Lolaia Waterfall

Lolaia Waterfall lies in the northern part of Retezat National Park, at about 1,050 m, in Sălașu de Sus commune, upstream of the village of Nucșoara. The waterfall is formed by the Pietrele stream, which gathers the waters of the four glacial valleys of the northern massif: Stânișoara, Pietrele, Valea Rea and Galeșul. A few hundred metres downstream it joins the Chiagul stream to form the Nucșoara river. The waterfall drops over a step of about 15 m, where the water splits into two streams. A local legend, recorded by the park administration, says the streams are the two braids of a shepherd girl from Nucșoara who threw herself into the valley. By road, it is reached from Ohaba de Sub Piatră on county road DJ 667A, through Sălașu de Sus and Nucșoara, to Cârnic, one of the park's entry points. From Cârnic, visitors continue on foot along the forest road marked with a blue stripe towards the Pietrele and Gențiana huts, reaching the waterfall in 15-20 minutes. It can be seen from the front, from a path with wooden steps, or from above, from a footbridge over the Pietrele stream. The waterfall is inside Retezat National Park, where visits are allowed only on marked trails and require the visitor fee set by the park administration.