THE DANUBE GORGES AND BOILERS IN ROMANIA - PLACES TO VISIT AND HIKING ROUTES
The Danube Gorge is one of the most interesting areas of Romania, stretching for about 50 km. The beauty of the landscapes is due to the Danube River, which has carved into the mountains, creating spectacular gorges. The landscapes are some of the most beautiful I have seen in Romania, and the area is not so popular among tourists, so it is not crowded and you can enjoy the views without too many people around.
The best time to visit this area is when the lilac trees are in full bloom, which is around April. If you choose to go on a hike, you have the opportunity to enjoy wild lilac trees, but also tulips or peonies. Nature in Romania is spectacular, and the Danube Gorge area is no exception.
HOW TO GET TO THE DANUBE GORGE:
As I said above, the gorge area stretches over a distance of 50 km. Whether you choose Dubova as your destination, or Eselnita or any other, the main road you need to take is DN57. This is the road that follows the course of the river and which you should keep in mind if you do not want to stray too far from the spectacular area of the Danube on the Romanian side.
If you are coming from Timisoara, follow DJ 592 to Lugoj, then E70 to Orsova, and then DN 57 to your destination.
If you are coming from Bucharest, follow the A1 to Pitesti, then DN65 to Craiova. From Craiova follow the DJ552 to Cetate, then DN56A to Drobeta. From there follow the E70 to Orsova, and then DN57 to your destination.
If you choose to use a navigator, when you arrive in the Danube Boilers area, I recommend checking the network you are connected to, especially if you have a subscription. Being so close to Serbia, it is possible that you may catch a signal from there and risk being charged extra.
WHERE TO STAY AT THE DANUBE GORGE:
- Vila Hercules - accommodation unit with double rooms, which has an outdoor pool, balcony, terrace, internet and parking;
- Clisura Dunarii Casutele Danca - accommodation unit with double rooms, which has a terrace, barbecue area, kitchen, internet and parking;
- Serenity - accommodation unit, which offers tourists double or family rooms. The location has parking and an outdoor swimming pool;
- Pensiunea Nobless Eșelnița - accommodation unit, which has double rooms and is equipped with an outdoor swimming pool and parking. It is located on the banks of the Danube, and the view from the swimming pool is absolutely gorgeous;
TOURIST ACTIVITIES AND PLACES TO VISIT AT THE DANUBE GORGE:
The statue of Decebalus is considered the largest stone statue in Europe. It is 55 meters high, and the initial idea was for a much more complex sculpture. This idea was abandoned due to the rock being crushed. Decebalus' nose is not part of the natural rock, being a concrete replacement, due to a crack in the rock.
The Mraconia Monastery, a monastic settlement of exceptional beauty, that was built to replace an old monastery that disappeared under the waters of the Danube following the construction of the Iron Gates dam, an ambitious hydroelectric infrastructure project. This new monastery not only preserves the religious traditions of the place, but also offers a spiritual refuge for believers who come to pray and admire the spectacular landscapes of the Danube Gorge, harmoniously combining history, faith and nature.
A boat tour is one of the activities you should not miss at the Danube Gorges. Usually, the boat tour is pretty much the same, regardless of the chosen organizer. There is a tour on the water, with a stop at the Veterani Cave and the Tabula Traiana, a memorial plaque from the Dacian and Roman periods.
Ponicova Cave, which can be reached both by land and by the Danube. If you choose the land option, you have to follow a small trail, which starts from DN57, descending next to the bridge over the river (from the exit from Dubova) and following the course of the water.
The Danube Cauldrons, which are composed of the Great Cauldrons and the Small Cauldrons. The best places to admire them are from the mountain. The view from the top is truly spectacular. We chose to follow the route to Ciucarul Mare, which has several viewpoints over the Danube Gorge.
HIKING TRAILS AT THE DANUBE GORGE:
The Iron Gates National Park is the closest to the Danube Boilers. It is a very rich area in flora and fauna, as well as very diverse in terms of the structure of the relief forms, here meeting types of karst and volcanic relief. The geological and geomorphological diversity are not to be ignored either, this area being considered a museum in natural size, even more so if we take into account the historical heritage and the traces left by the Dacian and Roman ancestors.
