Retezat National Park (Parcul Naţional Retezat)

Retezat National Park

 

Location: Hunedoara County Map

Area: 38 hectares (94 acres)

Elevation: 2482 m

 

Description of Retezat National Park

Retezat National Park is the oldest nature preserve Romania situated in Hunedoara County.  Retezat National Park covers an area of 38 hectares or 93 acres of Retezat mountains. It contains over 100 glacier lakes surrounded by picturesque mountains. Fauna species include badgers, lynx, bears, wolves, wild boars, several species of deer and other animals. There are several camping places on the territory of park, but most of them lack lavatories and other amenities. Most of camp sites are free of charge. The best time to visit the park is in the late spring, early summer or late summer and early fall. If you travel by yourself bring something that rattles. Several species like bears, boars and lynxes are known to have attacked humans who surprised animals. Additionally if you see a cub or a small piglet avoid him or her by all means. Its mother might be around and she might not be happy to see you around its baby.

 

Fauna

The national park is home to large species of European predators such as the brown bear, wolf and lynx, as well as smaller species such as the common fox or the Central European forest cat. Red deer, European roe deer and wild boar are also found here. Chamois and the Alpine marmot live in the highlands. River otters, trout and darkfish live in the rivers of the national park. Pine forests are inhabited by capercaillie, cedar - by nutcrackers.

Diurnal birds of prey are represented by rare golden eagle, lesser spotted eagle, eagle owl, griffon vulture and brown vulture.

Chaffinch, song thrush, white-throated thrush, little flycatcher, chiffchaff and rock swallow, common lentil, three-toed woodpecker, horned lark nest among 120 other bird species in the national park. Therefore, the national park has also been declared a special protected area for birds.

Reptiles are represented by the viper, and amphibians by the alpine newt.

 

Flora

Over one third of the Romanian flora can be found in the Retezat Mountains.

Mountain meadows form the basis for rich alpine flora. In the mountainous regions, various forest species grow, such as beeches, spruces and firs, birches and mountain ash. Pine trees are common at subalpine heights. The border of the forests lies at around 1,900 m, where from time to time a few more fir trees resist the harsh climate. European cedars offer a food base for many bird species. Rhododendron grows in some areas, and green alder is also found. Scree and stones dominate among the high peaks.

The protection of the rich alpine flora was the main reason for the founding of the national park.

Some of the species found here are relatively rare, such as Dianthus glacialis, grits, mytnik, Primula minima, astragalus, Erigeron acris, sagebrush and Nigritella.

Retezat National Park is the genetic center of two important mountain plant genera, hawksbill and bluegrass.