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Bicaz Gorge

Harghita  >  Romania

Bicaz Gorge is a deep limestone gorge and part of the Cheile Bicazului-Hășmaș National Park. Several specific birds and buttterflies can be seen.

Added* by Moldovan Stefan
Most recent update 28 december 2023

Description

The Bicaz Gorge is a very scenic canyon that serves as a passageway between the Romanian provinces of Moldova and Transylvania. It is situated in the central part of the Hășmaș Mountains, and it is part of the Cheile Bicazului-Hășmaș National Park. The road along the 10 kilometres of ravines, often in serpentines with rock on one side and a sheer drop on the other, is one of the most spectacular drives in Romania. The gorge has a part that is so narrow that it is known as 'Hell's Gate'.

Bicaz Gorge has several species tied to canyons that are easy to spot here. skalni plezalček and planinski hudournik are the most sought after species here along with the critically endangered Apollo Butterfly. Among the other birds you can encounter are skalna lastovka, planinski orel, planinska pevka, gozdni jereb, divji petelin, triprsti detel, črna žolna, Krekovt, povodni kos, pivka and siva pastirica.

Details

Access

The Bicaz Gorge is located in the north-east of Romania. The canyon is about 10 km long, running from Lacu Roșu to Bicaz-Chei. The road through the gorges (National road DN12C, also known locally as Cheile Bicazului) is totally paved but pretty narrow, with tunnels and 12 hairpin turns. The gorge twists and turns steeply cutting through sheer, 300m-high limestone rocks. At one point, the narrow mountain road runs beneath the overhanging rocks in a section known as the ‘Hell's Gate’ (Gâtul Iadului).

The area is best accessible by car. Click on a P in the map for directions to a parking spot. Also worthy to visit by foot is the Suhardul Mic (Kiscohárd) peak (1 hour trekking from the main road, also indicated on the map).

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Canyon/cliff , Mountain

Conditions

Mountainous , Rocky

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Spring , Autumn , Summer

Best time to visit

Summer , Autumn

Route

Paved road

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

A nice stop in the surroundings is the Mushroom Bungalow (65 km) which has suitable accommodation and also you can have guided birding trips in the surroundings for belohrbti detel, 7 tit species, 6 woodpecker species, and most alpine and mountain species.

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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