Munții Șureanu

Munții Șureanu, also known as Munții Sebeșului, are part of the Șureanu-Parâng-Lotrului group of the Southern Carpathians and cover approximately 1,585 km² across the counties of Alba and Hunedoara. They are bordered by the Valea Mureșului to the north, Munții Cindrel to the east, the Strei corridor to the west, and the Hațeg and Petroșani depressions to the south. The highest point is Vârful lui Pătru, at an altitude of 2,130 m, from which the panorama takes in a large part of the Southern Carpathians. Unlike other mountains in the Southern Carpathians, Șureanul has no sharp ridges or glacial arêtes, but rounded forms, broad erosion surfaces and quiet spruce and beech forests. The climate is harsh at higher altitudes: above 2,000 m the average temperature is about -7°C in winter and 8°C in summer, and temperature inversions are frequent in the Oașa and Petroșani depressions. The ridges of these mountains also preserve traces of Dacian civilisation, the area being closely linked to the Dacian fortresses in Munții Orăștiei located in the immediate vicinity. Did you know that the Cugir River springs from just below Vârful lui Pătru, the highest point of the Șureanu Mountains?