Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park
About Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park
Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park takes in almost the whole basin of the Cerna river, from its springs to its confluence with the Belareca, above Băile Herculane. Created in 1990 and with its own administration since 2003, it covers 61,211 hectares across three counties: Gorj (the largest share), Caraș-Severin and Mehedinți. On the right bank of the Cerna rise the Godeanu and Cerna Mountains, on the left the Vâlcan and Mehedinți Mountains, so the altitude climbs from under 200 m near the spa town to over 2,200 m on the Godeanu ridges.
Limestone sets the tone of the landscape: white cliffs and rocky peaks, gorges, sinkholes, caves and thermal springs. The Banat black pine, an endemic subspecies, grows on the sunny crags alongside sub-Mediterranean vegetation that is rare in Romania, and the park's forests are home to bears, wolves, lynx and otters.
In 2017 three areas of the park, Domogled–Coronini–Bedina, Iauna Craiovei and Ciucevele Cernei, totalling over 9,700 hectares, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as part of the "Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe" site. These are virgin beech forests reaching from the edge of the alpine zone almost down to the valley floor, within the park's strict protection zone.
What you can see
The best-known trail is the Domogled route, waymarked with a yellow stripe, which starts from the DN67D just outside Băile Herculane: it climbs to Crucea Albă (the White Cross), then up the Cărarea Pisicii ("Cat's Path"), steep and covered in scree, past the Peștera de sub Șărban cave, to Domogledul Mic (1,099 m) and Domogledul Mare (1,105 m). From the top you can see the Danube, the Almăj Mountains, the Godeanu and the Retezat; the descent goes through beech forest and the Ferigari Gorge. On the other side of the valley, from the Ghizela cross, a circuit marked with a blue triangle climbs to the Balta Cerbului meadow and comes down through the Țăsna Gorge.
Closer to the town there are short paths to the Coronini Plateau and the Green Gazebo (Foișorul Verde), and the trail to Ciorici Peak leads to the Steam Cave (Peștera cu Aburi). Further up the valley, along the Cerna Valley Road, start the path to the Vânturătoarea Waterfall and the road towards the Corcoaia Gorge and the springs of the Cerna.
Good to know
There is a fee to visit the park. The trails to the summits are steep, with sections along the edge of drops and few water sources higher up, and in summer the limestone slopes get very hot. The nose-horned viper lives on the sunny crags.
Information verified on 21 October 2026.
- Domogledul Mic (1,099 m) and Domogledul Mare (1,105 m) peaks, on the yellow-stripe trail, with views as far as the Danube and the Retezat.
- The Banat black pine, the endemic subspecies clinging to the limestone cliffs of the Domogled.
- The beech forest on the descent from Domogledul Mare to the Ferigari Gorge, in the Domogled–Coronini–Bedina UNESCO component.
- The Țăsna Gorge, on the blue-triangle circuit via the Balta Cerbului meadow, coming out on the DN67D at Poiana Țăsnei.
- The visitor centre in Băile Herculane, with a 3D model of the park and models of six caves.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Băile Herculane is on the DN6 (E70), ~25 km from Orșova (~30 min), ~50 km from Drobeta-Turnu Severin (~1 hour), ~80 km from Caransebeș and ~190 km from Timișoara, via Lugoj and Caransebeș (~3 hours). From the DN6, enter the town and continue on the DN67D towards Baia de Aramă: the visitor centre is on the way out of the town, and the trailheads for the Domogled, Ferigari, Țăsna and Vânturătoarea trails are along the DN67D, in the Cerna Valley. From Târgu Jiu, take the DN67D via Baia de Aramă (~100 km, ~2 hours). The DN66A, from Petroșani and Câmpu lui Neag, has an impassable section at the Jiu–Cerna Pass and is not a way in by car.
Public transport: Băile Herculane station, in Pecinișca, on the Timișoara – Caransebeș – Drobeta-Turnu Severin – Craiova line, is ~7 km from the visitor centre; from there, a taxi is the only option. No regular services to the trailheads in the Cerna Valley are published.
