Poiana Marului: Hiking, Water and Culture

Poiana Mărului appeals to travelers who want to combine hiking with a distinctive landscape of forests and water. The reservoir lies in an area characterized by coniferous and deciduous forests; trails lead toward Piatra Scorilei and the main ridge of the Țarcu Mountains. There are also waterfalls along the Șucu, as well as religious and cultural points of interest. When choosing a hotel in Poiana Marului, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: a particular route, the waterside landscape or a cultural event.

Forest, Reservoir and Waterfalls

The Poiana Mărului reservoir lies in a landscape characterized by coniferous and deciduous forests. Cascada Șucu is located in Poiana Mărului at an altitude of 700 meters, between the Țarcu Mountains and Muntele Mic. It is on the river of the same name, just before it flows into the lake. There are several waterfalls along the Șucu River, including Cascada Șucu. This brings two distinct water features into focus: the forested reservoir and the specific waterfall on the river shortly before it reaches the lake.

Hiking Trails and Navigation

The Poiana Mărului–Piatra Scorilei–Muntele Mic Tourist Complex hiking trail starts at Poiana Mărului train station. It initially follows the valley for about one kilometer before climbing the right-hand slope of Scorilei. At the upper edge of the forest, it reaches Poiana Boboraței; there, the horizon opens to the north, east and southeast, with views of the Țarcu Mountains. From Poiana Boboraței to the mountain hut complex on Muntele Mic, the trail still takes almost two hours on foot. This estimate applies to that specific section, not automatically to the entire route; trail conditions and your personal pace affect the actual duration. As trail conditions can change, check the route’s condition before your hike.

Another hiking route is named Poiana Mărului–Buza Nedeii–Poiana Nedeii Peak–Bistricioara Peak–Mătania Peak (Nedeia). It connects Poiana Mărului with the main ridge of the Țarcu Mountains. The route descriptions emphasize different aspects: for the route via Piatra Scorilei, they specify the starting point, valley section, climb and hiking time to the hut complex; the route via Buza Nedeii highlights the sequence of peaks and the connection to the main ridge. This helps you consider the routes using their respective landmarks, without applying the hiking time for one route to the other.

Getting There and Cultural Points of Interest

Access to the Poiana Mărului resort is via the DN68 Caransebeș–Hațeg, with a turnoff near the commune of Zăvoi. For your specific journey, check the road route and conditions separately.

The “Nașterea Sfântului Ioan Botezătorul” Monastery in Poiana Mărului is a nuns’ monastery in the resort. The foundation stone for the monastery chapel was laid on June 24, 2013. Another cultural point of interest is Pietrele lui Scorilo on the northern slope of the Muntele Mic massif, at an altitude of 1,200 meters. They are considered a Dacian pagan altar; this classification is a local cultural interpretation.

The Poiana Mărului skete is also associated with a recurring religious tradition: since 2008, a pilgrimage with the wonder-working icon of the Mother of God has been held annually on the eve of its patronal feast. If you want to plan your trip around this event, check the date and program in advance. Hiking trails, the waterside landscape and religious traditions offer different emphases for planning your trip; which one you focus on depends on your planned stay.

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