# Lolaia Waterfall

[Romania](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/attractions) › [Transylvania](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/region/transilvania) › [Hunedoara County](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/county/hunedoara) › [Nucșoara](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/locality/nucsoara-hunedoara)

> A waterfall of about 15 m, split by a rock into two streams, in the Nucșoara valley in the north of Retezat National Park; a 15–20 minute walk from Cârnic.

**At a glance:** Waterfalls in Nucșoara, Hunedoara County. Opening hours: daily open 24 hours. Ticket: 10 lei. The visit takes ½ – 1 hours. Information verified on 4 October 2026.

## Key facts

- **Opening hours:** daily open 24 hours — The waterfall is in the open air, with no opening hours, and can be visited all year: the road to Cârnic stays open in winter. The last ~5 km to Cârnic are unpaved and may be snow-covered in winter; the access staircase can be icy.
- **Ticket:** 10 lei — park fee, valid for 7 days
- **Visit duration:** ½ – 1 hours — there and back from Cârnic
- **With kids:** Yes — short walk, stairs with handrail
- **Best season:** May – October — biggest flow at snowmelt
- **Address:** Cârnic, northern entrance to Retezat National Park, then 15–20 minutes along the forest road marked with a blue stripe, Nucșoara, Hunedoara County
- **Coordinates:** 45.42573, 22.89707
- **Phone:** +40 733 888 586
- **Website:** https://www.retezat.ro/
- **Wikidata:** https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q41552795
- **Categories:** [Waterfalls](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/waterfalls), [National parks and reserves](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/national-parks-and-reserves)

## About Lolaia Waterfall

Lolaia Waterfall is the easiest waterfall to see in the Retezat Mountains: it lies at about 1,050 m in the Nucșoara valley, right at the northern entrance to Retezat National Park, a quarter of an hour's walk from the car park at Cârnic. Water gathered from the Pietrele, Stânișoara, Valea Rea and Galeșu valleys, all coming down from glacial cirques, drops some 13–15 m over a granite ledge.

What sets it apart is a rock at the top of the fall that splits the water into two parallel streams, which only meet again at the bottom, in a pool carved out by the force of the water. This is also the source of the local legend: a shepherdess called Lolaia was bringing her sheep down to Nucșoara at the end of summer when an apparition devoured her flock, and the terrified girl threw herself into the valley. Where she fell a deep hole opened in the rock, and the two streams are said to be her unbraided plaits.

The waterfall is on the classic northern route into the Retezat, towards the Pietrele and Gențiana chalets, so many people stop here on their way up to the ridges. For others it is a short walk in its own right, easy to do with children.

### What you can see

From the forest road that climbs from Cârnic, a wooden staircase with a handrail leads down to a viewpoint facing the waterfall: the two threads of water on the granite wall, the green pool at the bottom and the spruce forest closing in the valley. A little higher up, a bridge over the valley gives a view down onto the lip of the fall.

Below the waterfall the stream runs between large granite slabs polished by the water, with small rapids and clear pools. The flow is strongest in late spring, at snowmelt, and after rain.

### Good to know

The access staircase was rebuilt by the park administration in summer 2025. The rocks around the waterfall are wet and slippery; do not leave the walkway to climb down to the pool. You are in a national park, which charges a visitor fee.

## Don't miss

- The two parallel threads of the waterfall, split by the rock at the top and rejoining in the pool at the bottom.
- The viewpoint at the end of the wooden staircase, with the waterfall straight ahead.
- The water-polished granite slabs and clear pools of the stream just below the falls.
- The onward path to the Pietrele and Gențiana chalets on the blue stripe, 1–1.5 hours beyond the waterfall.

## Good to know before you go

### Getting there

**By car:** from Hațeg, take the DN66 towards Petroșani as far as Ohaba de sub Piatră, then the DJ667A through Sălașu de Jos, Sălașu de Sus, Mălăiești and Nucșoara to Cârnic, the park's northern gateway; it is about 25 km from Hațeg, the last ~5 km unpaved (from the viaduct at Nucșoara). Hațeg is ~45 km from Deva and ~45 km from Petroșani. From Cârnic, where cars must stop, walk along the forest road marked with a blue stripe (the Ohaba – Pietrele trail) for about 15–20 minutes, then take the wooden staircase down to the viewpoint.

**Public transport:** regional trains on the Simeria – Petroșani line stop at Ohaba de sub Piatră, but from there to Cârnic it is ~16 km with no scheduled services; you need a taxi or a car.

### Where to park

You leave the car in the car park at Cârnic, at the end of the road open to the public; beyond it, towards Pietrele, cars are not allowed. On summer weekends several hundred visitors come, so spaces fill up early. It is not confirmed whether parking is charged.