- Where to park
The park administration does not publish information on parking. The Domogled trail starts from the DN67D, just past the town, next to the park's information board; without a car you can walk up from behind Hotel Cerna, on Strada Domogled. The other trails also start from the side of the DN67D, where there are few places to stop. It is not confirmed whether parking is charged.
- Fees & discounts
The visitor fee is €2 + VAT per person and is valid for 7 days. You can buy it at the visitor centre in Băile Herculane or by text message to 7473, on the Vodafone, Orange, Telekom and Digi networks: "Domogled1" for one person (€2 + VAT), "Domogled2" for two (€4 + VAT), "Domogled5" for five (€10 + VAT). Keep the confirmation message for the whole visit; without it, the payment has not gone through.
- Rules
You may only walk on waymarked trails; leaving them is an offence, with a fine of 3,000–6,000 lei. Children under 14 may only enter the park accompanied by an adult. Dogs are allowed only on waymarked trails, on a lead. Camping is allowed only at signposted sites, and fires only in the hearths provided. Flowers must not be picked, litter must be taken back with you, and instructions from park staff and foresters must be followed. For the Domogled trail the administration recommends boots with a good grip, trekking poles and a helmet; take enough water, as sources higher up are scarce or absent.
- Facilities
Visitor centre in Băile Herculane, with an exhibition on three floors · guide services offered by the administration · accommodation and restaurants in Băile Herculane · gazebo and spring at Poiana Mușuroaie, on the trails to the Mehedinți ridge · mountain trails not accessible for people with disabilities
Frequently asked questions about Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park
- How much is a ticket to Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park?
- A ticket to Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park costs 2 euro + TVA (per person, valid for 7 days). The visitor fee is €2 + VAT per person and is valid for 7 days. You can buy it at the visitor centre in Băile Herculane or by text message to 7473, on the Vodafone, Orange, Telekom and Digi networks: "Domogled1" for one person (€2 + VAT), "Domogled2" for two (€4 + VAT), "Domogled5" for five (€10 + VAT). Keep the confirmation message for the whole visit; without it, the payment has not gone through.
- What are the opening hours of Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park?
- Opening hours at Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park: daily open 24 hours. The park is in the open air, with no opening hours. The opening hours of the visitor centre in Băile Herculane are not published on the administration's website. The trails to the summits are recommended in summer and in the snow-free months; the Domogled trail is not recommended in winter.
- How long does a visit to Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park take?
- A visit to Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park takes about 5 – 5½ hours (Domogled trail, 5–5½ hours).
- Can you visit Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park with kids?
- Yes, Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park is suitable for children (short paths to Coronini).
- How do I get to Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park?
- Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park is located at Visitor centre, 9 Strada Uzinei (DN67D), on the way out of the town towards Baia de Aramă, Băile Herculane, Caraș-Severin County. By car: Băile Herculane is on the DN6 (E70), ~25 km from Orșova (~30 min), ~50 km from Drobeta-Turnu Severin (~1 hour), ~80 km from Caransebeș and ~190 km from Timișoara, via Lugoj and Caransebeș (~3 hours). From the DN6, enter the town and continue on the DN67D towards Baia de Aramă: the visitor centre is on the way out of the town, and the trailheads for the Domogled, Ferigari, Țăsna and Vânturătoarea trails are along the DN67D, in the Cerna Valley. From Târgu Jiu, take the DN67D via Baia de Aramă (~100 km, ~2 hours). The DN66A, from Petroșani and Câmpu lui Neag, has an impassable section at the Jiu–Cerna Pass and is not a way in by car. Public transport: Băile Herculane station, in Pecinișca, on the Timișoara – Caransebeș – Drobeta-Turnu Severin – Craiova line, is ~7 km from the visitor centre; from there, a taxi is the only option. No regular services to the trailheads in the Cerna Valley are published.
- When is the best time to visit Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park?
- The best season for Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park: April – October (spring and autumn; summer is hot).
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