If you follow the road from Cavnic to Sighetu Marmației on the map, you will see a small, elongated green patch on the left, attached to the edge of Ocna Șugatag. It is small only on the map — in reality, you could lose yourself in the 44 hectares of old-growth forest.
There, on the outskirts of Ocna Șugatag, lies the Crăiască Forest — an age-old forest where, at nearly 500 metres altitude, monumental oaks dating from the Romanian War of Independence still stand: trees of 28-30 metres tall with trunks 60-80 cm in diameter.
What makes this forest truly remarkable is its unusual species mix: sessile oak, larch and pedunculate oak, plus cherries, lindens, hornbeams and maples. It is also a seed reserve containing endemic Carpathian species — wood cow-wheat and spiked rampion, a protected plant with blue flowers.
For birdwatchers, the forest is a magnet: an unusual density of rare species including the common kestrel, middle spotted woodpecker, woodlark and many others. Two trails access the forest, one of which is marked for cyclists.
The themed trail through the Crăiasca Forest was completely rebuilt in 2025, to make visits clearer, safer and more accessible. Information panels and interactive panels have been installed along the way, explaining in plain terms the natural values of the forest and the role it plays in the life of the community.
The trail is designed for adults, children and people with special needs: an easy, friendly route suited to family visits, educational activities or quiet walks in nature. It brings visitors into direct contact with the local biodiversity and turns a visit into an experience of learning and discovery, without disturbing the natural balance of the protected area.
The Crăiasca Forest has thus become a space open to everyone, where nature can be understood, respected and enjoyed at a slow pace.
Access trails
Map & resources
Photo gallery