It is good to know that poisonous vipers live in this area, so it is necessary to take precautions. In general, they do not attack humans, unless they feel in danger, for example if you step on them by mistake. Precautions consist of wearing long pants, preferably made of loose material and wide on the leg, and hiking boots. Also, do not leave the marked trails and avoid areas with tall vegetation.
Also, before setting off on the trail, make sure you know the nearest health facility that has antiveripin serum, as there have been situations where the County Hospital in Drobeta Turnu Severin did not have it. Knowledge of first aid in case of a viper bite is also essential and can make the difference between life and death.
Hiking trails at Iron Gates National Park:
- route to the cross of Saint Peter - starts from DE 70 and crosses the village of Gura Vaii. The route takes approximately 3 hours and is 6.6 km long. It is marked with a blue line;
- Vodita- Dealul Duhovnei trail - starts from E70 near the Vodita viaduct. The route takes 7 hours and is 14.5 km long. It is marked with a yellow dot;
- Racovat- Baldovin route - starts from the village of Ilovita, on the road from the City Hall. The route takes 5 hours and is 11 km long. It is marked with a red dot;
- Tarovat route - starts from E70, outside the town of Orsova, heading towards Drobeta. It takes 5 hours and is 9.2 km long. It is marked with a blue triangle.
- Alion route - starts from E70, at the exit from Orsova, towards Drobeta. It takes approximately 2.5 hours and is 4.5km long. It is marked with a red triangle;
- the short route to Ciucarul Mic, which starts from DN 57, near Dubova Bay. It takes about an hour and is 2 km long. It is marked with a red triangle;
- the long route to Ciucarul Mic, which starts from Dubova Bay. It takes about 6 hours and is 9 km long. It is marked with a yellow triangle;
- route to Ciucarul Mare, which starts from DN 57, near Dubova. The route takes 2.5 hours and is 4.5km long. It is marked with a yellow triangle. The hike is a circuit type, very easy to follow and with breathtaking landscapes.
- route from Ciucarul Mare to Panicova, the route starts from the exit from Dubova towards Moldova Noua. It is 1.6 km long and can be completed in one hour. It is marked with a blue triangle;
- Liubotina - Cioaca Cremeneasca route, which starts on DN57, 8 km from Dubova, towards the village of Svinita. The route takes approximately 6 hours and is 12 km long. It is marked with a blue triangle;
- Cioaca Cremeneasca - Rudina route, which starts on DN57, 6 km from the village of Svinita, towards Dubova. The route takes 4 hours and is 8.2 km long. It is marked with a red triangle;
- Svinita-Tricule route, which starts on DN57, one km from Svinita, towards Berzeasca. The route takes 5 hours and is 9 km long. It is marked with a yellow triangle;
- Trescovat route, which starts on DN57, near Stariste. The route takes 8 hours and is 10 km long. It is marked with a blue triangle;
- route on the Valley of Water Mills - Camenita. It starts on DN57, at the exit of the Pojejena Socol locality. The route is 22 km long, with several secondary routes and takes approximately 6 hours. The main route is marked with a blue stripe, and the secondary route with a blue triangle.
- route Balta Nera Ostrov- Moldova Veche. It starts on DN57, at the exit of Socol, towards Pojejena. The route can be completed in approximately 6 hours and is 34km long on the secondary route and 4.5 km to the island of Moldova Veche. It is marked with a blue line;
- 3-day route to the village of Pemilor with red square marking. The route starts from Dubova and continues to the village of Eibenthal and Baia Noua. Eibenthal is a village with Czechs who settled in Romania around the 1820s.
CONCLUSIONS ABOUT THE DANUBE GORGE:
Although it is a beautiful area, apart from hiking options, there are not many activities you can do to keep you busy for a long time. I recommend spending 2-3 days in this area. If you are not, however, eager to see a lot of places, then the Danube Gorge is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the peace and nature.
Read also about another location on the Danube, Sfantu Gheorghe at the Danube Delta, or about other locations in Romania: hike to Curmatura Chalet, hike to Malaiesti Chalet, the villages of Magura and Pestera, Balea Waterfall, or Bran Castle.
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