Time for hiking in the National Parks of Neamt County, places of rest and relaxation

Whether we are talking about Ceahlău National Park, Cheile Bicazului – Hăşmaş National Park or Vânători Neamţ Natural Park, they all make up ideal destinations for spending spare time, experiencing the beauty of nature in all its forms, with the rich diversity of plants and animals and also places full of history and spiritually charged places of worship. Reaching the natural protected areas of Neamţ County, the tourists can climb the mountain routes or choose to cross through the ancient forests, roar across the picturesque valleys and enjoy the idyllic landscape of the meadows beside the rivers.

The Ceahlau National Park consists of three protected areas: “Ocolaşul Mare” Scientific Reservation, the Botanical Reservation “The Lilies Shelf” (Romanian “Polita cu Crini”) and the natural monuments “Duruitoarea Waterfall” and “Avenul Mare Pit”. There are also over 1100 species of flowers and 90 species of birds and animals. The Ceahlău Massif is one of the most impressive mountains in Romania, considered the only holy mountain in the country and the second holy mountain of Christianity, around the world. In order to reach the plateau of Ceahlău Massif, tourists can choose among 7 mountain trails.

When walking the paths of Ceahlău, one can enjoy the harmonious blend between the open skyline and the magnificent, overwhelming lace of the corners, towers, shelves, and stone walls. Ceahlău is much like an open-air museum, with uniquely configurated exhibits, each having a legend of its own:  Dochia, Panaghia, Toaca, Dorobanţul, Călugării, Piatra Lăcrămată, Turnul lui Butu, Poliţele cu crini, Detunatele and many more.

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The Național Park Bicaz Gorges – Hășmaș, a renowned touristic attraction, delights the visitors with unique natural beauties such as the Natural Reservation Șugău’s Gorges Lapoşului’s Gorge, Munticelu Cave, the Tunnel Cave, the Glod Cave and the Bicaz Gorges. Here, 18 different hiking trails are available to the tourists, who can admire the spectacular landscapes and choose from many recreational activities.

Formed over the years by the erosion of less harsh mesozoic limestone produced by Bicaz River and its tributaries, the Bicaz Gorges is one of the most attractive natural areas in the country, regardless the season one chooses to come here.

The road that crosses the Bicaz Gorges is full of beautiful serpentines, and the huge cave walls of the rocks reveal caves (the Black Cave and the Waterfall Cave) and pits (Licaş and Avenul cu Trei Intrări). Behind the massive cliffs of Bicaz Gorges there is also one of the most isolated communities in Neamt County: the village of Bârnadu, where from the road continues till Vithovos Peak.

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In Vânători Neamţ Natural Park tourists find a great diversity of natural, cultural and historical values. The park is famous for preserving and protecting the bison – legally protected species, but also for natural reservations: “Dragoş Vodă” Reservation of Bisons and Carpathian Fauna, the Cooper Woods -hornbeam forest- (Romanian “Codrii de Aramă”), the Silver Forest -birch forest- (Romanian “Pădurea de argint”), and the Emerald Forest -oak forest- (Romanian “Pădurea de Smarald”), all three forests being symbolic and unique places which were imortalised through Mihai Eminescu poetry.

Also, here one can find the Monastery Path, which is the road leading to the most famous monasteries in Neamt: starting from Agapia Monastery and Agapia Veche Hermitage, continuing towards Secu and Sihăstria Monastery, then Sihla Hermitage and the cave of St. Theodora. The Monastery Path consists of a 22-km route that will undoubtedly offer tourists a very special personal and spiritual experience.

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