Rodna Mountains National Park
About Rodna Mountains National Park
Rodna Mountains National Park covers the high part of the Rodna Mountains, between Maramureș and Bistrița-Năsăud, over some 47,200 hectares. The main ridge runs for about 55 km, from the Șetref Pass to the Rotunda Pass, and gathers the highest peaks in the Eastern Carpathians: Pietrosul Rodnei (2,303 m), Ineu (2,279 m), Buhăescu Mare (2,258 m) and Ineuț (2,222 m).
Protection began in 1932, with 183 hectares of alpine grassland on Pietrosu Mare. The reserve gradually grew to 3,300 hectares, recognised by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 1979, and the national park was confirmed by law in 2000. Today it is managed by Romsilva, from its base in Rodna.
The range has the richest glacial relief in the north of the country: 67 lakes, glacial cirques and valleys, plus the Izvorul Albastru al Izei cave. Edelweiss, alpine rose and the Rodna catchfly, an endemic plant, grow in the meadows, while chamois, marmots, bears and capercaillie live on the slopes.
What you can see
The classic route starts in Borșa, in the Pietroasa valley, and climbs a long forest road to the Iezer weather station. From there the path passes Iezer Lake, at about 1,825 m in a wide cirque, whose outline, seen from above, resembles the map of Romania. Switchbacks then lead up to the saddle, a few minutes from the summit, with views over Maramureș, the Țibleș Mountains and the ridge towards Ineu.
On the eastern side, from the Borșa tourist resort, paths climb to Cailor Waterfall, Puzdrele and the Prislop Pass, while on the Bistrița side trails start from Rodna, Valea Vinului and Șanț towards Lala Lake and Ineu Peak.
Good to know
Pietrosul lies within the Pietrosu Mare strict protection zone: here you may only walk on the waymarked path, without straying from it. The climb from Borșa takes 4–4.5 hours, and in winter the route through the Iezer cirque is not recommended.
Information verified on 21 October 2026.
- Iezer Lake, in the cirque below Pietrosul, whose shape recalls the map of Romania, seen from the switchbacks to the summit.
- Pietrosul Rodnei Peak (2,303 m), the highest in the Eastern Carpathians, with views over the Maramureș Depression.
- The glacial cirques of the Pietrosu Mare reserve, with moraines and rock steps crossed by streams.
- Lala Mare Lake and Ineu Peak (2,279 m), on the trails from Rodna and the Șaua cu Lac saddle.
- The flowers of the alpine zone in early summer: alpine rose, edelweiss and the Rodna catchfly.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Borșa is on the DN18, ~120 km from Baia Mare (via Sighetu Marmației or the Gutâi Pass, ~2h30), ~165 km from Cluj-Napoca (~3 hours) and ~90 km from Vatra Dornei, over the Prislop Pass. The blue-stripe trail to Pietrosul starts in town, on the second street on the right after the town hospital, heading towards the Borșa tourist resort; it climbs the Pietroasa valley and the forest road along Piciorul Moșului to the Iezer weather station (2–2.5 hours), then a path to the summit (4–4.5 hours in total). From the Borșa tourist resort, ~10 km along the DN18 towards Prislop, trails lead to the Știol saddle and the Prislop Pass (3.5–4.5 hours) and to Puzdrele (4–5 hours); the chairlift there goes up towards Cailor Waterfall, while the new gondola serves the Olympic ski slope. On the Bistrița side, access is via the DJ17D, from Rodna and Valea Vinului towards Lala and Ineu (5–6 hours to below Ineu) or from Șanț, through Valea Blaznei, to Roșu and Ineuț peaks (6–7 hours).
Public transport: minibuses and coaches Baia Mare – Sighetu Marmației – Borșa (about 3 hours) and trains to Vișeu de Jos, then a minibus to Borșa; the trail to Pietrosul starts right in town. On the south side, the Ilva Mică – Rodna Veche train stops at Rodna, Anieș and Sângeorz-Băi, where other park trails begin.
- Where to park
There is no official park car park on the route to Pietrosul. In Borșa you park in town, near the start of the trail; the forest road in the Pietroasa valley is rocky and steep in its upper part. It is not confirmed whether parking is charged or how far cars may drive up the forest road; at the Borșa tourist resort there are car parks at the foot of the chairlift and the gondola.
- Fees & discounts
The visitor fee on the administration's price list (in force since 2018) is 5 lei per person per day, VAT included. Tickets are sold online through Easy2Visit (link on parcrodna.ro), where the price shown starts at ~8.6 lei per person, including the platform's fees; keep the proof on your phone or printed. Members of local communities, people with disabilities, Salvamont staff and other categories set by law are exempt. Commercial photography and filming are charged separately, with the administration's approval.
