can reach on an unmarked path the village Trei Fantani (Three Wells), which is at a 5 km distance. We continue our route on the road marked with the red line towards the Dantiasul Peak. The tourist route gradually goes uphill. This is the biggest ascent on the route and it ends in the Hasmasul Mare Path. It is worth making a detour on the Hasmasul Mare Peak (1792 m), on an unmarked road of 800 meters westwards. After 500 meters we walk through the clearing, then the road enters a forest. After 600 meters we reach close to the edge of the rock wall from where we have a rarely seen view. We enter the forest again and we descend on the Curmatura Saddle. We pass under the Lonely Stone and in less than 15 minutes we arrive at the chalet. From here we have several options to continue our way: on the blue line marking to Balan ; on the red triangle through the valley of the Sep brook, also to Balan ; on the marking of the main crest, the red line, through the Ecem Peak to the Tarcaului Saddle, and then on the crest of Ciucului Mountains. We will take this latter option. After 400 meters we pass through the saddle from the direction of the Lonely Stone and the Shepherd Peak, then we climb on the clearing of the Ecem Peak. Once here it is worth going to the edge of the rock, to the point of belvedere from the secondary peak (1696m). After 600 meters we reach the Ecem Peak (1707 m) which is also a belvedere point. We continue our walk towards south east and we reach the forest, after we descend in the Lic Saddle. From here to the Tarcau Saddle we must pay attention because the markings are old and scarce. After about 1.5 km we reach above the Saddle and we only have 900 meters more to descend and we reach the border of the Hasmas Mountain, the Tarcau Saddle.
Route nr. 2
The center of the Lacu Rosu resort (967 m) – The Stone Balcony (1007 m)- The Road of Marton Ferenc – the trout pond (993m)- the landing place (983 m)- the center of the Lacu Rosu resort (967 m) (a cyclical route)
| Marking: red cross |
 |
Duration: 1 hour.
Distance: 3,5 km.
Level difference: 40 meters, easy walk.
We start from the Lacu Rosu restaurant. Here, between the restaurant and the general stores is the place where the resort’s routes converge. Behind the Lacu Rosu Motel, on a well trodden path we enter the forest. Then the one and only slope of the route comes. After about 250 meters of climbing we reach the Stone Balcony. It is one of the most beautiful belvedere points of the resort, at about 15 – 20 meters above the water surface. After the Stone Balcony the path still rises a little and then parallels the banks of the lake and we can descend to its edge. Here the blue cross and the red cross markings separate. Our marking leads us along the Suhard Brook towards Piatra Licas. The route continues on a forester road named after Ferenc Marton, citizen of Gheorgheni, the one who built this road. The next point worth to be mentioned is the Stone Gate. This gate, similarly to its counterpart from the Bicaz Gorges, got its present shape after the explosions performed to build the road. From the Stone Gate we have to walk only a few hundred meters until we reach the trout pond. From here there is an asphalt road through the forest up to the Bors Villa (about 300 m). The wooden bridge at the end of the lake once crossed the Small Lake (Lacul Mic) but this lake has in the meantime been filled with alluvion. There is undergrowth now where the lake had once been. We follow the marking on the east bank and after 800 meters we reach the Villa Debarcader (Ranova) From the landing place we can rent boats for 4 – 6 people in the May – September period and we can go boating on the lake. The route comes to its end with the crossing of the natural barrage that closed the valley, crashing down from the Ghilcos Stone. Passing by the souvenir sellers we reach our point of departure.
Route nr. 3
The center of the Lacu Rosu resort (967 m) – The Bucur Villa (990 m) – The Suhard Chalet (1091 m)- The Suhard Saddle (1202)- the Suhardul Mic Peak(1345 m)
| Marking: the blue triangle |
 |
Duration: 1 1/4 hours.
Distance: 3 km.
Level difference: 378m, accessible all year round.
We start the route in front of the Lacu Rosu restaurant. We walk the first 200 m on the DN 12C, then we cross the Bicazul bridge and we head towards the Bucur Villa.
The villa is the oldest tourist building in the resort, built in 1926. It was with this building that touristic activity started in the resort. A little farther the asphalt road ends and up to the Suhard Chalet we climb on a metalled road. From here the path leads us under the southern wall of the Suhardul Mic. It is from here that the alpinism routes start in different directions. The path rises to the Suhard Saddle. Here we come across the route marked with the yellow line. This road rises from the Cupas brook.
Before going forth toward the Suhardul Mic, we can take a side drift of about 1.1 km to the Suhardul Mare. From the Saddle, on an unmarked path, along the Suhard skislope we can reach to Suhardul Mare in 25 minutes. Suhardul Mare (1505m) is a point of belvedere.
From the Suhardul Saddle we pass through a forest and after 400 meters of steep slope we reach the Suhardul Mic Plateau. Here we come across a view of unique beauty on the resort, on the Valea Oii branch of Lacu Rosu and on the neighbouring peaks. With a little luck we will be able to see the chamois too.
Route nr. 4
The center of the Lacu Rosu resort (967m) – the Bicaz Gorges – the gorges of Bicazul Mic – the road of Surduc – the Red Stone Saddle (1011 m) – Lacu Rosu (967 m) (a circular route)
| Marking: a yellow line |
 |
Duration: 3-4 hours.
Distance: 10 km.
Level difference: 44m, accessible all year round.The crossing of Bicazul Mic in rainy weather or in winter/springtime can cause problems.
