Seemingly floating above the clouds and gently sloping into the wooded hills beneath, Parang Mountains are the epitome of adventure! According to old legends, the mythical hero Prometheus himself was chained in Parang Mountains, and after the giants that are believed to have inhabited its peaks, the Dacian god Zalmoxis was supposed to have ruled from this mountain!

Parâng Mountains are revealed in all their majesty and wilderness without any secrets. The barren ridges that are visible from afar actually guard a natural heaven with crystal clear glacial lakes, deep evergreen forests and enchanting river valleys that are teeming with wildlife. The main ridge of Parâng connects its highest peaks from east to west, along the border of Vâlcea, Gorj and Hunedoara counties, in southwestern Romania. One of the unique wild destinations of Romania, the stone giant of Parang holds many old stories and legends. Although impressive through its massive size and wilderness, it has been conquered long ago, with pathways and roads that reach into its heart.

The best way to visit and explore these mountains is along the Transalpina Mountain Road (the highest in Romania) or the road the goes along the northern edge of these mountains (from Petroșani to Brezoi). There are also plenty of hiking trails in the mountains of Parang, most of them being fairly accessible and without any technical difficulties. Along with a wealth of diverse plant species, there are also habitats for wild bears, wolves, mountain goats among others. With the arrival of spring, herds of sheep start their ascension towards the mountain sheepfolds, descending again before winter sets in.The highest peaks of Parâng resemble a castle in the sky, hiding impressive glacial cauldrons between them. Of these peaks, Parângu Mare is the fourth highest in Romania, at 2519 meters. It is surrounded by more than 25 peaks that are over 2000 meters, creating its majestic silhouette. The views that open up from the high ridge are truly astonishing, with abrupt cliffs, enchanting lakes, deep forests and large pastures.

The ridges branching towards the north are short and abrupt, while the ones towards the south are long and gentle. The glacial lakes that adorn the higher ridges of these mountains are one of its highlights, creating breathtaking alpine landscapes. Depending on the season and weather, these enchanting lakes feature incredible colors, from turquoise blue to emerald green, while spring usually brings the magical explosion of the rhododendron blooms. This spectacular area can be discovered along some amazing hiking trails that reach deep into its wild heart, revealing breathtaking landscapes. The most popular and impressive is known as the Parâng Ridge Trail and it connects the highest peaks along 40 kilometers. In the north, The wild and narrow Jieț Gorges can be reached from the town of Petroșani and all along its 5 kilometers, we can discover stunning view and during some cold winters, the valley becomes an almost ethereal destination, with the rock walls being covered in glistening waterfalls of ice.

Further along, this road intersects Transalpina at Obârșia Lotrului and continues along the lush valley of the Lotru River. After a few kilometers, it reaches the large Vidra Lake, created through a dam in the middle of the mountains. There is also a new ski domain on the right ridge, offering an exciting ski slope and amazing panoramas of the lake. From the town of Petroșani, we can also reach the Parâng Mountain Resort, with several excellent ski slopes and accommodation spaces. The western ridges of these mountains are bordered by the splendid valley of Jiu River, included in the Jiu Defile National Park. On the southeastern corner, the Galbenu and Olteț rivers have carved two astonishing valleys through a limestone portion of the mountains. A short way into the gorges, the fascinating Polovragi Cave opens up on the right and invites us to discover its treasures. The nearby valley of Galbenu also features a small gorge area, where the impressive Muierii Cave can be explored.

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Sights of Parâng Mountains

Parâng Ridge Trail

The ridge trail of Parang Mountains (red band) connects the highest peaks by following the main ridge on an east-west direction and for a total length of over 40 kilometers. It can be hiked in about 18-20 hours (2-3 days) starting from the Curmătura Oltețului Pass in the east to the town of Petroșani (Parâng Resort) in the west. This spectacular adventure offers travelers the opportunity to admire some of the most impressive landscapes of the Carpathians, with splendid glacial lakes lonely sheepfolds, rocky peaks and green pastures. It is not an easy trek, with a lot of elevation gain, but it is quite safe, as there are no extremely difficult or technical portions.

Glacial Lakes of Parâng

The Parang Mountains feature 22 amazing glacial lakes that greatly enhance the alpine landscape. From east to west, the most important lakes are Mija, Cârja, Verde, Slivei, Zănoaga Stânii, Zănoaga Gemănării, Mândra, Lung, Roșiile (deepest – 17 meters), Ghereșul, Zănoaga Mare, Câlcescu (largest – 3 ha), Păsări, Pencu, Vidal și Iezer, each with its own particular charm. Most of them can be admired from the maine ridge trail, usually located in deep glacial valley on the northern side. Many of these spectacular lakes are also close to other hiking trails. One of their main traits is the changing colors according to the light from turqoise to emerald and indigo.

