Romania's primary and old growth forests have not yet been accurately and comprehensively "officially" mapped. Nature conservation organizations (such as EuroNatur, Agent Green) have studied known primary / old growth forests and potential areas (aerial photographs and field inspections) and estimate that there are still around 500,000 ha of primary and old growth forests intact. However, less than 80,000 of these are currently under strict protection.

The biggest chunks of primary and old growth forests have been detected in the southwestern and southern Carpathians, in particular in the areas of Semenic-Cheile Carasului national park / Natura 2000 site, in Cheile Nerei-Beusnita national park / Natura 2000 site, in Domogled - Valea Cernei national park / Natura 2000 site, in Nordul Gorjului de Vest Natura 2000 site, in Retezat national park / Natura 2000 site, in Cozia national park / Natura 2000 site and in Fagaras Mountains Natura 2000 site. In the east and north of the country (Neamt, Bacau, Suceava, Maramures regions) there are even more areas with primary and old-growth forests, but these are more severely affected by logging and are more fragmented.

As part of a project, which has been led by the Rottenburg University of Applied Forest Sciences (HFR) and funded by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) and the Heidehof Foundation, we have explored several primary forest areas in Romania and searched for suitable hiking areas.

Our goal: to find hiking trails through impressive primary forests that offer unforgettable experiences and allow you to immerse yourself in the wilderness on safe paths. We only selected areas with existing marked hiking trails so as not to disturb untouched natural areas. And: the forests should be easily accessible by car and public transport – the latter being a major challenge in Romania. 

We concentrated on two areas: Fagaras Mountains and Domogled - Valea Cernei national park. Both areas are home to great pristine forests, some of which are also protected as component parts of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe”. 

We can introduce you to some unique, wild forest areas and recommend extraordinary tours into the heart of very old and enchanted forests...

... in the fantastic Fagaras Mountains 

... and in the magnificent Domogled - Valea Cernei National Park