We start from the Lacu Rosu Restaurant. We walk the first few hundred meters across the inner-city area of the resort. After we pass by the entrance to the Raza Soarelui Villa, we descend to the Bicaz Gorges. The entrance to the Gorges is marked by the Turnul Portii and Fagetul Ciucului rocks. The Bicaz brook runs in a valley which is bordered by rock walls with a height between 100 and 350 meters. Right next to the entrance, on the left bank, there is the Fairies Garden, a specific rock formation, the favourite habitat for chamois. Opposite to it there starts the most important mountaineering route from Fagetul Ciucului, Lacrima Stancii (The Tear of the Rock). After a short while we reach the double bridge at the mouth of the Cupas brook (944m) which marks the start for the routes nr. 5 and 6, and at the same time the entry to the Cupas Canyon. The Suhard cave is nearby (route nr. 5). This is the only one known cave in the Suhardul Mic. On the next route segment DN 12C departs from the waters of Bicaz and winds between the Cupas and Fagetul Ciucului crests until it reaches the Stone Gate. The Stone Gate, similar to its counterpart near Lacu Rosu – has been formed as a result of the explosions used for road building. It is from here that route nr. 7 starts, a route leading to the resort, and it is also the starting point for route nr. 16 which leads to Piatra Maria. These routes start from Drumul Vararilor, a forester road to the right. From here one can already see the Stone of the Shrine, a rock formation where climbers often “hang” on the vertical wall. Then there come the small serpentines, the first two serpentines from the Bicaz Gorges. Here we pass by the only houses from the Gorges. At present the Marta Villa, some wooden houses and certain camping places are the only accomodation offers in the Gorges. The first to have been able to escaladate the difficult Stone of the Shrine were two young people from Brasov: Ervin Csallner and Waldemar Goldschmidt (1934), but the real hero is Zoltan Keresztes from Joseni, who climbed the wall barefooted and in Seckler folk costume. We leave the only inhabited place in the gorges (km 29) and we soon reach the old tunnel dug in the rock, next to which another, moder tunnel has been dug in recent years. Opposite to it, the water of Bicaz runs the biggest fall portions from the gorges, with numerous smaller waterfalls. The mouth of the Lapos brook is here too, the Surduc of which is one of the most spectacular routes (route nr. 15) in the region. After we leave the dark and wet tunnel there begins Serpentina Mare, on the northern slope of Piatra Maria. The road descends more than 50 meters. After Serpentina Mare there starts the Gate of Hell (Poarta Iadului) the point in which Piatra Maria and the Bardocz Wall almost touch each other. Only 150 meters lower is Tarnatul Iadului (Hell’s Porch). From here one can see The Stone of the Shrine, the Bardocz Wall, the Black Tower, the rocky formation of Piatra Maria and the rocks from Piatra Surducului. Here starts the trade zone of the gorges. From the unfinished bridge at the mouth of the Bicazul Mic brook (the so – called Bridge of the Hungarians) the marking leaves DN 12C and ascends to the Bicazul Mic Gorges. From here starts Hell’s Throat (Gatul Iadului), the narrowest portion of the Gorges, guarded on the right by Piatra Surducului and on the left by the Bardocz Wall. Over the left bank of Bicaz we can admire the Watchtower (Turnul de Paza) and the Stone Tent (Cortul de Piatra), two very interesting rock formations. Lower, to the right we can see the Reservation and the Lost World, two natural reservations, the last place of refuge for certain plants like Taxus baccata. This is a place accessible only for mountain climbers.
Under the Reservation, at kilometer stone nr. 31 is the narrowest point of the gorges, at only 800 meters from their edge. It has 2 benchmarks: the Waterfall cave to the left, above the last bridge of the gorges and a little lower the Maria spring.Leaving the gorges at the mouth of the Bardocz brook, we come across the Villa of Hell, an important place for accomodation, that burnt to the ground in the 1940s. If we follow the yellow line marking, we cross the bridge and continue our walk along the left bank of the Bicazul Mic brook. After 200 meters we reach the Bardocz brook.
In summertime, when the weather is fine, crossing is not a problem but in the other periods crossing can be difficult, if not impossible. The tourist path ascends on the right bank, under Piatra Surducului, among small cliffs. These cliffs are the result of the fall of a part of the cliff’s wall a few years ago. A steep ascent follows in a forested region, after which we reach the south – eastern slope of Piatra Surducului. After a few meters of side drift we can reach the belvedere point of Bicajel.
We come back to the yellow line marking and the path descends through a birch forest to the valley of the Cighenilor brook, which is full of waterfalls. From here we must climb 400 meters to reach the Surducului clearing. At this route segment the marking is almost non – existent. The rout ascends to the peak of Surducul Mic (950 m). At the place called Capraria we reach the old road of Surduc. After a comfortable 1 kilometer walk,taking a side drift to the south we reach again the valley of the Bicazul Mic brook. We can cross the brook at the southern end of its gorges on a small wooden bridge. We cross the small grove and climb the steep road of Surduc. Its route is difficult because of the fences, but at the end of the clearing we come across the forester road Bicajel. This place is called Poiana Vararilor by the local people, from here starts to the right the Vararilor Road, marked with the yellow triangle (route nr. 7). From here we ascend to the Red Stone Saddle (1011 m). We cross the saddle and we come back to Harghita county, and shortly after that to the Lacu Rosu resort.
