Ocolașul Mare Peak

Ocolașul Mare Peak, at 1,907 m, is the highest summit of the Ceahlău Massif, in Ceahlău National Park, Neamț County. The upper plateau of the massif, made of the Ceahlău conglomerates, is about 6 km long and is bounded to the south by Ocolașul Mare and to the north by Toaca Peak (1,904 m); between them rise Bâtca lui Ghedeon (1,845 m) and Lespezi Peak. The Ocolașul Mic plateau lies about 200 m lower. The peak lies within the Ocolașul Mare Scientific Reserve, an IUCN category I protected area of 97.36 ha which, together with the Polița cu Crini Scientific Reserve, forms the park's strict protection zone. The park's management plan lists the Ocolașul Mare escarpments and the Brâna Ocolașului Mare ledge among the abiotic features of conservation interest, and the peak among the dominant summits with viewpoints. None of the park's eight tourist trails climbs to the summit. Under the park regulations, ecotourism in the scientific reserves is allowed only with the approval of the Ceahlău National Park Administration, in groups of up to nine visitors who must be accompanied by a park representative. For this reason visitors usually climb Toaca Peak instead, which is reached by a metal staircase.