Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park
About Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park
Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park covers about 36,000 ha in the centre of Caraș-Severin County, between Reșița, Anina, Bozovici and Teregova. It spans two very different worlds: the Semenic Mountains, made of crystalline rock, rounded and covered in forest, with Piatra Goznei Peak at 1,447 m, and the Anina Mountains, of limestone, cut by gorges and riddled with more than 800 caves and potholes. Over 80% of the area is beech forest. The first reserve, the Caraș Gorge, was declared in 1955 and the park in 1982; today it is managed by Romsilva, with its headquarters in Reșița.
On the southern slope of Semenic, the Izvoarele Nerei reserve preserves one of the largest virgin beech forests in Europe, with trees more than 500 years old. Since 2017, 4,677 ha here have been part of the UNESCO site "Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe".
What you can see
The Caraș Gorge (Cheile Carașului) begins on the edge of Carașova and follows the Caraș river for about 19 km, with limestone walls up to 200 m high and dozens of caves. The trail marked with a blue triangle runs through the gorge from Carașova to Comarnic Cave (11 km, ~5 hours), passing through the Prolaz meadow (Lunca Prolazului). Above the gorge are the Prolaz viewpoint and the ruins of Caraș Fortress (Cetatea Turcului), reached by short paths from Carașova and from Crucea Iabalcei. Near Carașova, a 1.5 km themed trail with information panels tells the story of the valley's Croatian community. To the south, the 9 km Gârliște Gorge is walked on the red-dot trail that starts in Anina, and the Buhui – Mărghitaș area has Lake Buhui, regarded as the oldest reservoir in Romania, and Buhui Cave. Up on the Semenic plateau are the mountain resort, peat bogs and meadows with wide views over the Banat.
Good to know
Izvoarele Nerei is a strictly protected area: it may only be crossed on the trail marked with a red stripe, without leaving the path. The Caraș Gorge has no road and can only be explored on foot; the full route to Comarnic takes a day. Bears and wolves live in the park.
Information verified on 21 October 2026.
- The Caraș Gorge on the blue-triangle trail, between limestone walls rising up to 200 m above the river.
- The Prolaz viewpoint, from where you see the depth of the gorge and the Prolaz meadow.
- The ruins of Caraș Fortress (Cetatea Turcului), on the ridge above the gorge.
- Lake Buhui, the reservoir in the forest near Anina, with Buhui Cave next to it.
- The Semenic plateau, with Piatra Goznei Peak (1,447 m) and its high-altitude peat bogs.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Carașova is ~16 km from Reșița on the DN58, the road to Anina (~20 minutes). From Timișoara it is ~110 km (~2 hours), on the DJ592, DJ572 and DN58B via Bocșa to Reșița, then on the DN58. The entrance to the Caraș Gorge is on the edge of the village, at the reserve's information board. For the Semenic plateau, climb from Reșița on the DJ582 (Transsemenic) via Văliug, then on the DJ582E: ~41 km, ~1 hour. Anina, the starting point for the trails to the Gârliște Gorge and Lake Buhui, is ~16 km from Carașova, also on the DN58.
Public transport: the nearest railway station is in Reșița. The park administration does not publish public transport connections to the park entrances; Carașova is on the DN58, between Reșița and Anina.
- Where to park
The park administration does not publish official car parks or fees. For the Caraș Gorge you leave the car in Carașova, for Semenic in the resort, and for Comarnic Cave at the Padina Seacă forestry lodge.
- Fees & discounts
The park charges a visiting fee. It can be paid online on the Easy2Visit platform linked from the park's website (from ~13.6 lei per person, valid for the chosen date), or by text message to 7473 with the text SEMENIC (2 euros + VAT, valid on the day it is sent). Keep the confirmation text for the whole visit. Comarnic Cave has a separate ticket. The administration does not publish concessions or fees by category.
- Rules
Keep to the marked trails; leaving them for natural habitats carries a fine of 3,000–6,000 lei. Izvoarele Nerei may only be entered on the marked trail. Camp only in designated places or, at night, well away from the hiking trails, and light fires only in designated spots; a camping stove is allowed for cooking. Dogs must be on a lead and music listened to only through headphones. Do not pick plants, flowers or mushrooms, do not feed wild animals and do not drive cars, motorbikes or quad bikes off the permitted roads. For the gorge you need hiking boots and water for the whole day.
- Facilities
Information boards at the entrance to the Caraș Gorge and along the themed trail near Carașova · accommodation and restaurants in the Semenic resort, in Reșița and in Carașova · no toilets or water points along the gorge trail · unreliable mobile signal in the gorge
Frequently asked questions about Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park
- How much is a ticket to Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park?
- A ticket to Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park costs 2 euro + TVA (per person, by SMS to 7473 (text SEMENIC)). The park charges a visiting fee. It can be paid online on the Easy2Visit platform linked from the park's website (from ~13.6 lei per person, valid for the chosen date), or by text message to 7473 with the text SEMENIC (2 euros + VAT, valid on the day it is sent). Keep the confirmation text for the whole visit. Comarnic Cave has a separate ticket. The administration does not publish concessions or fees by category.
- What are the opening hours of Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park?
- Opening hours at Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park: daily open 24 hours. The park is open at all times on the marked trails and public roads. Comarnic Cave has its own opening hours, from April to October only. For other places in the park, the administration does not publish opening hours.
- How long does a visit to Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park take?
- A visit to Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park takes about 4½ – 5 hours (Carașova–Comarnic, one way).
- Can you visit Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park with kids?
- Yes, Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park is suitable for children (the 1.5 km themed trail).
- How do I get to Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park?
- Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park is located at Entrance to the Caraș Gorge, at the reserve's information board, Carașova, Caraș-Severin County. By car: Carașova is ~16 km from Reșița on the DN58, the road to Anina (~20 minutes). From Timișoara it is ~110 km (~2 hours), on the DJ592, DJ572 and DN58B via Bocșa to Reșița, then on the DN58. The entrance to the Caraș Gorge is on the edge of the village, at the reserve's information board. For the Semenic plateau, climb from Reșița on the DJ582 (Transsemenic) via Văliug, then on the DJ582E: ~41 km, ~1 hour. Anina, the starting point for the trails to the Gârliște Gorge and Lake Buhui, is ~16 km from Carașova, also on the DN58. Public transport: the nearest railway station is in Reșița. The park administration does not publish public transport connections to the park entrances; Carașova is on the DN58, between Reșița and Anina.
- When is the best time to visit Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park?
- The best season for Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park: April – October (Semenic in winter too, for skiing).
Reviews
Other attractions nearby
The closest attractions to Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park, sorted by distance.
8 km from Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park
21 km from Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park
28 km from Semenic – Caraș Gorge National Park
