Zărnești Gorge (Prăpăstiile Zărneștilor)

About Zărnești Gorge (Prăpăstiile Zărneștilor)

The Prăpăstiile Zărneștilor, also called the Zărnești Gorge or Cheile Zărneștilor, are a gorge sector in the north-east of the Piatra Craiului massif, south of Zărnești, on the territory of Măgura village. The gorges are 3.9 km long in total, and the largest sector, Valea Prăpăstiilor, is 1.7 km: a narrow valley with vertical walls and layered limestone. The geological nature reserve covers 109.8 ha and lies inside Piatra Craiului National Park; it is declared a natural monument.

The valley is dry today, but according to the park administration it went through four stages: a surface river, then its capture underground and a cave, the collapse of the cave roof, which left a narrow canyon behind, and finally the loss of the water underground a second time. The walls keep traces of the geological processes of the Jurassic, with folded and faulted limestone layers. With some luck you can see chamois, rock butterflies and rock flowers.

Information verified on 24 October 2026.

Good to know before you go

Getting there

By car: from Zărnești, take the DJ 112G south, past the Gura Râului Chalet, to Fântâna lui Botorog and the entrance to the gorge (~5 km from the town, ~10 minutes); the last ~2 km are on a stone road that any car can drive. From Brașov, via Cristian and Râșnov, it is ~30 km to Zărnești (~40 minutes). You can also come from Peștera, on an unpaved road through Măgura. Cars are not allowed past the barrier on the forest road.

Public transport: regional trains run from Brașov to Zărnești station (~1 hour). From there it is ~5 km to Fântâna lui Botorog, on foot or by taxi.

Where to park

You park at Fântâna lui Botorog, in an undeveloped car park, and continue on foot towards the gorge. On summer weekends the spaces fill up early. Come in the morning.

Fees & discounts

The gorge is part of Piatra Craiului National Park, so the park visiting fee applies: 10 lei for one person or 20 lei for two people, valid for 7 days; the season pass costs 40 lei. Tickets can be bought from the blue machines at the post office in Zărnești, at the Visitor Centre, at Plaiul Foii Chalet and at the bridge at Valea lui Ivan, online on pcrai.ro or by text message to 7473 (Pcrai1 for one person, 2 euros + VAT). Keep the SMS confirmation during your visit. Holders of a valid ticket or pass, under-18s and residents of the communities around the park are exempt. The fee also includes the Visitor Centre in Zărnești.

Rules

Stay on the marked trails and take your litter with you. Do not pick plants, light fires except in the designated places, and keep quiet, because bears and chamois live in the area. Do not leave food within a bear's reach. Cars, motorbikes and ATVs do not enter the zones where motor access is forbidden. Wear shoes with a good sole and do not stay under the walls in wet weather.

Facilities

Undeveloped car park at Fântâna lui Botorog · wide forest road, accessible to children and people with disabilities · no shops or restaurants in the gorge · Curmătura Chalet at the end of the trail towards the ridge