- Rules
In the Pietrosu Mare strict protection zone and on the Șaua Gagi – Lala Lake and Șaua cu Lac – Lala Valley trails you must stay on the waymarked path, with no detours at all. Tents may only be pitched in the designated places (next to the Iezer weather station, Tarnița la Cruce, below Repedea Peak, Puzdrele, between the Gărgălău and Galați saddles, Lala Mică, Izbucul Izei, Valea Vinului). Fires are forbidden in the alpine zone and in the forest, except at the fire pits at Puzdrele, Izbucul Izei, Valea Vinului and Șaua Curățel; elsewhere only camping stoves. Swimming and detergents in lakes and streams are forbidden, as are boats on the alpine lakes, picking plants and noise. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times, with their health papers. Organised group trips must be notified to the administration. You need hiking boots, rain gear and water: the weather on the ridges changes quickly, and there are bears in the area.
- Facilities
Park administration headquarters in Rodna · Iezer weather station, with a camping area beside it · Salvamont refuge at Puzdrele · the former weather station on Pietrosul, in ruins, usable only as shelter in bad weather · Borșa tourist resort, with guesthouses and a chairlift · Valea Blaznei chalet on the Bistrița side · information boards and rest spots on the trails · weak or no mobile signal in the valleys · mountain trails not accessible for people with disabilities
Frequently asked questions about Rodna Mountains National Park
- How much is a ticket to Rodna Mountains National Park?
- A ticket to Rodna Mountains National Park costs 5 lei (visitor fee, per day). The visitor fee on the administration's price list (in force since 2018) is 5 lei per person per day, VAT included. Tickets are sold online through Easy2Visit (link on parcrodna.ro), where the price shown starts at ~8.6 lei per person, including the platform's fees; keep the proof on your phone or printed. Members of local communities, people with disabilities, Salvamont staff and other categories set by law are exempt. Commercial photography and filming are charged separately, with the administration's approval.
- What are the opening hours of Rodna Mountains National Park?
- Opening hours at Rodna Mountains National Park: daily open 24 hours. The park is in the open air, with no opening hours. Snow usually lingers on the ridges until June, and the administration does not recommend most trails in winter; the climb to Pietrosul through the Iezer cirque is not advised in winter (the winter variant goes via Piatra Albă Peak). In winter and spring, check the avalanche risk with Salvamont Maramureș.
- How long does a visit to Rodna Mountains National Park take?
- A visit to Rodna Mountains National Park takes about 7½ – 8 hours (Borșa – Pietrosul, there and back).
- Can you visit Rodna Mountains National Park with kids?
- No, Rodna Mountains National Park is not recommended for visits with children (long, steep climb).
- How do I get to Rodna Mountains National Park?
- Rodna Mountains National Park is located at Iezer weather station, at the end of the forest road in the Pietroasa valley, on the blue-stripe trail from Borșa to Pietrosul Rodnei Peak, Borșa, Maramureș County. By car: Borșa is on the DN18, ~120 km from Baia Mare (via Sighetu Marmației or the Gutâi Pass, ~2h30), ~165 km from Cluj-Napoca (~3 hours) and ~90 km from Vatra Dornei, over the Prislop Pass. The blue-stripe trail to Pietrosul starts in town, on the second street on the right after the town hospital, heading towards the Borșa tourist resort; it climbs the Pietroasa valley and the forest road along Piciorul Moșului to the Iezer weather station (2–2.5 hours), then a path to the summit (4–4.5 hours in total). From the Borșa tourist resort, ~10 km along the DN18 towards Prislop, trails lead to the Știol saddle and the Prislop Pass (3.5–4.5 hours) and to Puzdrele (4–5 hours); the chairlift there goes up towards Cailor Waterfall, while the new gondola serves the Olympic ski slope. On the Bistrița side, access is via the DJ17D, from Rodna and Valea Vinului towards Lala and Ineu (5–6 hours to below Ineu) or from Șanț, through Valea Blaznei, to Roșu and Ineuț peaks (6–7 hours). Public transport: minibuses and coaches Baia Mare – Sighetu Marmației – Borșa (about 3 hours) and trains to Vișeu de Jos, then a minibus to Borșa; the trail to Pietrosul starts right in town. On the south side, the Ilva Mică – Rodna Veche train stops at Rodna, Anieș and Sângeorz-Băi, where other park trails begin.
- When is the best time to visit Rodna Mountains National Park?
- The best season for Rodna Mountains National Park: June – October (snow on the ridges until June).
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