Tourism highlights
Natural features
- some twenty mountain peaks top the 2,000m mark
- alpine pastures, wide plateaus covered with flowers
- there are sky-scraping peak-pyramids, deep ravines and ice-scoured parable synclines decorated with glacial lakes. More than 1/4 of the mountain is above the 1800 m timberline and glaciers have created terraced valleys that end in magnificent glacial bays, lakes and waterfalls.
- extraordinary passes, gorges, cavernous limestone caves and sinkholes can be found on the limestone area of the Retezat (the Small Retezat)
Cultural sights
Local communities and cultural sights from around the park area add a special value to that of the landscape and biodiversity inside the park. Three communes/communities are on the edge of the park, having also land-use rights in the alpine pastures for their livestock. These are Salasu de Sus, Rau de Mori and Campu lui Neag. People in these communities still practice traditional agriculture and preserve some of the traditional lifestyle of the area.
13th century churches, remains of a fortress Cetatea Colt (that has inspired Jules Verne in his novel “The Castle from the Carpathians”) and the sight of the Roman capital Sarmisegetusa Ulpia Traiana can be visited close to the Park.
Densuş Church – 10th century, one of the oldest orthodox churches in Europe, still used for religious services
Mălăieşti forth (14th century)
Sălaşu de Sus Church
Sântămăria Orlea Church (13th century)
Prislop Monastery (14th century)
Things to do
hiking/walking/trekking, wildlife, camping, climbing, skiing, nordic ski, mountain biking, bird watching
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