Sohodol gorges
Natural attractions
About
The Sohodol gorges are located on the northern border of Gorj county with Hunedoara county, in the Vâlcan Mountains (a group belonging to the Retezat-Godeanu mountain range in the Southern Carpathians), in the northern part of Runcu village and are crossed by the Jaleș (Sohodol) river.
The natural reserve, spread over an area of 350 hectares, was declared a protected area and represents an area of gorges excavated in Cretaceous limestone by the waters of the Jaleș River (Sohodol), with diversified forms of relief (sinkholes, canyons, boulders, aves, caves, rocky cliffs ), with flora and fauna specific to the South.
The protected natural area annually attracts thousands of tourists from the country and abroad. Nostrils, Fusteica, Ring, Popii Cave, Gârla Vacii Cave are some impressive landmarks of this area, of which the most visited is Popii Cave due to the paintings with black anthropomorphic silhouettes. On the Sohodol gorges, climbing is practiced on the 120 specially arranged routes .
During the summer the temperature is lower by 10 degrees Celsius, thanks to the shadow of the rocks and the water of the Sohodol river. There are more than 300 species of plants specific to these places, including centuries-old chestnut trees planted before 1859.
The filming of the famous Romanian film "Mărgelatul", played by Florin Piersic, took place in this area.
Those who want to live a unique experience in the heart of nature have several accommodation options in the Cheile Sohodolului area. They can go to the numerous guesthouses in the Runcu commune or request in advance to pitch their tents.
