Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park

Domogled–Valea Cernei National Park is a protected area of IUCN category II in south-western Romania, on the territory of the counties Caraș-Severin, Gorj and Mehedinți. It lies in the Retezat-Godeanu group of the Southern Carpathians, in the basin of the Cerna River, across the Cerna and Godeanu Mountains on one side and the Vâlcan and Mehedinți Mountains on the other. It was declared a protected area by law in 2000 and is a mountain area of cirques, peaks, sinkholes, limestone pavements, caves, pit caves, valleys and waterfalls, which shelters a large variety of flora and fauna.

Visiting Domogled–Valea Cernei

Băile Herculane is the starting point for many trails, and the park's tourist information centre, on road 67D north of the spa town, sells park tickets. There are 13 trails: one easy, eight moderate and four hard, through deep river valleys, limestone gorges and dense forest, with the Corcoaia gorge a highlight. Hike early to see the waterfalls and avoid afternoon cloud in the gorge. Spring, summer and autumn suit hiking, and winter needs snow and ice gear. A car or local transport helps for remote trailheads. In the spa town, the Imperial Neptun baths have been known since Roman times for their thermal springs, and the abandoned baths give a glimpse of the resort's past. Ask at the centre about fees and the rules for dogs and camping.