Cheile Nerei - Beusnița National Park, Anina Mountains

Cârșa Waterfall, Bigăr Waterfall, Bigăr Spring, Bigăr Grotto

Access

The tourist attractions presented in the National Park Cheile Nerei - Beusnița, in this post are practically on the road or very close to it, on the national road DN57B, which connects the town of Oravița to the national road DN6, which is also a European road (E70). The distance from Oravița to Cârșa Waterfall is 32 km and another 8 km to Bigăr Waterfall, which can be covered in 45 minutes on a paved mountain road with many winding roads. The nearest town to the Cârșa waterfall is Anina, 14 km away on the DN57B and then the DN58.

About Anina Mountains

The Anina Mountains or Caras Mountains are limestone limestone mountains and are part of the Banat Mountains, Western Carpathian group. They are located in the geographical area of Banat Montan. Their maximum altitude, 1,160 m, is reached at the peak of Leordiș.

About Cheile Nerei - Beusnița National Park

We are in one of the most beautiful natural, wild areas of Romania in Caras Severin County. The Cheile Nerei - Beusnița National Park is a protected area with the aim of preserving the natural ecosystems created along and around the Cheile Nerei.
In the national park we encountered numerous information boards and large, clear maps, signposts guiding the steps of tourists in a world of wonder. The tourist routes are very well marked.
The National Park Cheile Nerei - Beușnița is famous for some very attractive natural tourist attractions, such as Cheile Nerei, Cheile Carașului, Cheile Minișului, Cheile Gârliștei, Cheile Gârliștei, Cheile Buhuiului, Comarnic Cave, Popovăț Cave, Buhui Cave, Buhui Lake, Ochiul Bei Lake, Beușnița Waterfall, Bigăr Waterfall.

Route map

(click on objectives for extended version)

Technical Box

Difficulty: easy
Duration / distance: 0.5 hours / 1 km
Bookmark: unmarked
Water sources: in the spring, but it is calcareous
Minimum altitude: 330 meters above sea level on the bank of the Minis, at the waterfall baya
Maximum altitude: 400 meters above sea level at the cave
Level difference: +100 m / -100 m
Remarks: an exposed passage to access the cave

1. Cascada Cârșa

Cascada Cârșa waterfall is just off the highway, on the national road DN57B. It is signposted. To be able to stop your car safely, I recommend that you drive another 200 meters where there is an off-road stopping place.
The Cârșa waterfall can be admired and photographed from the paved road. It formed at the confluence of the Cârșa stream into the Miniș river, on the right side of the Miniș. Our road was on the left bank. The descent to the bank is not recommended, crossing the main course is not possible, the river has a high flow and a strong current and it seems to be deep. It is fed by rainwater, so at certain times of the year it is dry. The total water fall is 30 meters. The waterfall is more spectacular than the famous Bigăr waterfall nearby, some tourists mistakenly think they have reached Bigăr when they see this beautiful waterfall.

The Cascade

2. Bigăr Waterfall

After only 8 km heading east we reach the famous Bigăr Waterfall. It is also on the main road, on the DN57B, in the administrative territory of Bozovici municipality. There is a parking lot a few hundred meters before the waterfall. The Bigăr waterfall is right on the 45th parallel. It is signposted. From the road, a stone path with stairs leads down below the road level, on the left bank of the Minis River, opposite the waterfall, right in front of it, offering the best viewpoint of the Bigăr Waterfall.
There is also a wooden bridge that crosses the Minis River on the side where the Bigăr Waterfall is located and where there are several resting places under a gazebo.
The Bigăr waterfall is located on the Bigăr river just where it flows into the Minis river over a rocky sill covered with travertine due to the limestone content in the water.
In 2013, The World Geography ranked the Bigăr Waterfall as the world's most impressive waterfall. You will say wow!
In 2021, following the formation of a strong torrent on the Bigăr river, part of the waterfall was naturally destroyed. I do not want to claim that it is not an interesting waterfall, but there are certainly hundreds of other waterfalls in the world and dozens in Romania that are more spectacular. Although I have also read totally opposite opinions, I consider that the most attractive aspect of the waterfall is when the stream does not have a very high flow, as in the attached pictures, but a medium to low one, because then the water droplets seem to drip down the moss on the rock forming a kind of mushroom hat or a lampshade of drops.

The waterfall was 7 to 8 meters high.

Bigăr Waterfall

3. Bigăr Spring

Near the Bigăr Waterfall, after crossing the bridge over the Minis River, we find a signpost inviting us to 2 other attractions located nearby. A wide, mainly stone path follows the right bank of the Bigăr stream upstream. After 200 meters you reach the Bigăr spring. Walking time 6 minutes.
From beneath a massive cliff, the waters of the Bigăr stream emerge with force and flow. The site is easily accessible. Only those with inadequate footwear should be careful on the path to avoid slipping during periods of high humidity.

from the Bigăr waterfall to izbuc

Bigăr spring

4. Bigăr Cave

Near the spring there is a wooden bridge over the Bigăr stream, followed by a staircase that climbs 20 meters up to the Bigăr Grotto. After rainy periods the waters of the brook are swollen and raging and may wash away the bottom of the bridge. After the staircase, you can continue steeply for another 5 meters on a slippery limestone cliff right up to the entrance of Grota Bigăr. Although this short but difficult and exposed section of the path is secured with a rigid metal bar for safety, it is advisable for those who are not familiar with such a stretch to refrain for safety reasons.