Route nr. 5
The mouth of the Cupas brook (944m) – the Cupas valley – the mouth of the Cupasul Mic brook (962 m) – the Road of Lapos (1435 m)
| Marking: the blue dot |
 |
Duration: 2 hours.
Distance: 7 km.
Level difference: 491 meters, accessible on foot all year round, and accessible by car all year round, except for winter.
We start from the mouth of the Cupas brook, at a 1.8 km distance from the Lacu Rosu resort and we follow almost all the way through the Cupas forester road. At the beginning the blue dot and red cross markings go together. The road climbs smoothly through the Cupas gorges. To the right we pass by a stone and from here, at a distance of about 250 meters, the red cross marking leaves the forester road and ascends towards north on a wide path oriented northwards.
After we leave the gorges the valley becomes larger and after a few minutes we reach the forest district at the mouth of the Cupasul Mic brook. 180 meters higher, at the place where we can cross the brook easier, there begins the tourist path marked with a yellow line, that ascends to the Suhard Saddle. 600 meters higher the Cartofului brook flows into the Cupas, opposite a stone quarry. Higher, at the mouth of the Meterfa brook we pass by a hunting observation point. From here there is a forester road heading towards north. After 20 minutes we reach the mouth of the Danturas brook and after 800 meters the rebuilt segment of the route ends. From here we have a closed blue dot marking. The more and more steep forester road guides us for 1.4 km. It is followed by a a path that ascends steeply and leads us behind the Danturasul Stone, on the Lapos road, where we come across the tourist route marked by the blue line. From here we start southwards (to the left) and within 2 hours we reach the Pangarati Path. If we head towards north in 20 minutes we reach the La Vinkli Valley.
Route nr. 6
The mouth of the Cupas brook (944m) – The base of the Cupas mountain (1080 m)- the Bicaz Gorges (km 29) (850 m)
| Marking: red cross |
|
| and from the base of the Cupas mountain, red dot |
 |
Duration: 1 oră.
Distance: 3 km.
Level difference: 136 m, easy walk.
As in the case of route nr. 5, we start from the mouth of the Cupas brook. On the first 400 meters we ascend the same road marked with the red cross, and blue dot, on the forester road in the valley of the brook. At 250 meters after the roadside stone cross we take a right turn and climb between the cliffs, on a wide path through the forested portion to the north. We soon come out of the cliffs and we reach to a village road. After about 500 meters of climbing from the last cliffs, in a small clearing we come across the red dot marking (route nr. 14) The place is called Coltul Cupasului or Fundul Cupasului.
The path descends towards south east to what once was the Cheile Bicazului chalet.
The route ends on DN 12C under the Stone of the Shrine. From here we can ascend to the Lacu Rosu resort (3 km) or descend to the edge of the Bicaz Gorges (2 km).
Route nr. 7
The Center of Lacu Rosu resort (967 m) – the Red Stone Saddle (1011 m) – Drumul Vararilor – the Tifra Saddle (1002 m) – the Bicaz Gorges (850m)
| Marking: the yellow triangle |
 |
Duration: 1 hour.
Distance: 3,5 km.
Level difference: 44m, easy walk.
We start from the center of the resort on the route, which is an easy walk. We pass the DN 12C, and passing by the one and only block of flats in the resort we enter the Bicajel forester road. This road is mostly the same as the former road of Surduc. After a moderate ascent of 800 meters we reach the back of Raza Soarelui Villa, from where we have a lovely view on the cliffs from Suhardul Mic, the Fairies Garden and the southern and north – eastern wall of Fagetul Ciucului.
We soon reach the Red Stone Saddle and the St. John Orthodox Church, built not long ago. Up to this point, the yellow triangle, yellow line and red triangle markings go together (routes nr. 7, 4, 11). At the end of the skislope the red triangle marking continues its way towards south – east to the right. The yellow line and yellow triangle markings continue their way together. After the saddle we enter the region of Bicajel small village. We descend 700 meters up to the first important turning of the road, being already on the territory of Neamt county, here the two routes separate. The yellow line marking descends straight ahead on the almost impracticable road of Surduc, in the valley of Bicazul Mic. The yellow triangle marking turns to the left, on the Drumul Vararilor, towards north. We continue our way on the eastern slope of Fagetul Ciucului at the edge of the Flowers Clearing. We have 650 meters until we reach the Tifra Saddle (1002) From here we can climb an unmarked path to the Maria Stone belvedere point. The clearing soon ends and the road enters the forest reaching under the western wall of Maria Stone, under the mountaineering routes Ficsur and Derby 67. Here the road is closed by the rock falls. We have to descend for about 15 minutes until we reach DN 12C, between the Stone Gate and the Small Serpentines. The distance from the Lacu Rosu resort and this point is only 3 km long.
Route nr. 8
Lacu Rosu(landing place) (983 m) – Paleu’s Clearing(1242 m) – the Red Beech (1390m) – the Szaraz Tok Clearing (1530m) – the Piatra Cherecului peak (1580 m) – the White Clearing (1460 m)
| Marking: the blue dot |
|
Duration: 4 1/2 hours.
Distance: 10 km.
Level difference: 597 meters, almost impracticable in wintertime.
We start from the Lacu Rosu landing place and we ascend for a few minutes to the Hasmasul Mare Villa. We ascend steeply in the forest until we reach the small houses under the Ghilcos Stone. We then walk to the Ghilcos Saddle (1270 m). From the Clearing of Paleu the rocky road turns towards south – east, alongside with the blue dot and red dot markings. After a few minutes, near the forester mark VIII/92 we reach to a road – fork. The red dot marking descends in less than 30 minutes into the valley of Oii brook, while we continue our way to the intersection of the White Clearing routes.
