# Duruitoarea Waterfall

[Romania](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/attractions) › [Moldavia](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/region/moldova) › [Neamț County](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/county/neamt) › [Durău](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/locality/durau)

> A 25 m, two-tier waterfall on the Rupturi stream, in the forests below Toaca peak in Ceahlău National Park; reached on foot from the Durău resort in about two hours.

**At a glance:** Waterfalls in Durău, Neamț County. Opening hours: daily open 24 hours. Ticket: 10 lei. The visit takes 3½ – 4 hours. Information verified on 4 October 2026.

## Key facts

- **Opening hours:** daily open 24 hours — The waterfall is in the open air and the trail from Durău can be walked all year, but entry to the park is only allowed with the visitor fee paid and only on marked trails. Set off in the morning so you are back in daylight. In winter the path can be snowy and icy, and the section from the waterfall to Cabana Dochia is not recommended.
- **Ticket:** 10 lei — park fee, for one week
- **Visit duration:** 3½ – 4 hours — there and back from Durău
- **With kids:** Yes — for children used to climbs
- **Parking:** Yes, free — in the Durău resort
- **Best season:** May – October — strongest flow in late spring
- **Address:** On the Rupturi stream, about 3.5 km from the Durău resort on the red-cross trail (via Poiana Viezuri), Durău, Neamț County
- **Coordinates:** 46.97257, 25.93534
- **Phone:** +40 233 256 600
- **Website:** https://www.ceahlaupark.ro/
- **Wikipedia:** https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascada_Duruitoarea
- **Wikidata:** https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18539918
- **Categories:** [Waterfalls](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/cascade), [National parks and reserves](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/parcuri-nationale-si-rezervatii), [Mountains and trails](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/munti-si-trasee)

## About Duruitoarea Waterfall

Duruitoarea Waterfall is the best-known waterfall in the Ceahlău massif and the goal of the most popular hike from the Durău resort. The Rupturi stream, fed by springs on the mountain's high plateau, drops here over a rock wall in two tiers: a tall one of about 20 m and a short one of around 5 m, separated by a ledge cut into the rock. The name comes from the roar of the water (*duruit* means a rumbling noise in Romanian), which you hear through the forest long before you see the falls.

The waterfall lies at roughly 1,250 m, on the northern side of the massif, below the cliffs of Piatra Ciobanului and Toaca peak. It is a natural monument, a one-hectare reserve inside Ceahlău National Park, protected by law since 2000. A wooden staircase once climbed up to the ledge between the two tiers; it is long gone, and the falls are now seen from below.

The walk there is a big part of the visit: a path through mixed forest, past huge boulders that have tumbled from the cliffs, climbing from Durău to the Poiana Viezuri clearing and then running almost level to the stream valley.

### What you can see

The path leaves the forest right at the foot of the waterfall, where you see both tiers one above the other: the long, thin upper drop, then the lower tier falling into a small rock basin. Next to the falls there is a rest area with tables and benches, a good spot for a break before heading back. The flow is strongest in late spring and after rain; in winter the waterfall partly freezes.

On the way, from Poiana Viezuri (1,189 m), you can glimpse the rocks of Piatra Ciobanului through the trees. If you have time, you can return by a different trail, marked with a blue cross, along Piciorul lui Bucur.

### Good to know

Access is on foot, on a marked mountain trail with a steady climb in the first hour; it is not suitable for pushchairs. There is a fee to enter Ceahlău National Park. From the waterfall, the red-cross path climbs on steeply towards Cabana Dochia; that section is not recommended in winter and has been damaged by floods in recent years, so ask Salvamont or the park administration before carrying on.

## Don't miss

- The two tiers of the waterfall, one above the other, seen from the rest area at the foot.
- The small rock basin at the bottom of the lower tier, where the water fans out in spray.
- The Poiana Viezuri clearing at 1,189 m, with the rocks of Piatra Ciobanului glimpsed through the trees.
- The huge boulders fallen from the cliffs of Toaca, which the path winds past in the forest.
- Returning on the blue-cross trail along Piciorul lui Bucur to make a loop.