Other Hiking Trails

Apart from the main ridge trail, the Parang Mountains offers other fascinating hiking paths. Most of them climb towards the main ridge from the surrounding valleys, the best known starting in the northern Jieț and Lotru valleys. One of the best starts at the Groapa Seacă Lodge, climbing along the Jieț Valley (red dot) towards the lakes of Roșiile and then towards the Parângul Mare Peak. This trail also has a few side variants that go towards the Mija Ridge, the Slivei Lake or the Piatra Tăiată Pass. Another hiking trail (red cross) starts along the Transalpina Road along the Lotru Valley towards the glacial cauldron of Câlcescu and further to Piatra Tăiată. There are also a few trails that start in the villages on the southern edge of the mountains, climbing towards the Parângul Mare peak or the Rânca resort. Usually, the most popular and transited trails are very well maintained and signaled.

Olteț Valley and Muierii Cave

The incredibly wild Olteț Gorges can be found north of the Polovragi village and while quite short at just over 1 kilometer, it is actually one of the narrowest canyons in Europe. The walls of the two mountains are just a few meters apart, while the river can only be heard beneath the road. The idyllic valley continues all the way up into the mountains, revealing splendid scenery along the way and finally reaching the small Petrimanu Lake hidden between the ridges. A short way into the gorges, the fascinating Polovragi Cave opens up on the right and invites us to discover its treasures.

The cave is a spectacular 10 km long labyrinth of tunnels and galleries created by the river over millions of years, only a short part of them included in the tourist experience. Inside, we can discover its marvelous geological formations, including domes, stalactites, stalagmites, columns and basins, but also traces of its previous inhabitants. Both the gorges and the cave are natural reservations, protecting the unique landscapes, as well as the great diversity of vegetal and animal species.

The nearby valley of Galbenu also features a small gorge area, where the impressive Muierii Cave can be explored. It was the first cave in Romania with artificial lighting and is also famous for the prehistoric human skull that was discovered within. It was dated to about 35.000 years ago and proved to have nord-African origins, completely changing entire migration theories. It was also inhabited by cave bears and their skeletons can still be seen today, while medieval people used it as a shelter and refuge during perilous times. The 1 km long tourist itinerary also reveals its geological marvels, including unbelievable formations that were given suggestive surnames.

Jieț and Lotru Valleys

The wild Jieț Gorges can be reached from the town of Petroșani and all along its 5 kilometers, we can discover narrow canyons, small waterfalls and sometimes even wildlife. During some cold winter days, the valley becomes an almost ethereal destination, with the rock walls being covered in glistening waterfalls of ice. Further along, this road intersects Transalpina at Obârșia Lotrului and continues along the lush valley of the Lotru River. After a few kilometers, it reaches the large Vidra Lake, created through a dam in the middle of the mountains. Surrounded by the evergreen woods, the lake has a length of about 9 km and the road follows its bends for most of it. There is also a new ski domain on the right ridge, offering an exciting ski slope and amazing panoramas of the lake.

Transalpina Mountain Road

Representing an old sheepherding trail across the mountains, Transalpina was first paved during the First World War for its strategic importance. Reaching the highest altitude for a road in the country, the Transalpina, also known as the “King’s Road”, truly is one of the most exciting and unforgettable experiences in the country. The road crosses the Carpathian Mountains, connecting the historical regions of Transylvania and Wallachia. More precisely, it links the towns of Novaci in Gorj County with Sebeș in Alba County, for a total length of about 130 kilometers, filled with countless emotions.

Jiu Defile National Park

One of the most beautiful and wild areas of Romania was created through the eternal battle between the Carpathians and Jiu River. Once an impassable valley, the winding course river can now be followed for over 30 km, discovering incredibly beautiful landscapes and other marvels. The Jiu Defile is located between the mountains of Parâng and Vâlcan, along a stretch of about 30 km between the towns of Bumbești-Jiu and Petroșani. There is an important road passing through the valley (E79 / DN66), as well as an impressive railway, with 39 tunnels and countless high bridges. In the heart of the wild Jiu Defile National Park, on the banks of the thumbling river rises one of the most beautiful monasteries in Romania. The monastery of Lainici watches over the mountain pass for centuries, welcoming those in search of peace and serenity.

Rânca Ski Resort

One of the most accessible ski and mountain resorts of Romania, but also one of the busiest during the winter season, Rânca is located along the Transalpina Mountain Road and features a great number and wide range of accommodation options right by the ski slopes. The skiing domain is located at 1.600 meters altitude and includes 6 ski slopes, most of them quite short, but equipped with all the cable transportation facilities, some also having artificial snow. There is also a new slope in the northern part of the resort, along the steep Păpușa Mountain.

Parâng Ski Resort

Located just a few kilometers from the city of Petroșani, the skiing domain of Parâng stretches at an altitude of 1.700-1.800 meters, on the sotuhern edge of the Parângu Mic Mountain. One of the older mountain resorts in this part of the country, it does have a particular charm and superb panoramas of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It has 6 main ski slopes, totaling a length of about 8 kilometers, as well as a few lodges and hotels, both at the base and along the slopes.

Accommodation on Victory Avenue

There are plenty of accommodation options in Parâng Mountains, most of them located inside the Rânca resort, but also a few in Parâng Mountain resort and in Obârșia Lotrului point. More guesthouses can be found in some of the villages at the southern foot of the mountains (Polovragi, Baia de FIer, Crasna). These mountains do not have too many remote cabins and huts along the hiking trails.