Romania's mountains are crisscrossed by hundreds of miles of marked trails, which take the traveler through dense forests of pine and beech, along clear rivers, to waterfalls and lakes, and over dizzying crests to peaks that go up to 8,346 ft (2,544 m). Summer months bring in thunderstorms and more visitors, but for the most part you can find plenty of solitude in Romania's Carpathians. These wild mountains are home to the largest brown bear, wolf and lynx populations in the European Union and to a still impressive natural forest cover. Although the past few decades have brought in a lot of destruction through illegal logging encouraged by major timber companies, there is still time to create here Europe's largest forest national park. A local organization, Foundation Conservation Carpathia (FCC), is working toward this goal. Having more visitors spending time responsibly in Romania’s Carpathians can help raise awareness of the immense potential for adventure travel, wildlife photography and community-based tourism that the country has if these precious natural resources are safeguarded.
