Poiana Rusca

The agro-touristic area of the Poiana Rusca mountain piedmont is located on the east side of Timis county, at the border with Hunedoara and Caras Severin Counties. The localities belonging to this area are:

Margina, Curtea, Pietroasa, Tomeşti, Nădrag, Fîrdea, Dumbrava, Mănăştur, Traian Vuia, Bîrna, Criciova, Victor Vlad Delamarina, Găvojdia and a city - Făget.

Poiana Ruscă mountains are an extended mountain group belonging to the Western Carpathians. They extend on a surface of about 2,640 square kilometers, having average altitudes of about 700 - 1000 m. Poiana Rusca mountain can be considered as a connection bridge between the Southern Carpathians and Apuseni Mountains, because towards north they expand up to the Muresului meadow, which between Deva and Ilia separate the Poiana Rusca Mountains from the Ore Mountains, while towards east and west, between the Southern Carpathians and the Apuseni Mountains, the lower areas of Lugoj, Strei and Transylvania depression are interposed.

Geology In geological terms, Poiana Rusca mountains are made of crystalline schist.

Relief Poiana Ruscă mountain is characterized by a relief in steps and fragmented on long crests, of which maximum heights oscillate around 1300 m. Poiana Rusca mountains are dominated by a high central apex that joints the two main crests of the mountain - Pades peak (1,374 m) and Rusca peak (1,356 m). From these peaks, long crest go radially, called by the locals "feet", which descend up to the peripheral depressions.

The most representative elements of attractiveness pertaining to the natural framework which is constituted in the main benchmarks of the touristic offer of Poiana Rusca Mountains can be grouped as follows:

• Relief forms modeled on metamorphic rocks (crystalline schist, phyllite, paragnaise) made of: crests, pyramid shapes, interfluves with hard look.
• The erosion traces (Druja, Pagul, Benes, Cioaca Mutului etc.) are places where horizon tours can be made over the surrounding areas.
• The relief forms modeled on chalky rocks (chalk, crystalline dolomite) vary within the perimeter Luncani-Tomesti-Poieni where ditches, holes, poles, blind valleys, soholds, sectors of quay (Cheile Minisului on Minis River) and small cloughs, caves with little microforms; as typical valleys with such relief formed on chalk and dolomite we can mention: the Bega Luncanilor valley, the Bega Poienilor valley, Gladnei Valley.

Among the particular relief forms, conditioned by the chalky rocks, we can remind

• The pyramid-shaped rock from Romesti, located on the left bank of Bega Valley, immediately upstream from the former glass factory. The cliff represents a ruin of a vertical layer of white - grey urban chalk, remained in the relief due to a system of fissures that modeled it.
• The Gladna clough from Surduc, where the valley broken the crystalline beak represented by Magura Surducului (496 m). A dam was developed in the clough, resulting the Surduc barrier lake.
• The known caves from Poiana Rusca are classified in small and medium caves without a particular spelunking importance. Generally, these are fossil caves rich in stalagmite, stalactite or other natural ornaments.

Peaks The main peaks from Timis are:

• Pades peak, 1,382 m
• Rusca peak, 1,355 m
• Stalpului peak, 977 m
• Glodea peak, 950 m
• Albota peak, 947 m
• Daia peak, 917 m
• Brăinul Mare peak, 874 m
• Strambului peak, 763 m

Fauna and flora – rare, protected or endangered species

The agro-touristic area of the Poiana Rusca piedmont has a few species from the Romanian fauna, which are very rare or endangered. Among these species, it is worth reminding: the crow (Corvus corax) in the Radmanesti area; the sand martin (Riparia riparia) in the Hitias area; the lynx (Lynx lynx) in the Faget area and not the last the Carpathian bear (Ursus arctus) in the Faget area. From the flora, the most interesting specie is the lent lily (Narcissus Poeticus) met in the Batesti area, from Faget commune.

In the composition of the spontaneous natural vegetation from Poiana Rusca mountains, therefore including in the Pades area, we meet elements belonging to the most various flora fields, as for example: elements specific to the central Europe (beech forests), eastern Europe (steppe with grasses), Mediterranean Europe (chestnut, wild lilac), elements in the sub-Carpathian lands (conifers - spruce in particular) as well as elements of the coasts of the Balkan Peninsula, several species of oak trees, Garni.

Other species keep from the times of the quaternary glaciations (blueberry tree, jepii), particularly in the Pades area but also in Cornet. Very particularly, immediately adjacent to the Pades peak, in the Nadrag - Ruschita area, large surfaces with black and red blueberries are spread.

Aquatic fauna - on the water courses - Pades and Cornet creeks particularly - the indigenous and arch trout are present, as well on the Nadragel creek. Years ago, these trout species were descending in the area from close to Crivina and even until Jdioara. In the past 20 years, its presence stops on the territory of Nadrag commune, until close to the factory, where probable due to the galvanization technologies, some accidental discharge of sulphuric acid in the creek, the trout can no longer go downstream, this specie enjoying particularly rapid and clean waters. Downstream from the factory, other species of fish appear: moose, barbell, pike and perch, particularly in the Crivina and Jdioara area.

