Uricani: Hiking Trails, Culture and Nature

Uricani offers hikes on tourist mountain trails and established themed trails with varying levels of difficulty.

Culture

Uricani is the starting point of the local cultural tourism route “Ținutul Momârlanilor”. Regionally, Uricani is the starting point of the cultural tourism route “Drumul haiducului Neag”. The cultural tourism route “Ruta culturală a bisericilor de lemn din Depresiunea Petroșani – Valea Jiului”, which is integrated into the cross-border “Ruta Cultural Turistică a Bisericilor de lemn din România și Moldova”, also starts here.

Active pursuits

Uricani’s active tourism activities include trail running, ski touring, mountaineering, climbing and mountain biking. Ecotourism activities include observing flora and fauna, collecting medicinal plants, and bird and wildlife watching. Along the Liliacului Trail, visitors in Dodoconi and Valea de Brazi can observe the traditions of pastoral farming, sheep husbandry and beekeeping. The “Uricani – Câmpu lui Neag – Câmpul Mielului – Câmpușel” tourist cycling route connects these four places. The roads to several of Uricani’s natural attractions have relatively little traffic and are suitable for cycling.

Nature

The ROSCI0217 Retezat Natura 2000 site lies within Uricani’s administrative territory. Karst and limestone formations cover approximately 18 % of Uricani’s territory and extend for 41 km from the Jiul de Vest area to Cernișoara. The main caves in the upper reaches of the Jiul de Vest in the Uricani area are undeveloped; they feature considerable lengths and elevation differences as well as varying levels of difficulty and can only be visited with speleological equipment and a guide.

Trails and Routes

The themed trail to Cascada Sterminos leads from the access point on Strada Narciselor through the Sterminos Valley along a forest road running parallel to the Sterminos Stream. It starts at DN 66A, is marked with a yellow flower symbol and has an information panel measuring 1000 mm × 800 mm there. Cascada Firizoni can be reached by entering and crossing the Cheile Firizoni. Cascada Firizoni is a 12 m-high waterfall at the end of the Cheile Firizoni.

Access to Scocul Urzicarului is via DN 66A from Uricani towards Câmpușel, through Valea de Brazi and Câmpu lui Neag; Câmpul Mielului is the starting point of the trail. The themed trail to the site follows the dry valley of the Urzicarului Stream, crosses the dry gorges formed by the stream and then leads to Scocul Urzicarului.

Mountain Trail

The CG Trail connects Uricani with Vârful Peleaga. The difficult hike takes approximately 11–14 hours, involves more than 3000 metres of ascent and is intended for experienced, well-equipped hikers. It is dangerous in winter; whether it can be traversed depends on the amount and condition of the snow. The CG Trail begins west of Uricani near DN 66A, approximately 300 m downstream from a bordered spring in the direction of Petroșani, near the bridge over the Pârâul Sterminos.

More Destination Pages

Râu De Mori, Lupeni, Hățăgel, Geoagiu, Diemrich, Roșcani, Mălăești, Petrila

For the higher-level travel overview: Eisenmarkt.