Cheile Bicazului

Cheile Bicazului is one of the most spectacular canyon formations in Romania, located in Neamț County, on the border with Harghita County, along the course of the Bicaz River. The gorge extends over a length of approximately 8 km, with limestone walls reaching heights of up to 300 m, sculpted over millions of years by the erosion of water through Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks. The narrowest point of the gorge, known as "Gâtul Iadului" (the Throat of Hell), is only a few metres wide, making it one of the most distinctive points along the route. Cheile Bicazului is part of the Cheile Bicazului-Hășmaș National Park, officially established in 1990, with a total area of approximately 6,575 hectares. The flora of the area includes rare calciphilous plant species, while the fauna includes large birds of prey such as the golden eagle, as well as bears, wolves and lynxes. The sheer walls are an important destination for rock climbing, with numerous certified routes. Access is via DN12C, the national road that traverses the gorge, starting from Bicaz or from the direction of Gheorgheni. The town of Bicaz is located approximately 40 km west of the municipality of Piatra-Neamț. Cheile Bicazului is well worth visiting for the rarity of its geological formation, for its direct accessibility from the road, and for the opportunity to observe limestone ecosystems characteristic of the Eastern Carpathians.