Abruptul Prahovean Bucegi Nature Reserve

The Abruptul Prahovean Bucegi Nature Reserve is a protected area of national interest declared by Law 5/2000, with code 2.672 and an area of 3,478 ha, in Prahova County, inside Bucegi Natural Park. It is the largest of the park's 14 nature reserves and falls in IUCN category IV. The Prahova escarpment (Abruptul Prahovean) is the eastern face of the Bucegi Mountains, a tectonic and erosional cliff rising 1,000-1,500 m above the Prahova valley and cut by many valleys and torrents with springs and waterfalls. Along its rim stand the peaks Coștila (2,498 m), Caraiman (2,384 m), Jepii Mici (2,143 m), Jepii Mari (2,072 m), Piatra Arsă (2,001 m), Furnica (2,103 m), Vârful cu Dor (2,030 m) and Vânturiș (1,851 m). Under the management plan, the park's reserves fall within the strict or integral protection zone. The „Abruptul Prahovean” management unit covers the south-eastern slope of Muntele Morarului, Colții Morarului, Valea Cerbului, the Coștila face, Valea Jepilor up to the tree line, the Jepii Mici face, the dwarf pine of Piatra Arsă, Șaua Peleșului and the face of Muntele Furnica down to Valea Pelișorului. The escarpment also holds features protected as natural monuments, including Portița Caraimanului and Peretele Văii Albe. Marked trails climb the escarpment from Bușteni and Sinaia, for example up Valea Jepilor Mici to Cabana Caraiman. Visiting Bucegi Natural Park requires a ticket issued by the park administration.