SEMENIC NATIONAL PARK - CHEILE CARAȘULUI

The highest point of the Banat mountain range, with the Piatra Goznei peak at 1,447 m, the Semenic Mountains are perfect for hikes accessible to all. The Semenic-Gorges National Park of Caraș covers an area of 36,624 ha. It is characterized by vast beech and fir woods distributed between modest river valleys and peaks of over 1,200 m in altitude, peaks, sinkholes, gorges, plateaus, but also orchards and pastures. The altitude is therefore quite low and the Mediterranean influences are evident. There are 1,086 species of Mediterranean and Balkan plants, which live side by side. Invertebrates include 56 endemic species and 45 rare species. Among the vertebrate species present are the horned viper, the most venomous species in Europe, and on the raptor side, the circaet and the screech eagle. Ten species of mammals were counted, including wolf, Carpathian deer and lynx. The park also has many caves where multiple endemic species grow. Interesting sites include the beautiful beech forest of the Izvoarele Nerei Reserve and the Comarnic Cave. It is located north of the Anina Mountains, on the left side of the Comarnic Valley, at an altitude of 440m. It is the longest cave in the region (4,040 m). Its galleries are large and rich in stalagmites, whose spectacle does not fail to delight visitors.