Almăjului Mountains

The Almăj Mountains are bounded to the south by the Danube Gorge at Orșova-Sichevița, to the west by the Liubcova-Sopotu Nou corridor, to the north by the Almăj Depression and the Mehadia Depression, and to the east by the Orșova Depression.

They are formed of crystalline shales over which sedimentary rocks, such as Mesozoic limestones and sandstones of Paleozoic and Neozoic ages, have been deposited. At Ogradena, volcanic rocks in the form of granite are also found.

The peaks of the Almăj Mountains, in order of height, are Sfinecea Mare (1224m), Cârșa Mare (1152m), Capul Grobanului (1104m), Cherbelezul (1102m) and Vrapișioanea (934m).

The area is well forested and less visited by tourists, being less known (especially compared to the Clisură area).

The karst landscape characteristic of the region offers a variety of landforms such as gorges and cliffs (Berzasca Valley, Sirinea, Rudărica Mică, Vârful Svinecea), sinkholes (near Lalca), rifts (Svinecea Mare, Bigăr).

Underground there are numerous caves and grottoes: the Lalca Water Cave, La Pișătoare Cave, Zamonița Cave, Rudărica Avenue.

The hydrological basin of the Almăj Mountains includes the Nera River with its tributaries Ieșelnița, Mraconia, Valea Morii, Tisovița, Sirinia, Berzasca, Oravița and Cerna with its tributaries Bârzu, Șopot, Rudăria and Putna, which flow into the Danube.

The Almăj Mountains are characterised by a mild Mediterranean climate.