## Good to know before you go

### Getting there

**By car:** the trail starts in the Durău resort (Ceahlău commune). From Piatra Neamț, the shortest route is via Bicaz and then along the DJ155F axial road, through Izvorul Muntelui, to Durău: ~60 km, about 1h30; the Izvorul Muntelui – Durău stretch is closed in the cold season and usually reopens around mid-May. Otherwise, from Bicaz take the DN15 along Lake Izvorul Muntelui to Ceahlău commune, where a road climbs up to Durău. From Târgu Neamț it is ~60 km, via Poiana Largului. In Durău, the red-cross path starts in front of the park administration building: it crosses the Nicanu stream and the county road, climbs through the forest for about an hour to Poiana Viezuri, then carries on almost level to the waterfall. The blue-cross trail along Piciorul lui Bucur (~4 km) is a good way back.

**Public transport:** buses and minibuses run from Piatra Neamț to Ceahlău commune and Durău; timetables change from year to year, so check before you go. The nearest railway stations are Bicaz and Piatra Neamț.

### Where to park

Parking is in the Durău resort, in the centre and around the hotels, free according to recent visitor reports. It gets busy on summer weekends, so come in the morning. You cannot drive any further than the resort.

### Fees & discounts

Ceahlău National Park entry fee (2026 rates, approved by Neamț County Council): adults 10 lei per person per week; children, pupils, students and pensioners 5 lei per week. An annual pass costs 80 lei for adults and 40 lei for children, pupils, students and pensioners. Camping at the designated sites costs 15 lei per tent per day. The fee is paid in cash at the checkpoints in Durău or, since 2025, online by card or by text message, using the QR codes on the signs at the park entrances.

### Rules

You may only enter the park with the fee paid and only walk on marked trails. Dogs on a lead only. Do not light fires, leave litter, pick plants, mushrooms or berries, or make noise; camping is only allowed at designated sites, and motor vehicles (quad bikes, enduro bikes, 4×4s) are banned. Commercial photography and filming are charged separately. Wear hiking boots or shoes with good grip and bring water and a rain jacket: the path has rocky, wet stretches and the rocks by the waterfall are slippery. There are bears in the area.

### Facilities

Rest area with tables and benches at the waterfall · no toilets, drinking water or shops on the trail · restaurants, guesthouses and shops in the Durău resort · Salvamont base in Durău · no step-free access · weak mobile signal in the forest

## Details

- **Protected area type:** natural monument
- **Part of:** Ceahlău National Park
- **Drop height:** 25 m
- **Watercourse:** Rupturi stream
- **Altitude:** 1,247 m
- **Walk to the waterfall:** about 2 hours from Durău
- **Maximum altitude:** 1,247 m
- **Trail length:** 3.5 km
- **Elevation gain:** 470 m
- **Difficulty:** moderate
- **Trail marking:** red cross
- **Mountain range:** Ceahlău

## Frequently asked questions about Duruitoarea Waterfall

**How much is a ticket to Duruitoarea Waterfall?**

A ticket to Duruitoarea Waterfall costs 10 lei (park fee, for one week). Ceahlău National Park entry fee (2026 rates, approved by Neamț County Council): adults 10 lei per person per week; children, pupils, students and pensioners 5 lei per week. An annual pass costs 80 lei for adults and 40 lei for children, pupils, students and pensioners. Camping at the designated sites costs 15 lei per tent per day. The fee is paid in cash at the checkpoints in Durău or, since 2025, online by card or by text message, using the QR codes on the signs at the park entrances.

**What are the opening hours of Duruitoarea Waterfall?**

Opening hours at Duruitoarea Waterfall: daily open 24 hours. The waterfall is in the open air and the trail from Durău can be walked all year, but entry to the park is only allowed with the visitor fee paid and only on marked trails. Set off in the morning so you are back in daylight. In winter the path can be snowy and icy, and the section from the waterfall to Cabana Dochia is not recommended.

