Glacial lakes, high peaks and old-growth forest in Romania's Retezat Mountains
Retezat holds about eighty glacier lakes and more than sixty peaks over 2,300 m, with Peleaga the highest. The Gemenele scientific reserve protects 1,800 hectares of intact old-growth forest.
1Bucura Lake (Lacul Bucura)The biggest glacier lake in Romania, high in the Retezat Mountains.2Peleaga PeakThe highest peak of the Retezat Mountains, at 2,509 metres.3Gemenele scientific reserveStrictly protected, with 1,800 hectares of intact old-growth forest.
Things to do
On footWalk from Cârnic to the hut at Pietrele, about 2 hr away
On footWalk to Bucura Lake (Lacul Bucura)
On footClimb Peleaga Peak
Try thisCamp at Bucura or Zănoaga, where fires are not allowed, so bring a gas stove
Romania · HunedoaraEst. 1935Size 380 km²Highest 2,509 mProtected area category: IUCN II