The sub-alpine climate, the deciduous and coniferous forests, particularly favorable factors for rest, have a wide expansion in Poiana Rusca mountains.

According to the Order 1019/2005, the following communes are in the mountain area:

• communes fully in the mountain area:Nădrag
• communes partly in the mountain area:
• Fardea - with 3 component villages: Gladna Montană, Hăuzești, Zolt
• Margina - with 4 component villages: Bulza, Groși, Nemeșești, Sintești
• Pietroasa - with 2 component villages: Fărășești, Poieni
• Tomesti - with 4 component villages: Baloșești, Colonia Fabricii, Luncanii de Jos, Luncanii de Sus

The touristic potential

The agro-touristic area of Poiana Rusca piedmont is characterized by a very strong and varied touristic potential.

            In Poiana Rusca Mountains, marked paths can be found on the following routes:

• from the localities Nădrag, Fârdea, Gladna Română, Zolt and Luncani to the Căpriorul hut; from the Capriorul hut, from Luncani and from Nadrag (through the Carliontu valley) to the Pades peak; Gladna Română – Zolt – Luncanii de Jos;
• Zolt – Pomărie – Tomeşti; from Nadrag to Cascadele, from Valea Cornet to the Tourist Monument, to the Observation tower from Valea Izvodiei, to the commemorative plate of Queen Elisabeth; Jdioara - Cetatea Jdioara; Romanesti village - Romanesti cave.
• Nădrag commune - Nădrag Valley - Gosta Village - Izvoarele Mari - Padeș peak (1382) - Padașel peak - Poiana Tăul Ursului - Rusca peak (1355) - Commune Lunca Cernei De Sus
• Village Luncani - Vârful Padeș (1382) - Poiana Bradului - Otelul Roșu
• Village Surduc - Village Fârdea - Brăinu Mic peak - Daii peak - Commune Căpriorul - Padeș peak (1382) - Valley Loznei - Village Rusca Montana
• C.F.R. Sacu - Commune Sacu - Village Tancova - Commune Nădrag - Valley Nădrag - Cabana Căprioara
• Commune Nădrag - Valley Cornetului - Valley Sarica - Izvorul Partizanului - Poiana Bradului - Otelul Roșu
• Padeș peak (1382) - Șapte Izvoare - Monumentul Turismului - Village Rușchița - Fieraru peak - Commune Lunca Cernei De Sus
• Village Tomești - Vârful Glodea - Village Poieni - Village Bătrâna - Rusca peak (1355)
• Village Luncani - Topla Creek - Cabana Căprioara
• Village Romanești - Peștera Romanești - Valea Lui Liman - Touristic Complex Valea Lui Liman
• Touristic Complex Valea Lui Liman - Valley Sașa - Rusca peak (1355) - Village Rușchița.

Pades peak (also known as Padesu peak), with an altitude of 1,382 m, is the highest peak from Poiana Ruscă mountains. In administrative terms, it is located on the territory of Timis county, within the limits of Nădrag commune.

Four categories of tourism practicable in this area can be distinguished:

• camp tourism for the young
• alternative recreational tourism on Surduc lake

The lake is surrounded in a large part by deciduous and meadow, a number of vacation houses being built on the banks. In the area, fauna is particularly rich, which makes for the hunting attraction to be particularly high. Frequently met animals are the rabbit, squirrel, polecat, ferret, pheasant, grouse, wolf, fox, wild boar, squirrel, deer, deer, wild cat or even bear.

Aside the lake or in the adjacent villages, the owners of vacation houses or the villages provide accommodation and meal to the tourists.

• classic tourism organized in hotels, motels, cabins and camping.

The accommodation network of the area is diverse, including hotels, such as hotel Padesul in Faget. Also, in Tomesti, close to which is the Romanesti cave, where symphonic concerts are also organized, operates the touristic complex "Valea lui Liman" and close to Nadrag, the "Capriorul" hut (cabin) (currently decommissioned).

• agro-tourism in starting stage of organization

We should specify that the accommodation offers in the area of interest are multiple and varied, but they are not fully classified. The area has a high agro-touristic potential.

• Specialized tourism.

Within the Poiana Rusca mountains, one can practice cycling and various aquatic sports in the perimeters of Fardea and Cincis lakes.

Reservations and protected areas

The agro touristic area of Poiana Rusca piedmont has two natural reservations, i.e. the fossil place of Radamanesti of 4 ha, located within the range of Faget Forestry and the lent lily place with a surface of 20 ha from Batesti village, belonging to Faget town. Also, in the area is located a protected site in surface of 362 ha on the territory of Firdea commune - Surduc Lake.

The Rădmăneşti fossil place is a protected site of national interest falling in the 4th IUCN category on the administrative territory of Bara commune, located in the north extremity of Timis county, at the territorial limit with Arad county, in the upper basin of Minis river, at 11 km distance from Lugoj city. IUCN.

