Cheile Nerei - Beusnița National Park, Anina Mountains

1. Roman tunnels in Cheile Nerei - 1 hour round trip

The highlights of Cheile Nerei - Beusnița National Park are Nerei Gorges.

Near Bei Bridge there is a signpost showing the direction and marking red tape towards Cheile Nerei and Sasca Română 1 hour. The well marked path passes through Roman Tunnelswhere it takes 5 minutes according to the sign. In fact it took only 2 minutes to the first tunnel and 30 minutes to the last one.

We follow upstream the left bank of the Nerei on a clear path partly made of earth in the wooded area, but mainly of stone in the rocky area. We enjoyed the spring flowers such as the vervils and snowdrops, but especially the spectacular tunnels situated sometimes at dizzying heights compared to the bed of the Nere riverbed, which can also be crossed by pneumatic boat. At a certain point the path snakes along a narrow branch secured by a safety cable mounted in the rocky slope above the precipice. It is possible for any tourist, but requires caution and responsibility.

The return is on the same route. Those who wish to continue upstream can cover the entire 20km-long Black Gorges in 6 to 9 hours.

Roman tunnels there are 7 of them, the longest measuring 40 meters. The longest one is the very last of the 7 in the one-way described here and is called the Great Tunnel. They are cut into the rock at an average height of 15 meters above the course of the Nera.

2. Camping Valea Beiului - Lake Ochiul Bei - 45 minutes there, 30 minutes return

From the Bei Bridge we head towards the Cantonul Silvic 3 or Păstrăvărie or Camping, on the Bei Valley. There are 5 km, which can be covered in 1 hour on foot or 15 minutes by car, but at very low speed, avoiding obstacles. The road is an unpaved forest road. At the end of this access road is the Valea Beiului campsite, located in a wide clearing, before the trout herd, next to a forestry canton. You can park here.

At the entrance to the tourist trail there is a map, a signpost and a warning about the presence of vipers. The marker to follow is yellow stripe and our walk would require 30 minutes to Lake Ochiul Bei. We needed 45 minutes to the lake. On the return 15 minutes less. Also consider many stops for pictures as you will need it.

The route is an easy and delightful one through the forest along the Beiului Valley, which we experienced in February with high water flow. We admired the trout from the marked trail above it.

At 15 minutes from the start there is a branch of marked trails, to the left the red cross marker guiding tourists to a fortress, we continued ahead on the yellow stripe marker.

On the last bend of the road before the lake, we were amazed by the stepped waterfall at the confluence of the Beușnita and Beiului Valleys, which is called the Beușnita Waterfalls, the largest waterfall being 5 meters high, the steps being made of travertine. Let's not confuse these waterfalls with the large Beușnița waterfall that you will learn about in the next step.

Before the lake you have to cross the Bei river first from stone to stone, then over a wooden bridge. We had fun when we got off balance and had to continue crossing the stream quite wide through the water. Of course it is not playful and care must be taken when crossing. But the water was not deep so on the way back we deliberately waded through the water having fun with the bite of our water shoes. The trail is accessible to all tourists.

Lake Ochiul Bei is a karst lake with an area of 284 square meters. The area is wild, the lake seems to appear out of nowhere and its turquoise color can never be forgotten. The lake is stocked with trout and is 4 meters deep. At the upper end, it is fed by a powerful underground spring, a spring.

3. Lake Ochiul Bei - Beusnitsa Waterfall - 30 minutes there, 30 minutes back

We can't get enough of Lake Ochiul Bei. From the lake we'll follow the marker red cross. The estimated time of 30 minutes was our estimated time on the signpost. With the exception of a small steep climb just at the entrance to the trail, which still offers a superb view of the lake and takes us above the spectacular succession of waterfalls at the confluence of the Beiului and Beușniței Valleys, the trail is easy, easy going. We'll admire carpets of snowdrops and vlorescents, for this is how it is at the end of winter in the mountains. Towards the end of the trail we saw a few patches of snow, but not on the path.

The Beusnița offers many interesting settings interspersed with small waterfalls, which are cool due to the high flow of the river. At your destination you will find large explanatory panels. And the .... waterfall, yes, the .... waterfall is sensational.

A fan of larger or smaller threads of water twists in one of the most spectacular waterfalls seen in Romania. Beneath the rock over which the waterfall has formed is an active cave, through which a branch of the river continues its underground course. It is truly wow!

Beusnița (Great) Waterfall measures 15 meters high. The return to Ochiul Bei Lake and onward to the campground was the same road.

4. La Văioaga Waterfall

We returned to the cars, wet feet after the beautiful adventure at Lake Ochiul Bei. We will turn back towards the Beu Bridge, but we will stop after 2 km, at the signpost marking the presence La Văioaga Waterfalls. It was formed on the main course of the Bei River. From the forest road you can descend in 2 minutes to the base of the waterfall. I recommend the trail that is a few meters downstream from the signpost and not the one next to the signpost. The base of the waterfall is 20 meters lower than the forest road. It is a heavily vegetated area, which makes it possible to pass by the waterfall without enjoying the waterfall show if you are driving and don't know its location or don't notice the signpost while concentrating on avoiding the traps on the forest road.

I recommend you to stop and pose by this waterfall as well. The waterfall is 5 meters high.