Bucegi Natural Park, Prahova side

Bucegi Natural Park is a protected area of national interest in IUCN category V (protected landscape), covering 32,663 ha according to Law 5/2000 (the administration gives 32,500 ha). It extends over Brașov, Dâmbovița and Prahova counties; in Prahova it includes parts of the towns of Azuga, Bușteni, Comarnic and Sinaia. Altitudes range from about 800 m up to 2,505 m at Vârful Omu. The first nature reserves in the Bucegi were declared by Council of Ministers Decision 965/1943. The park was created by Order no. 7 of 27 January 1990, declared a protected area by Law 5/2000, and its boundaries and administration were set by Government Decision 230/2003. It is managed by the Bucegi Natural Park Administration, a unit of the National Forest Administration Romsilva, based in Moroeni (Dâmbovița). The park largely overlaps the Natura 2000 site ROSCI0013 Bucegi. The Prahova side is dominated by the Prahova escarpment (Abruptul Prahovean), the eastern face of the massif, rising 1,000-1,500 m above the Prahova valley, with the peaks Coștila (2,498 m), Caraiman (2,384 m), Jepii Mici, Jepii Mari, Piatra Arsă, Furnica, Vârful cu Dor (2,030 m) and Vânturiș along its rim. Three of the park's 14 nature reserves are in Prahova: Abruptul Prahovean Bucegi (3,478 ha), Munții Colții lui Barbeș (1,513 ha) and the Plaiul Hoților fossil site (6 ha). The park's fauna includes brown bear, wolf and lynx, and the chamois population of the rocky areas is estimated at 150-200 animals. On the Prahova side, access is from Sinaia (cable car and gondola to Cota 1400 and Cota 2000) and from Bușteni (Bușteni-Babele cable car), as well as on marked trails. The „Alexandru Beldie” Visitor Centre is at Strada Telecabinei 54 in Bușteni and opens on Saturdays and Sundays from May to October. Visiting the park requires a visitor ticket (10 lei per adult, valid for 3 months), sold online or by the rangers.