Top 100Bicaz Gorge
Bicaz-Chei, NT
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.
Gorges and canyonsScenic roads
Open now½ – 1 hoursFree
Gorges and canyons
The gorges and canyons of Romania formed where rivers cut through the limestone bars of the Carpathians or crossed straight through the mountains: the Olt and the Jiu break through the Southern Carpathians from north to south, the Bicaz carves its way through the Hășmaș, and the Danube, at the Kazan gorges, passes through the narrowest stretch of its course. The vertical walls, the road squeezed between rock and water, and the warmer microclimate of the limestone make them good places both for climbing and for a simple stop at a bend. The roads through the gorges are narrow and busy; take it slowly.
Bicaz Gorge, on the road between Moldavia and Transylvania, is the best known. The Danube Gorges are best seen from the water or from the Rock Sculpture of Decebalus. The Olt Defile and Jiu Gorge are the gateways from Oltenia into Transylvania and are worth driving for their own sake.
10 results
Top 100
Top 100Turda Gorge
Mihai Viteazu, CJ
A limestone gorge 6 km from Turda, with walls over 100 m high, a lower trail with footbridges over the Hășdate river, caves and hundreds of climbing routes.
Gorges and canyonsNational parks and reserves
2 – 2½ hours
Top 100Jiu Gorge
Gorj County
The 33 km gorge by which the Jiu crosses the Carpathians between Bumbești-Jiu and Livezeni: the DN66 follows the river through Defileul Jiului National Park, past Lainici Monastery.
Scenic roadsGorges and canyons
Open nowFree
Top 100Danube Gorges (Cazanele Dunării)
Dubova, MH
The narrowest stretch of the Danube Gorge, between Dubova and Ogradena: the river squeezes between limestone walls, with Serbia on the far bank, seen by boat or from Ciucaru Mare.
Gorges and canyonsNational parks and reserves
Open now3½ – 4 hoursFree
Olt Defile
Vâlcea County
The 47 km gorge by which the Olt crosses the Carpathians: on the DN7, between Boița and Călimănești, the road follows the river past Cozia Monastery. A busy through route, not a leisure drive.
Scenic roadsGorges and canyons
Open now1½ – 2 hoursFree
Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park
Carașova, CS
A 36,000 ha national park in the Banat, with the 19 km Caraș Gorge, the Semenic plateau, over 800 caves and the virgin beech forest of Izvoarele Nerei, a UNESCO site.
National parks and reservesGorges and canyonsUNESCO
Open now4½ – 5 hours2 euro + TVA
Nera Gorge
Sasca Montană, CS
Romania's longest gorge, almost 20 km between Șopotu Nou and Sasca Română, with the Devil's Lake, tunnels cut into the rock and a trail crossed by no road at all.
Gorges and canyonsNational parks and reservesUNESCO
Open now2½ – 3 hours~12 lei
Zărnești Gorge (Prăpăstiile Zărneștilor)
Zărnești, BV
A dry limestone gorge in Piatra Craiului National Park, with vertical walls and layers of Jurassic limestone, walked on an easy forest road that also suits children.
Gorges and canyonsNational parks and reserves
2 – 2½ hours10 lei
Dâmbovicioara Gorge
Dâmbovicioara, AG
A 2.4 km limestone gorge carved by the Dâmbovicioara stream on the southern edge of Piatra Craiului National Park, with the road from Podu Dâmboviței to Dâmbovicioara running through it.
Gorges and canyonsNational parks and reserves
Open now45 min
Vârghiș Gorge
Merești, HR
A limestone gorge about 3 km long, with 70–80 m walls and over a hundred caves, between Merești (Harghita) and Vârghiș (Covasna); visited on foot, on marked trails.
Gorges and canyonsNational parks and reservesCaves
Closed3½ – 4 hours
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