Defileul Mureşului Superior Natural Park, Protected natural park in Mureș County, Romania.
Defileul Mureşului Superior Natural Park is a protected area of about 9,156 hectares situated between two mountain ranges with steep gorges carved by the Mureș River. The landscape shows dramatic rock formations shaped by volcanic activity and water erosion, creating a varied terrain of cliffs, slopes, and river valleys.
The park received official protected status in 2007 when the Romanian government recognized its ecological and geological significance. This designation acknowledged the area's importance as a natural landscape requiring formal conservation.
Local communities live in traditional villages nestled along the gorge, maintaining customs adapted to the steep terrain and river proximity. The settlements reflect how people have organized their lives around the river's presence and the surrounding mountains.
The park is accessible via marked walking paths that connect observation points and lead through the gorges. The best time to visit is between November and April when conditions are ideal for hiking and exploring the terrain.
The area contains over 100 volcanic caves that formed during the active phase of the Călimani-Gurghiu volcanic system. These underground formations offer insight into the region's geological past and create a distinctive feature rarely found in other protected areas.
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