We continue our walk at the edge of the Red Beech clearing, and at its upper end we enter the forest. Here we suddenly turn to the left and we ascend 800 meters until we reach a dense forest. The Szaraz – Tok Clearing follows and from here we can take a side drift to the Three Entrance Cave, accessible only with mountaineering equipment. This cave is 100 meters westwards from the route.
We take a smooth 35 minutes walk upwards, until we reach a small clearing, where the road ends.. From here we take the path that ascends the saddle between the Hasmasul Negru and Piatra Cherecului (1580 m). From here the road goes towards south – west and passes under the Round Mountain peak in the Barsan Clearing. From here, with a side drift of 600 meters we can climb the Hasmasul Negru peak (1773 m). We descend the saddle for about 15 minutes and we reach the Barsan Clearing and after one more kilometer we reach the White Clearing, under the Horseshoe Clearing. From here, through the La Tunzerie Saddle and Ciofronca, the red line marking leads us to the Pangarati Path (route nr. 1), or in the opposite direction, through the Hasmasul Mare to the Lonely Stone chalet, or on the route with the blue line marking to the Lacu Rosu resort (route nr. 9).
Route nr. 9
The center of Lacu Rosu resort (967 m) – the Sheep Valley – the mouth of the Hasmas brook (1130 m) – the Horseshoe Stone (1450 m) – the intersection of routes from the White Clearing (1460 m)
| Marking: the blue line |
 |
Duration: 2 1/2 hours.
Distance: 8 km.
Level difference: 493 meters accessible all year round.
We start from the Lacu Rosu restaurant, we pass through the parking lot at the back of the landing place, from where route nr. 8 starts too. We follow the route of the highway until we reach the forester road of Paraul Oii, close to the kilometer stone nr. 24. From here we can ascend 2.5 km more on the highway to the Heroes’ Graveyard. The forester road ascends on the valley of the Sheep brook and we arrive at the cross that marks the beginning of the tourist route nr. 12. We go past a house and enter the forest where a more difficult ascent is waiting for us. After 15 minutes we pass by a sheep pen and we soon reach the bridge of the Hasmas brook. Here we leave the forester road. It is here that starts the tourist road that goes through the valley of the Sheep brook and reaches the Ciofronca Clearing. From the vicinity of the brook the blue line marking ascends to the crest between the sheep brook and Hasmas brook, on a country lane. After a 200 meters ascent we reach a belvedere point. The steep ascent continues and after a short while it turns to the right and enters the forest. We arrive at a forested crest and in 15 minutes’ time we arrive under the Horseshoe Stone, the corner of the White Clearing. From here we take the road already known from the description of the previous route.
Route nr. 10
The center of the Lacu Rosu resort (967 m) – The Stone Balcony (1007) – the valley of the Suhard brook – the Licas stone (1675 m) – the carstic cave Licos (1650 m)
| Marking: the blue cross |
 |
Duration: 4 hours.
Distance: 6 km.
Level difference: 708 m, almost impracticable during wintertime.
This route starts from the center of the station. From the mouth of the Suhard brook to the edge of the Lacu Rosu this route is identical to route nr. 2. From here we follow the forester road from the valley of the brook. We pass by a forest range and we walk until we reach the end of the road (1 km). Up to here we can take a car drive too. From here we take a larger path also in the valley of the brook.
After 500 meters of ascent the valley becomes wider. We reach a clearing and here the brook passes through a swampy region. We soon reach the source of the brook from where the tourist marking leads to the west on a hunter path. We reach the Licas Saddle (1461 m) and we pass by a sheep pen. The marking heads towards north – west and ascends to the Piatra Licas peak (1675 m). At only 200 meters north – east from the peak, at an altitude of 1650 meters we come across the vertical cave Avenul Licas, the one and only cave known in the region. It can be accessed only with mountaineering equipment.
Route nr. 11
The Center of Lacu Rosu resort (967 m) – the Red Stone Saddle – the Ghilcos Clearing – the Belvedere Ghilcos Stone (1378 m)
| Marking: the red triangle |
 |
Duration: 2 hours.
Distance: 4 km.
Level difference: 411 m, accessible all year round.
We start from the center of the resort on the Bicajel forester road, along the skislope. Before the road reaches the Red Stone Saddle, an almost impracticable rocky road ascends to the right, very steeply, followed by the red triangle. We climb through the forest and after a few hundred meters we turn to the right. After a few other hundred meters the road turns to the left. In a few minutes we reach the forester mark nr. VIII / 20 and we reach the Ghilcos Clearing. We pass through the clearing towards south – west. We pass by the ruins of a building and we reach the belvedere point Piatra Ghilcos (1378 m). If we want to climb the highest peak in the region, the Ghilcos peak (1408 m) we must walk 1 km eastward, but because the peak is forested, there is not much we can see there.
Route nr. 12
The Valley of the Sheep Brook (1012 m) – Paleu’s Clearing (1242 m) – Jgheabului Clearing – the valley of the Jgheabul Cherecului brook – the small village Bicajel (885)
| Marking: the red point |
|
Duration: 2 hours.
Distance: 4,3 km.
Level difference: 230 meters, accessible all year round.
