The Mara – Tătarului Gorge – Tăul lui Dumitru trail runs from Mara Village to Tăul lui Dumitru. It is 24 km long, takes 8.5–9 hours and is marked with a red cross. Difficulty: medium. Elevation gain: +760 m.
- Start
- Mara Village
- Finish
- Tăul lui Dumitru
- Length
- 24 km
- Walking time
- 8.5–9 hours
- Elevation gain
- +760 m
- Difficulty
- medium
- Waymark
- red cross
- Route type
- one way (start and finish differ)
The route
Mara Village – Crivini Valley – Tătarului Gorge – Poiana Brazilor – Tăul lui Dumitru
Between Mara and the Tătarului Gorge it shares the path with the Șugatag Village – Iezerul Mare – Mara trail, so you will also see the red C waymark there.
What you see on the way
- Tătarului Gorges (Cheile Tătarului) — The only gorge cut in pyroxene andesite in Romania, in the Mara Valley. A Natura 2000 protected area, good for hiking and cycling.
- Poiana Brazilor Marsh — A 3 ha nature reserve in the Igniș Mountains, north-east of Tăul lui Dumitru, at up to 1,000 m, part of the Natura 2000 Igniș site.
- Tăul lui Dumitru — A 3 ha botanical reserve in the Igniș Mountains: an active raised peat bog at 1,130–1,200 m in beech and spruce forest, protected since 2000.
Where to stay nearby
Mara · All guesthouses in Mara
- Casa de la Mara - Rooms for Rent
- Casa de Piatră - Agritourism Guesthouse
- La Pintea Haiducu' Pension
- La Vasile la Cazan Pension
Good to know
- Outside the villages, do not get too close to sheepfolds. Keep your distance from the sheepdogs and call out to the shepherd.
- Ask your guesthouse host: they know the area and can tell you what to visit, depending on your time, fitness and preferences.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Mara – Tătarului Gorge – Tăul lui Dumitru trail and how long does it take?
It is 24 km long and takes 8.5–9 hours on foot.
How is the trail marked?
With a red cross.
What is the elevation gain?
About +760 m.
How difficult is it?
Medium difficulty.
Where can I stay near the start?
In Mara. The guesthouses in the Eco Maramureș network are listed on this page and on the Mara accommodation page.
Can I hike it with a local guide?
Yes. Local guides who lead mountain hikes: Cristina Pop, Edit Agneta Pop, Emil Ioan Pop, Horia Grosu, Ioan Godja, Ioana Brîndău, Robert Dobai, Teofil Ivanciuc, Florin Merciu (see all local guides).