Durău Resort

Durău is a mountain resort in Ceahlău commune, Neamț County, at about 780-800 m, at the foot of the north-western slope of the Ceahlău Massif, on the edge of Ceahlău National Park. It lies about 9 km from Lake Izvorul Muntelui and has a tonic, stimulating bioclimate. The resort is reached by county road DJ 155F, known as the "axial" road, which joins DN 15 at Bicaz, via Izvorul Muntelui, and at Bistricioara, via Ceahlău village. The resort is home to Durău Monastery, a nineteenth- and twentieth-century complex listed as a historic monument. The monastery church, dedicated to the Annunciation, dates from 1835, and its interior was painted by Nicolae Tonitza. Durău is Gate 1 of Ceahlău National Park, and the Ceahlău National Park Administration has its seat in the resort. Three marked trails lead from here to Cabana Dochia: the red-stripe trail via Cabana Fântânele, passing below Stânca Panaghiei and Toaca Peak (7.3 km, 3 to 3.5 hours uphill), the red-cross trail via Poiana Viezuri and Duruitoarea Waterfall (7.5 km, 4.5 to 5 hours), and the blue-cross trail along the Rupturi valley, also passing Duruitoarea. A groomed ski slope lies next to the axial road. Accommodation is available in hotels and guesthouses.