If we start from the resort the first part of the route is identical to route nr. 9. From the cross that is at a 1,1 km distance from the beginning of the forester road we climb a country road, which soon passes by a forest district. After 30 minutes we reach Paleu’s Clearing, where, near the forester mark VIII/92 we come across the blue dot marking, that leads to the White Clearing.
We soon reach the Jgheabului Clearing and the blue dot marking leaves the valley of the Jgheabul Cherecului brook and it continues to the north, following route nr. 7, and leads back to the resort.
From the forking of the routes marked by the red dot and the blue dot it is worth taking a side drift to Piatra Cherecului. Then we come back in the valley of the Jgheabul Cherecului brook. After 1.5 km we reach the place called La Bechet from where we descend in a few minutes to the bridge of Bicazul Mic, which marks the end of the marked path. In summer time, those who are not afraid of the cold water, can descend the Duruitoare Gorges or La Cascada, where the waterfalls will refresh them.
Route nr. 13
The Lacu Rosu (landing place) (983 m) – the Ghilcos Clearing (1210 m) – the Ghilcos Stone (Belvedere) (1378 m)
| Marking: he blue dot |
|
Duration: 2 hours.
Distance: 3,5 km.
Level difference: 395 m, accessible all year round.
We start from the parking lot behind the landing place. The first part of the route, up to the Ghilcos Clearing is identical to route nr. 8. The lane ascends steeply on the only extant route on the Ghilcos Stone. From the separation point at 200 meters we arrive at a source. From here the path turns northward and after an ascent of 20 minutes we reach the belvedere point Ghilcos Stone (1378 m). It is here that we come across the red triangle marking of route nr. 11, route that we can walk to reach back to the resort.
Duration: 3 hours.
Distance: 5 km.
Level difference: 425 meters, difficult to walk in wintertime.
We start from the kilometer stone nr. 29 of the highway DN 12C. We walk through the Gorges, guided by the red triangle marking, which starts from the Floarea de Colt (Edelweis) Villa (burnt down) towards north – east. The more and more steep path ascends the mixed forest (resinuous and broad-leaved forests. After 200 meters we reach the most spectacular waterfall of the Lapos brook. After 600 meters we pass under the Lapos – Kucsma cliff. On the other side of the brook the horizon is covered by the western wall of the Shrine of the Stone. Following the steep tourist path we soon leave the Canyon. Gradually the path leads under the rocky wall of the Cupas Stone, and opposite it the Lapos Stone (the Bardocz Stone) guards the path.
The route is made more difficult by the numerous fir tree trunks uprooted by the storms,but we are helped by many guiding signs. Soon the ascent becomes easier and then the path descends along the brook. We come across another spectacular waterfall and then we leave the canyon under the rocks that seem to hang over our heads. Near the houses of Cupas the road drifts to the left, then ascends for about 500 meters, drifting again to the left and ascends the the Cupas Neck (1275 m) at the forester mark VIII / 430. We descend the clearing at the back of Cupas and we walk on the path marked by the red cross, then by the red dot, to the place where we have started from.
Route nr. 16
Bicaz Gorges (850 m) – the Tifra Saddle (1002 m) – the belvedere point on the southern wall (1060 m) – the Maria Stone (1048 m)
| Marking: the yellow triangle |
|
From Tifra Saddle on there is no marking. |
Duration: 1 1/2 hour.
Distance: 2,5 km.
Level difference: 210 meters, accessible all year round.
We start from the Bicaz Gorges, from the place where there once was the Edelweis Villa. We climb the Small Serpentine until we get near the Stone Gate, on the route marked with the yellow triangle, from the starting point of the road through the forest. We climb to the Tifra Saddle with the guidance of the yellow triangle marking. We can reach this place taking other routes as well, from the center of the resort and following the same yellow triangle marking.
In the Tifra saddle, on the side of the road we can see the ruins of a house. At its back we ascend a steep rocky path towards north – east. After we reach the plateau of the peak, we come across a path that leads us to the belvedere point towards the Bicazul Mic Gorges This is the belvedere point of the southern wall (1060 m). We go back to the path, cross the plateau and descend on the saddle which is at an altitude of 1021 meters. From here we walk about 200 meters towards north – east, to the Maria Stone, the belvedere point on the north – eastern wall (1048 m). The Bicazul Mic brook flows in the Bicazul Mare brook, 300 meters below where we are.
Route nr. 17
Izvoru Oltului – Balan – The Lonely Stone Chalet
| Marking: the blue strip |
|
Duration: 3-3,5 hours
The route starts from the Izvoru Oltului railway station, from where one can travel to Balan (at a 12 km distance) by bus. The marking of the route towards the Lonely Stone chalet starts from the church which is in the middle of the town. The duration of the route corresponds to the taking of the complete route on foot. From Balan to the chalet this amounts to about 1 hour, 1 hour and a half. The ascent to the Lonely Stone starts from the church, where there is a marking pole with an arrow. Ascending towards north east along the Covaci brook we walk on the road that leaves the town. At its end there is the marked path contoured first along the valley and then on a mountain foot. It is marked by marking poles. The ascent towards the chalet continues across a spruce forest disrupted at times by glades, with a nice view on the Varful Ascutit (the old name Ecem, 1707 m). At its bottom one can see large pebblestone fields. On its last segment the path leads us alongside inclined slopes leading at times to open spaces. From there one can see the imposing body of the Lonely Stone (improperly named as the Unique Stone). About 15 minutes prior to reaching the chalet, where the walk seems to be more difficult, we reach the region of the springs. This region marks the point of contact between the crystaline rocks and the lime. The source is a good opportunity for a little rest after the effort of taking this last segment of the route. The last few hundred meters that separate us from the chalet are easier to be walked after the short rest, especially that the landscape, more and more interesting as we advance, makes one curious.
