Retezat National Park, Protected mountain area in Hunedoara County, Romania.
Retezat National Park is a protected area in the Southern Carpathians of Hunedoara County, Romania, connecting alpine peaks with more than 80 glacial lakes. Deep valleys lead through dense conifer forests to open ridges where grass and rock formations shape the landscape.
The Romanian government established the area as the country's first national park in 1935 to protect mountain ecosystems and wildlife populations. Later expansions brought the total area to roughly 38,000 hectares, securing habitats for rare species.
The name comes from the Slavic word for cut off, referring to the sharp ridges that separate valleys throughout the reserve. Shepherds once used high meadows for summer grazing, and some stone shelters from those periods still stand along certain trails.
Northern entrances near Carnic and Rausor villages offer more direct access to central lakes, while southern routes via Buta and Campusel lead to higher ridges. Most marked trails require good fitness and sturdy hiking boots, as slopes can be steep.
More than 1,100 butterfly species live in the park, including alpine varieties adapted to cool high altitudes. Observers find the greatest variety on sunny meadows above the tree line during summer months.
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