**How long does a visit to Duruitoarea Waterfall take?**

A visit to Duruitoarea Waterfall takes about 3½ – 4 hours (there and back from Durău).

**Can you visit Duruitoarea Waterfall with kids?**

Yes, Duruitoarea Waterfall is suitable for children (for children used to climbs).

**Where can I park at Duruitoarea Waterfall?**

There is free parking at Duruitoarea Waterfall (in the Durău resort). Parking is in the Durău resort, in the centre and around the hotels, free according to recent visitor reports. It gets busy on summer weekends, so come in the morning. You cannot drive any further than the resort.

**How do I get to Duruitoarea Waterfall?**

Duruitoarea Waterfall is located at On the Rupturi stream, about 3.5 km from the Durău resort on the red-cross trail (via Poiana Viezuri), Durău, Neamț County. By car: the trail starts in the Durău resort (Ceahlău commune). From Piatra Neamț, the shortest route is via Bicaz and then along the DJ155F axial road, through Izvorul Muntelui, to Durău: ~60 km, about 1h30; the Izvorul Muntelui – Durău stretch is closed in the cold season and usually reopens around mid-May. Otherwise, from Bicaz take the DN15 along Lake Izvorul Muntelui to Ceahlău commune, where a road climbs up to Durău. From Târgu Neamț it is ~60 km, via Poiana Largului. In Durău, the red-cross path starts in front of the park administration building: it crosses the Nicanu stream and the county road, climbs through the forest for about an hour to Poiana Viezuri, then carries on almost level to the waterfall. The blue-cross trail along Piciorul lui Bucur (~4 km) is a good way back. Public transport: buses and minibuses run from Piatra Neamț to Ceahlău commune and Durău; timetables change from year to year, so check before you go. The nearest railway stations are Bicaz and Piatra Neamț.

**When is the best time to visit Duruitoarea Waterfall?**

The best season for Duruitoarea Waterfall: May – October (strongest flow in late spring).

## Nearby attractions

- [Lake Izvorul Muntelui](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/lacul-izvorul-muntelui) — Lakes · Bicaz, NT · Free · 1½ – 2 hours · Top 100 · 17 km
  Better known as Lake Bicaz, it is the largest reservoir on Romania's inland rivers: 35 km of water on the Bistrița, below Mount Ceahlău, held back by a 127 m dam.
- [Bicaz Gorge](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/cheile-bicazului) — Gorges and canyons · Bicaz-Chei, NT · Free · ½ – 1 hours · Top 100 · 26 km
  The best-known gorge in the Carpathians: the DN12C road runs between limestone walls over 300 m high, along the Bicaz river, between Lacu Roșu and Bicaz-Chei.
- [Lake Cuejdel](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/lacul-cuejdel) — Lakes · Gârcina, NT · Free · 2 – 2½ hours · 29 km
  Romania's largest natural dam lake, formed by landslides between 1978 and 1991 in the Stânișoarei Mountains, with bare spruce trunks rising out of the water; reached on foot through the forest.
- [Red Lake](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/lacul-rosu) — Lakes · Lacu Roșu, HR · Free · 1½ – 2 hours · Top 100 · 30 km
  A natural dam lake formed in 1837, when a mountainside blocked the Bicaz valley; the trunks of the drowned forest still rise from the water, at the upper end of the Bicaz Gorge.
- [Borsec](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/borsec) — Resorts and thermal baths · Borsec, HR · Free · 3½ – 4 hours · 37 km
  A mountain spa resort at 900 m in northern Harghita, with carbonated mineral springs you can drink from for free, old wooden villas, travertine caves and a new spa centre.
- [Neamț Bison Reserve](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/rezervatia-de-zimbri-neamt) — Zoos and aquariums · Vânători-Neamț, NT · 15 lei · 1 – 1½ hours · 49 km
  The “Dragoș Vodă” reserve, founded in 1968 in Vânători-Neamț Nature Park: a small zoo with bison, deer and birds, at the edge of the forest where free-ranging bison live.

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Last updated: 4 October 2026
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