The Semenic-Caraș Gorge National Park (Romanian: Parcul Național Semenic-Cheile Carașului) is a protected area classified as a Category II protected area by the IUCN. It is located in southwest Romania, within Caraș-Severin County.

Location

The Natural Park is found in the Anina Mountains and the Semenic Mountains, which are part of the Banat Mountains. It is located in the southwestern part of Romania, in the center of Caraș-Severin County.

Description

The Semenic-Caraș Gorge National Park was made a protected area by Law No. 5 on 6 March 2000 (published in Monitorul Oficial No. 152 on 12 April 2000). It has a typical karst and forest landscape and is known for its 300-year-old untouched beech forest, the only one in Europe.

The Park includes several nature reserves, such as the Caraș Gorge (Cheile Carașului), the Caraș Springs (Izvoarele Carașului), and caves with dripstone and other formations.

The Caraș Gorge is one of Romania’s longest, wildest, and most beautiful areas, with rich plant and animal life, including the Semenic flower (Anntenaria dioica). It has many caves, some reachable only underwater, with steep limestone walls and "kettles" on the upper Caraș. On the right bank of the Caraș, above the Caraș Gorge, are the ruins of Grat Castle from the 13th century. A beautiful cave in this area, known for its varied stalactites and stalagmites, is the dripstone cave of Comarnic.

Twenty archaeological sites have been found in the Park.

Access

• European Route E70 – București – Craiova – Drobeta-Turnu Severin – Orșova – Topleț – National Road DN6 – Mehadia