Route nr. 18
The Tarcau railway station – Lunca de Jos (village)- the Nascalat peak – the Lonely Stone chalet
| Marking: the Tarcau station – Lunca de Jos – the Condra cross – the red cross |
|
| the Condra cross – the Lonely Stone chalet – the red strip |
|
Duration: 7 hours
The Tarcau station is on the Adjud – Ciceu line at a 120 km distance from Adjud and 29 km distance from Ciceu. The described route represents the way to access the Hasmas Mountain and it is especially recommended to tourists coming from Moldavia. The first signs of the road (red cross) start from the Tarcau station. They first lead to the asphalt highway and then to the communal road along the bank of the Trotus. Soon the road curves to the right, leaves the Trotus river and enters the Dark Valley. We walk for 4 km among the houses of the Dark Valley village then we leave the village through its northern gate and ascend to the confluence of the Mogyoros brook with the Hotarul brook. The left bank of the Hotarul brook has a cart road. We walk along it and pass by some huts, forested segments or places with springs. When we arrive in the clearing we take the cart road to the right. We ascend to Chinga Sei where we come across the wooden Condra cross. From here there starts the red strip marking which leads us to the Lonely Stone chalet. (13 km) From the cross one can see the grassy peak of Salamas mountain. The path, oriented towards north (left) is contoured very close to the crest. We pass by the 1501 cote, the Salamas peak (1551 meters) and, after having walked some culminations, we reach the first peak of Nascalat (1553 m). Up to this point the region is full with sheep pens. Owing to its position the Nascalat peak shows to the right a broad perspective towards the Lavardi valley, which is the western limit of the Hasmas in this region. On the other side, towards the left the Nascalat valley deepens. Continuing the route from the peak we descend along a shepherds’ path which lies on the western slope, to avoid the second Nascalat peak (1491 m) and it passes through a forested segment. Then we descend in the broad saddle. The descent takes its end in the Tarcau Clearing which lies between the Sacadat saddle and the Stancilor peak (Tarcau).
We are in a carstic region of a great scientific value. In the Tarcau Clearing we meet (coming from the left) the road that crosses the mountain from Balan in the valley of Bicajel to the Trei Fantani settlement. On a short segment we follow this road towards the right, then we turn left and follow a cart road. On it we ascend to the grassy face of the mountain. The road takes from the bottom to the peak of the Rocks (Piatra Crapata ori Tarcau) after which, with ups and downs it reaches a shepherd settlement. From here the route passes through a forested region along which there are a few mine holes. From time to time we come across clearings elongated leftwards, towards the Ecem (Brother) peak, or Piatra Ascutita (its new name) (1707 m). This is a major peak on our route. If we climb on the plateau of the Ecem mountain we will discover an interesting carstic region and we will also get a panoramic view of the Olt Valley. The last road segment descends through the forest, it then crosses a void from the crest line. When it again ascends, it goes leftwards and again enters the forest. We are led by the marking only at the descent. We finally cross a swampy region beyond which there is a source. From here, passing under the sculpture – like limestone towers of the Lonely Stone and of the sliding phenomena at their base, we arrive at the Lonely Stone.
3. Where we slept
Romania country. In Hasmas, we’ve stayed in Cabana piatra Singuratica that is located on the 1504 m altitude. This place is very confortable to sleep and to spend time with friends. The price is very cheap. You should pay 15 ron per person. There are 2 rooms by the way. Here in this Caban, you can also eat and drink something such as tea, coffee, vegetables , soup etc. So we slept there for 2 long nights.
Semenic – Cheile Carasului – Cheile Nerei – Beusnita ( Resita )
Posted by admin on Sunday, September 16, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Semenic – Cheile Carasului – Cheile Nerei – Beusnita
1. Location ( Semenic Cheile Carasului ) :
The Semenic-Cheile Caraşului National Park is a protected area (national park category II IUCN) situated in southwest Romania, in Caraş-Severin County.
The Natural Park is located in Anina Mountains and Semenic (groups mountain included in Banat Mountains), in the southwestern’s part of the country, in the middle of Caraş-Severin county.
2. Location ( Semenic Cheile Nerei Beusnita ) :
The Semenic-Cheile Nerei Beusnita National Park is a protected area (national park category II IUCN) situated in southwest Romania, in Caraş-Severin County.
3. Principle Attractions of Semenic Cheile Carasului and Nerei Beusnita National Parks :
- Hiking on marked trails
- Observation of flora and fauna
- Boating on the river and lake
- Visit the historic sites, cultural
- Climbing on specially designated routes
- Speleology
- Cycling on forest roads
- Rafting on the river Nera, spring and early summer
- Flying fox (spectacular crossing a variable height between two points with a double strings,
a system of pulleys and a rope brake)
- Booster (controlled descent on rope secured along a rock wall)
- Canyoning (crossing mountain headwaters of rivers in areas where it has a very rugged slope,
with portions of keys, narrow, sprinkled with numerous waterfalls)
- Archery
- Paintball
- Riding
The Aninei Mountains within the park have several striking peaks.
Dealu Simionului 899 m, Custura Cetatii ,Grohanul Mare 1044 m,
Varful Leordis 1159m ,Varful Plesiva 1143 mVarful Esalnata 915 m ,
Carsia Mare 1097 mand Dealu Cornetu Mare 821m.
