Poiana Negrii: Hiking Trails and Mineral Springs

Poiana Negrii is a village within the commune of Dorna Candrenilor and is considered one of the most distinctive settlements in Țara Dornelor. When planning a stay, the named hiking destinations, a cycling route, the mineral springs, and the local history are all of interest. The routes described differ in their destinations and courses: one leads to Vârful 12 Apostoli, while another passes several points before reaching Vârful Călimanul Cerbului. A section of the Via Transilvanica also runs through the village.

Hiking Trails and Their Destinations

From Poiana Negrii, a blue-marked trail first leads to Schitul 12 Apostoli in the 12 Apostoli nature reserve. From there, a red-marked trail continues to the summit of Vârful 12 Apostoli. Schitul is a named waypoint on this route. Before setting out, check the trail-marking information against the national park’s latest guidance.

Another route description leads from Poiana Negrii via Schitul 12 Apostoli, Vârful 12 Apostoli, and the village of Gura Haitii to Vârful Călimanul Cerbului. It therefore lists several waypoints and a different destination summit from the route to Vârful 12 Apostoli, which is described in two stages. A section of the long-distance Via Transilvanica trail also runs through Poiana Negrii. For both routes, check the current trail signs on site.

Another hiking route leads from Poiana Negrii to Schitul Apa Rece via the access road. As conditions on this road may change seasonally, check them before setting out. This distinguishes the access route to this destination from the described summit routes without combining the individual trails into a single route.

Cycling Route and Another Place to Visit

The C11 cycling loop runs from Poiana Negrii through Coșna, Tătaru, and Poiana Stampei, then back to Poiana Negrii. Unlike the hiking routes described above, this route description includes a return to the starting point. Check road surface and weather conditions before setting out.

Another destination is the monastery at the foot of Vârful Lucaciu, which is 1,770 metres high. From Poiana Negrii, the monastery can be reached by motor vehicle via a forestry road. Alongside the named hiking and cycling routes, the area profile therefore also features a destination and an access route explicitly described as suitable for motor vehicles.

Mineral Springs and Local History

The mineral waters are also part of Poiana Negrii’s profile. An encyclopedic entry based on the Dicționar enciclopedic (1993–2009) characterizes the village as a spa resort with balneological factors and mineral springs. The mineral waters are described there as carbonated, iron-bearing, bicarbonate-bearing, calcium-bearing, and hypotonic. Alongside its hiking destinations, this gives the village description a distinct mineral-water dimension.

The wooden church Sfântul Dimitrie cel Nou is part of the area’s history. It stands on a hill in the village and was built in 1797. Its construction, location, and year of construction provide specific points of reference when exploring the area’s history. The church can be considered a historic local landmark alongside the hiking destinations and mineral-water tradition.

The name Poiana Negrii is also linked to local lore. According to the story, someone was buried in the middle of the meadow, and the area has borne this name ever since. The story offers another orally transmitted perspective on the place name and adds a local storytelling tradition to the area’s built and natural features.

Discover more destinations: Sadova, Cârlibaba, Podu Coșnei, Căsoi, Vama, Frasin, Crucea, Dărmăneşti

For the broader travel overview: Suceava.