The steps to the Lolaia waterfall from Retezat (video) were restored, and the last part of the route became more accessible to tourists again. The waterfall is among the most spectacular places in the Retezat National Park.
Lolaia waterfall from Retezat. Photo: Daniel Guță. TRUTH
The Lolaia waterfall in Retezat has become accessible again, after a period in which many tourists complained about the risks they encountered when going down to the viewpoint in front of the waterfall.
Many of the steps were broken or missing, and travelers risked slipping or tripping over them. Some have complained that they are putting their safety in jeopardy in the middle of an enchanting landscape.
The stairs at the Lolaia waterfall have been redone. Photo: Retezat National Park.
The rangers from the Retezat National Park worked on the maintenance of the stairs to the Lolaia Waterfall in Retezat, informed the administration of the Retezat National Park.
The legend of the Lolaia waterfall
“The legend says that a long time ago, at the end of summer, a beautiful shepherdess named Lolaia was coming down with the sheep from Retezat to her village Nucșoara. Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, a huge and terrifying apparition swooped down on the flock and, with great greed, ate all the sheep. On the spot, out of fear, the girl's golden locks turned white, and she threw herself into the valley beside the road. In the place where he threw himself, a deep hole was made in the rock, and the water of the stream formed a waterfall. And now, at the Lolaia waterfall, you can see the girl's two braids, flowing like two silver streams”informed the administration of Retezat National Park.
The Lolaia waterfall in Retezat is one of the great attractions of the route that goes up into the Retezat National Park on the valley of the Pietrele stream. The clear waters that trickle between rocks and huge boulders, remnants of former glaciers, have made the stream famous, which until it flows into the Strei river bears several names (Stânișoara, Pietrele, Nucșoara, Sibișel).
Lolaia Castle from Retezat. Aerial images. Photo: Daniel Guță
The Pietrele Valley in Retezat, which forms the Lolaia waterfall, collects the springs of four large former glaciers: Stânișoara, Pietrele, Valea Rea and Galeșul.
The descent to the waterfall. Photo: Daniel Guță. TRUTH
“Their water, collected in the red bed of stone, cuts a gorge finished at about 1,000 meters altitude, with a threshold of 15 meters above which the water breaks into two strips with a thunderous noise”informs the geographer Nae Popescu, in the volume “Retezat Mountains” (1973).
The most popular route in Retezat
The Lolaia waterfall in Retezat is accessible to tourists, who choose to explore Retezat, on the most popular route in Retezat (video).
The road goes up from the village of Ohaba below Piatră in Hunedoara, located about 10 kilometers from Hațeg, on the Pietrele valley, towards the Pietrele and Gențiana cabins, from where the paths to the ridges and glacial lakes of Retezat start.
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Lolaia Waterfall and Nucsoarei Valley Stones from Retezat Photo Daniel Guță THE TRUTH (60) JPG
A century ago, the first tourist cabin in Retezat was established at Pietrele (elevation 1,480 meters), and from here travelers ventured into the wilderness on the paths that led to the glacial lakes and ridges that rise to 2,500 meters above sea level.
The road was difficult in the past, but over time, the roads in the area have been modernized, and the asphalt reaches near the Cârnic stop, from the entrance to the Retezat National Park.
Here, travelers have to leave their cars in the parking lot and can continue their journey on foot on a forest road. It takes 15 to 20 minutes to walk to the Lolaia waterfall in Retezat, and from here another hour to an hour and a half to the Pietrele complex and about two hours to the Gențiana cottage.