The altitude drops to 150 meters within the Nerei Valley ,
making a difference of roughly 1,000 meters in altitude.
The region is characterized by high karstmor limestone,
plateaus that give birth to the steepslopes of multiple valleys that
have cut through stratified layers of carbon rok;
Cheile Minisului, Cheile Nerei ,Valea Beului, Valea Ciclovei ,Valea Oraviteiand Valea Cremenita.
The high karstic plateaus of Poiana Roschii ,
Poiana Lisovacea and Poiana Odobasnita contain nearly every major endo –and exokarst formation
some of which come in contact with golumbu sandstone forming springs ,
sinkholes, caves ,karst walls ,canyons and gorges.
You can stay in Beusnita National Park in those places with ease ;
Cheile Minisului Valea Minisului Camp, capacity5o,
Cheile Minisului Cerbul cabin, capacity 22, Cheile Nerei Valea Bei Cabin,
capacity12, and Poiana Roschii Roschii Cabin, capacity 40 .
( Nerei Beusnita National Parks )
The main entrances to the park are the towns Resita labalcea, Carasova, Anina, Prigor, Crivaia, Garana.
Inside the park, access is allowed on the 9 marked tourist trails and roads.
Tourist route Resita - Danube (under banda marking blue) connects to south Nera National Park - Beusnita.
It has an area of 36,214 ha with altitudes between 200 and 1447m (peak Gozna).
National Park is situated on the mountain units Anina and Honolulu,
is characteristic of the karst landscape and wooded area.
Caras Gorge and Gorge karst areas Gârlişte have over 600 caves,
83 protected species of flora,
95 species of fauna and habitats that remark many forest habitats, bogs, Petrifying springs.
Caras Gorge 200m deep, long about 19 km from visiting.
10 km, with many limestone walls and specific vegetation.
Gârlişte deep gorge 100 - 200m, visit the entire length of 9 km.
The largest area of forest quasi Europe over 5000 hectares with trees over 350 years.
Glade Pit Pit, the deepest pothole in Banat with a bump - 236m which contains a series of wells in size.
Comarnic cave with a tourist route which can be accessed I750m seen many formations
galleries and impressive size rooms, an underground river,
underground landscapes satisfaction by providing excellent "exploration".
Grat medieval fortress from which they were kept walls and ditches.
Buhui mottled and Lake Buhui
mottled Popavat
Events and traditions in villages Carasova and guarantees.
In Semenic Cheile National Park, we've stayed one night in lacul Trei ape in
" Camping Area" that is very peaceful place to stay .
There, you have 2 chances;
one is you can bring your sleeping- bag and sleep near lake in spite of the fact that the nights are so cold.
Or you can sleep in Cabana houses of Trei Ape that is such confortabkle and keeps you warm there.
For Trei Ape, you must pay more than 30 RON per person tough depending on which caban you selected.
But you will spend great night there, guaranteed and experienced.
( Semenic Cheile Carasului )
Compass Roses ( Windmills ) in Cheile Carasului
Flowers that grew in rocks – Cheile Carasului
A perfect landscape inside of Nerei Beusnita National Park.. Rocks, lake and so green trees.
Bushy Forest in Cheile Carasului National Park
Domogled- Valea Cernei National Park ( Baile Herculane )
Posted by admin on Thursday, September 13, 2012 · Leave a Comment
DOMOGLED VALEA CERNEI NATIONAL PARK
1. Location :
The National Park stretches across over Cerna Mountains and Godeanu Mountains on the right side, and over Vâlcan Mountains and Medinţi Mountains on left (in Retezat-Godeanu Mountains group, subgroup of mountains in the Southern Carpathians), in the Cerna River basin.
Domogled-Valea Cernei National Park with an area of 61.211 ha was declared protected area by the Law Number 5 of March 6, 2000 (published in Romanian Official Paper Number 152 of April 12, 2000) and represents a mountainous area (cirques, mountain peaks, sinkholes, limestone pavements, caves, pit caves, valleys, waterfalls), what shelters a large variety of flora and fauna, some of the species very rarely or endemics.
A view of Cerna River in Domogled .
2. Principle Attractions :
In the national park there are more than 30 tourist trails. By hiking these trails, one can enjoy diverse experiences, depending on your preferences. From the lowest to the highest altitudes, you will be able to experience amazing views of the surrounding mountains and the Corcoaia and Tansa gorges, as well as the park’s other natural beauties.
The national park can represent an ideal place for all people interested in flora and fauna, due to its richness in rare, endemic and protected species like chamois, lynx, and bears. Also, for those tourists who are interested in discovering local traditions, the hamlets within the park and its neighboring villages are excellent locations to fulfill curiosities regarding this matter.
The thermal caves within the national park, in Cerna Mountain, are unique and rare in Romania and the rest of the world. The environmental conditions inside the caves are similar to a tropical climate (350-450 air temperature). Due to this fact the fauna, stalactites and stalagmites have a unique character. An example of such a cave is Adam’s cave, which could be declareda scientific reserve for the conservation and study of unique tropical oasis conditions in Romania, for warm air spaces, bat colonies and jellied stalactites.
Another interesting thermal cave is the “Steam Grotto” (14 m in length), in which hot, sulphurous steam (520 – 560 C) comes to surface from below ground, through a break in a rock. The sounds created by the sulphurous emanations pull our imagination into a complex and curious world.