### Fees & discounts

The waterfall is inside Retezat National Park, which charges a visitor fee of 10 lei per person (VAT included), valid for 7 days with any number of entries. You can buy it online (bilete.retezat.ro, Easy2Visit), by text message to 7494 (code PNR1 for one ticket), at the Nucșoara visitor centre, at the Codrin and Lolaia chalets at Cârnic or from park staff; keep the proof for inspections. Minors, residents of the park's localities and people with disabilities are exempt, under the park's rules.

### Rules

Stay on the forest road and the built staircase; the rocks next to the waterfall are wet and slippery, and swimming in the pool is not a good idea even in summer. Fires and camping are only allowed in designated areas (the camping area at Cârnic). Dogs must be kept on a lead, drones may only fly with the park administration's approval, and you take your litter back with you. Shoes with good grip are enough for the waterfall; further on, towards Pietrele, you need proper mountain gear. In an emergency call 112 or 0SALVAMONT (0725 826 668).

### Facilities

Chalets, guesthouses, restaurants and a camping area at Cârnic · park visitor centre in Nucșoara · wooden staircase with handrail and a viewpoint at the waterfall · no toilets at the waterfall · weak mobile signal in the valley · the staircase is not accessible with a pushchair or wheelchair

## Details

- **Protected area type:** national park
- **Part of:** Retezat National Park
- **Drop height:** 15 m
- **Watercourse:** Nucșoara stream
- **Altitude:** 1,050 m
- **Walk to the waterfall:** 15–20 min from Cârnic

## Frequently asked questions about Lolaia Waterfall

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

A ticket to Lolaia Waterfall costs 10 lei (park fee, valid for 7 days). More under “Fees & discounts”.

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

Opening hours at Lolaia Waterfall: daily open 24 hours. More under “Opening hours”.

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

A visit to Lolaia Waterfall takes about ½ – 1 hours (there and back from Cârnic).

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

Yes, Lolaia Waterfall is suitable for children (short walk, stairs with handrail).

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

Lolaia Waterfall is located at Cârnic, northern entrance to Retezat National Park, then 15–20 minutes along the forest road marked with a blue stripe, Nucșoara, Hunedoara County. More under “Getting there”.

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

The best season for Lolaia Waterfall: May – October (biggest flow at snowmelt).

## Nearby attractions

- [Retezat National Park](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/retezat-national-park) — National parks and reserves · Nucșoara, HD · 10 lei · 8½ – 9 hours · Top 100 · 1 km
  Romania's first national park, created in 1935 in the Retezat Mountains: granite ridges above 2,000 m, Peleaga Peak (2,509 m) and more than 80 glacial lakes, crossed by waymarked trails.
- [Râușor Ski Area](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/rausor-ski-area) — Ski slopes · Râu de Mori, HD · Free · 4½ – 5 hours · 6 km
  A ski area at the foot of the Retezat Mountains, at about 1,200 m: a chairlift and two drag lifts, three runs of different difficulty, night skiing and, in summer, a mountain cart.
- [Colț Fortress](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/colt-fortress) — Fortresses and fortifications · Râu de Mori, HD · Free · 1 – 1½ hours · 8 km
  The ruined fortress of the Cândea knezes, its tower house perched on a rock at the mouth of the Râușor gorge below the Retezat, traditionally linked with Jules Verne's "The Carpathian Castle".
- [Bucura Lake](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/bucura-lake) — Lakes · Hunedoara County · 10 lei · 6½ – 7 hours · 10 km
  Romania's largest glacial lake, at 2,040 m in the heart of Retezat National Park; it can only be reached on foot, after a climb of about two hours from Poiana Pelegii.
- [Mălăiești Fortress](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/malaiesti-fortress) — Fortresses and fortifications · Sălașu de Sus, HD · 14 lei · 45 min · 10 km
  A 14th-century noble stronghold with a keep and a ring of stone walls, built by the knezes of Sălaș at the foot of the Retezat and restored after 2012.
- [Zănoaga Lake](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/zanoaga-lake) — Lakes · Hunedoara County · 10 lei · 8½ – 9 hours · 14 km
  Romania's deepest glacial lake, 29 m deep, at almost 2,000 m in the south-west of Retezat National Park; it can only be reached on foot, on a long day hike.

---

Full page: https://peplaiuri.ro/en/lolaia-waterfall
Other languages: Română: https://peplaiuri.ro/cascada-lolaia.md · Deutsch: https://peplaiuri.ro/de/wasserfall-lolaia.md · Italiano: https://peplaiuri.ro/it/cascata-lolaia.md · Français: https://peplaiuri.ro/fr/cascade-lolaia.md · Español: https://peplaiuri.ro/es/cascada-lolaia.md · Magyar: https://peplaiuri.ro/hu/lolaia-vizeses.md
Last updated: 4 October 2026
Source: Pe Plaiuri (https://peplaiuri.ro/en) — Guide to tourist attractions in Romania