Poiana Marului: Hiking Trails, Waterfalls and Spiritual Sites

Poiana Marulu presents a landscape shaped by coniferous and deciduous forests around the Poiana Mărului reservoir. At an altitude of 700 metres, between the Țarcu Mountains and Muntele Mic, lies Cascada Șucu, a waterfall on the river of the same name, immediately before it flows into Lake Poiana Mărului.

Nature and Water

There are several waterfalls on the Șucu River, including Cascada Șucu. The combination of the lake, forest landscape and watercourse gives the surroundings clearly distinguishable natural features: the reservoir lies among coniferous and deciduous forests, while the Șucu River, with its waterfalls, leads right up to the lake. The elevation of Cascada Șucu also places the waterfall within the landscape between the Țarcu Mountains and Muntele Mic.

Hiking Trails

The Poiana Mărului–Piatra Scorilei–Muntele Mic Tourist Complex hiking trail begins at Poiana Mărului railway station. It initially follows the valley for about 1 kilometre before climbing the right slope of Scorilei. Along this route, almost two hours of walking remain from Poiana Boboraței to the mountain hut complex on Muntele Mic.

Another hiking trail leads from Poiana Mărului via Buza Nedeii, the Poiana Nedeii peak, the Bistricioara peak and the Mătania peak, also known as Nedeia, to the main ridge of the Țarcu Mountains. The trail also reaches Poiana Boboraței at the upper forest line. From there, the horizon opens to the north, east and southeast, with views of the Țarcu Mountains. The two routes therefore differ in their structure: the first names a railway station as its starting point and includes an early section through the valley, while the second follows a series of named peaks to the main ridge. For your own planning, these details should be read separately and compared with one another. Different routes and walking-time estimates can therefore be considered separately when planning your day.

Culture and Spirituality

The Poiana Mărului holiday resort is home to the „Nativity of Saint John the Baptist“ Monastery, a convent. The foundation stone for its chapel was laid on 24 June 2013. The monastery is situated in a special natural setting with clean air and gives pilgrims a feeling of peace and spiritual elevation.

Since 2008, a pilgrimage with the miraculous icon of the Mother of God has been organised annually on the eve of the patronal feast of the Poiana Mărului skete. Another historic site is Pietrele lui Scorilo, regarded as a Dacian pagan altar at an altitude of 1,200 metres on the northern slope of the Muntele Mic massif.

A new cross, built as a steel structure in 2004, stands on Muntele Mic. The cross on Muntele Mic is also a monument erected in 1936 in memory of the heroes of Banat who fought for reunification. At night, it is illuminated by its own power-generation system.

Getting There

Access to the Poiana Mărului holiday resort is via the DN68 Caransebeș–Hațeg road, with a turn-off near the commune of Zăvoi.

For the higher-level travel overview: CaraÅŸ-Severin.