For Accomodation, We’ve stayed in Caban on Domogled . You must follow the path to Mountain that is connnected with a long flat highway can make you confused. On 21. km, you will find this Caban. It depends on how many person you’re , cause in Caban, 12 persons can stay as well .
The Price of one room is 70 RON. If you want to park your car , you must pay 10 RON.
Grasshopper on branch .. in Domogled .
Famous funguses on trees.
Peak view of Domogled National Park.
Strawhouses in Domogled
Buila – Vanturarita National Park (Valcea)
Posted by admin on Thursday, September 6, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Buila – Vanturarita National Park
1. Location
Buila-Vânturariţa National Park was integrated inside the Romanian National Park network in the year 2005 and it has an area of 4.186 hectares (10.34 acres). It’s situated in Valcea region, in the central-northern part of Vâlcea County in the Căpăţânii Mountains (group included in Parâng Mountains, a subgroup of mountains in the Southern Carpathians).
Buila – Vanturarita is next to the other national park of Valcea territory, Cozia, and its geology is based in calcareous rock. Monasteries, nature, wildlife and human activity mixed together to produce a wonderful place in the middle of the mountains.
2. Principle attractions.
Schitul Patrunsa, Schitul Pahomie , Candon Silvic Codric, Cabana Cheia, Varful Vanturarita, Muntele Piatra, Poiana Scarisoara, Monastery Arnota, Schitul papusa, Schitul Izvoare.
About where to sleep: there are several cabans in this national park. We decided to stay one night in Cabana Cheia. The price per night is 20 leu (bed) and 10 leu/ tent. The area is sorrounded by white calcareous mountains and the views are great. Varful Vanturarita is one of them (1885 m).
Cozia National Park (Valcea)
Posted by admin on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 · Leave a Comment
COZIA NATIONAL PARK
1. Location
Cozia National Park was included inside the romanian national parks network on 6th march 2000, and its surface is 17.100 Ha (171 km²). This protected natural area contains flora and fauna exclusively from Southern Carpathians range, and it´s located between Lotru mountains and Căpăţânii mountains, in the middle course of Olt river, in administrative localities Racovita, Perisani and Baile Olanesti (45°22′01″N 24°15′54″E).
From the geological point of view, Cozia mountain range is very interesting, because the formation of them happened during high Jurassic period. Sedimentary and gneis (methamorfic rocks) are composing the landscape in this region.
General view of Cozia mountain range and Olt river.
2. Principle attractions
This national park contains a lot of interesting places to visit, biological, geological and historical attractions. Cascada Lotrisor is maybe the most visited of all of them. Mănăstirea Stânişoara, Mănăstirea Cozia, Turnu and Ostrov are also important. If the visitors are thinking about to stay more than one day in this natural area, they have possibility to sleep in different mountain refugees and cabans. We slept in Cabana Cozia, which is situated at 1573 meters and it´s a very good option for that kind of mountaneers who wanna visit the most wonderful places in the range, like Cozia peak (1668 m). From this point the views are spectacular. The price for night costs 20 leu if the turist prefers one bed, 9 leu if prefers to carry own tent.
Butterfly in the way Calimanesti - Cozia peak.
Cascada Lotrisor.
Ostrov Monastery.
Mirror neurons and empathy
Posted by admin on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 · Leave a Comment
It happens that I miss a bit science conversation at university with my friends. So I´ve decided to write this article today about science and voluntary service. How is it? Ok, I´m going to write about the Mirror neurons, probably the most important discovery of the XX Century in the Neurology area.
Everything happened in 1996 (as you can see it happened 16 years ago, not too much time ago), when Giacomo Rizzolatti team where in the eating time. One of them started eating a banana in the laboratory and happened that the ligths in the computer which shew the monkey´s brain started shining. A monkey was connected to electrodes in order to study the electrical activity of the different areas, and the computer shew which areas started shining.
Firstly, the team thought it was an error, but they repeated the experiment and could see that the area which is related with the food neccesity and pleasure started shinning. The meaning of this is: the monkey was looking to the human eating a banana and having “pleasure” at the same time. It was able to be in the place of the person, understand he was eating the banana and FEEL the pleasure he was having. It´s the same if the monkey eats the banana itself or look other monkey, person or animal eating banana, the same brain area is gonna shine, because it´s able to be in your place. This is the basic explanation of the empathy, a very recient discovery.
Nowadays we know that the Mirror Neurons (they were called like this because they make you able to understand the feeling of other people, like when you look at yourself in a mirror), are in every person, and when they miss some big problems happen – think about psichopathy-. We also know that the learning process consists in making bigger number of neurotransmisor receptors in the neurons. It means that it generally depends of your own work. Yes, generally (always there are exceptions) the capacity of learning is related with the work you usually spend trying to learn. Of course, if you give up easily, you´ll never learn anything. The same happens about the empathy. Of course in this case you find exceptions, but in normal cases you´re responsible of your empathy level. If you usually don´t understand how people around you are feeling, it´s because you didn´t work too much in this aspect. Bu you can change it!!!
But this blog is about voluntary service, not science. So, in my opinion, if you are volunteer it means that you wanna help someone and you don´t want receive anything for it.
It means that not everybody noticed how important is trying to understand. What I mean is that it´s time to change. I want to say the people: be volunteer!! Give more and receive less. In this way you´ll see that people are thakful to you and maybe their Mirror Neurons will start to generate more receptors!!
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