Bicaz Gorges–Hășmaș National Park is one of Romania's most stunning natural spectacles — a place where sheer limestone walls plunge hundreds of metres, the Bicaz River carves its way through ancient rock, and the legendary Red Lake shimmers in a forested hollow. Covering 6,575 hectares in the Eastern Carpathians, it protects an extraordinary mix of geological, paleontological and biological heritage that rewards every type of visitor.

The landscape shifts dramatically as you move through the park. Elevation ranges from 575 m at Bicaz-Chei up to 1,792 m at the summit of Hășmașul Mare, and that variety shows in everything from towering vertical cliffs draped with clinging pines to rounded subalpine meadows carpeted with Carpathian endemics. Summer is lush and green, with waterfalls tumbling down side gorges like Șugău, Cupașu and Bicăjelul. Autumn brings rich warm colours to the beech and spruce forests. Spring meltwater makes the rivers roar — a raw, powerful experience.

• Gheorgheni or Bicaz — national road DN12C runs directly through Bicaz Gorges and is the main access route to the park; easy access by car
• Bălan — via road DN12, giving access to the Hășmașul Mare massif and the higher parts of the park

• The park contains several strictly protected nature reserves: Bicaz Gorges, Red Lake, Șugău Gorges, Hășmașul Mare massif, and Avenul Licaș sinkhole
• It is also designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA)
• Picking protected plants (edelweiss, lady's slipper orchid) or removing cave formations is illegal and carries heavy fines
• The park visitor centre and museum with paleontological exhibits is located in Izvoru Mureșului

The limestone walls of the gorges are packed with Jurassic and Cretaceous fossils — ammonites, belemnites, corals and brachiopods — making this as much a paradise for geology lovers as for hikers. The first photograph of Red Lake was taken here as far back as 1864, making it one of Romania's earliest documented tourist destinations.