• Description The natural reservation was declared protected site under the Law no. 5 dated 6 March 2000 and it represents an area (landslides, abruptions) in the meadow of Minis valley, where in the sedimentary rock layers, important deposits of fossil fauna of mollusks are signaled (assigned to the Tertiary), similar to the one from the paleontological reservation Zabalt fossil place, which is located in the adjacent territory, in Arad county.  It is located at 10 km from Lugoj, it occupies 4 ha on the administrative territory of Bara commune, in the place called "Piatra Rea". It is a reference deposit for the description of the stratigraphic range corresponding to the Medium Pontian. There were described 121 fossil species, libranchiate llama and gastropods (Sinanodonta brandenburgi, Unio procumbens, Uniobielzi, Limnocardium secans, Limnocardium scabriusculum, Limnocardium decorum, Limnocardium vicinum, Limnocardium banaticum, Limnocardium penslii, Limnocardium apertum, Phyllocardium complanatum, Plagiodacna auingeri, Oseudodactillus simplex, Dreissenomya schroeckingeri, Dreissenomya arcuata,Dreissenomya simplex,Congeria radmanesti, Congeria turgida, Congeria simulans, Congeria brandenburgi, Congeria babatonica cavernosa, Theodoxus radmanesti, Theodoxus crescens, Pyrgula archimedis, Pyrgula incissa, Radix paucispira, Gyraulus varians, Gyraulus micromphalus ).

The Bătești daffodil meadow - protected area occupying 20 ha, is in the north-eastern extremity of Timis county, in the northern territorial area of the Batesti village, the administrative territory of Faget town, on the right side of the national road (DN68A) which connects Faget to Margina.  It was declared reservation for the protected specie Narcissus poeticus, which vegetates next to flag specimens from the specie Iris sibirica.  The daffodil has a special feature: if you cut it or break it, they are dried in maximum 24 hours, and the bulbs transplanted anywhere but here do not grow.

Surduc accumulation, founded in 1975, is the largest water spread from the Western Piedmonts. It is a clean oligotrophic water, with no vegetation on the banks, just the upstream part showing some wicker and willow bushes on the grassed discharge polder bank. These places are improper for nesting of the aquatic birds. The lake flanks are strongly anthropomorphized by a number of various constructions of weekend. The area has a high fish potential because, aside Surduc lake, it has two important rivers of Timis county, i.e. Timis and Bega.

The surface of accumulation is currently 357 ha (the largest from the county) and once with the commissioning of the next stage, the level will increase by 6 m by water input from a stream of Bega from Luncani, by an adduction tunnel, until a surface of 538 ha is covered. Surduc lake is the holder of a national record: the narrowest dam as related to the retained volume of water. The lake was made to cover with drinkable and industrial water the Timisoara area and the upstream area, by adjusting and supplementing the flow on the Bega Channel (in urgency system). Other uses are: ensuring water for irrigation and fishing.

The Tinutul Padurenilor site has a total topographic surface of 7174 ha, located on the territory of 8 communes, located at the limit of the counties of Hunedoara (97%), Caraș-Severin (1%) and Timiş (2%): Lunca Cernii de Jos, Bunilă, Cerbal, Lăpugiu de Jos, Bătrâna (Hunedoara county); Tomeşti, Pietroasa (Timiş County) and Rusca Montană (Caraș-Severin).

Codrii Seculari on Valea Dobrişoarei and Prisloapei - is in the counties of Hunedoara and Timis, in Poiana Rusca mountains, altitude: 750 - 1100 m. The area is open for tourists without visiting fee. There are no camping conditions, there are arranged routes.

The secular forests from Drobrisoarei and Prisloapei valley are part from a natural reservation, which protects the trees of up to 200 years of age. Dobrisoarei and Prisloapei valley shelter a natural reservation of forest type, where time stopped, constituting a world of two centuries old. The trees have quasivirgin and plurian structures, with impressive sizes. The protected area expands on the territory of two counties: Hunedoara (82%) and Timis (18%). The largest part of the area is found on the territory of Batrana commune, suggestive name for the treasure it shelters. The reservation has a surface of 139.3 ha and it is currently included in a site of community interest for the protection of the natural habitats, of the wild fauna and flora species. The custody upon the reservation is held by the Deva Forest Division, via the Dobra Forestry.

Archaeological vestiges, monuments and medieval ruins

The entire area is certified since the 13th - 14th centuries, constituting a Romanian community that was under Turkish and then Habsburg occupation. The vestiges and monuments of the area reflect this alternance in full.

In Romanesti, village, there is a paleolithic settlement from mil. VI BC, in Faget we can find the ruins of the Faget Citadel from the 16-17th century; in Jdioara village, Criciova commune, there is the Jioadei Citadel from the 14th - 16th centuries, and in Romanesti village from Tomesti commune, in the cave "Varful lui Filip", there is a neolithic settlement from the bronze age, dating back to mil. II BC.

In Fardea commune on Brainului Valley, there is a former silver mine from the 19th century. At Manastur, there is a medieval settlement and church ruins from the 3td mil. BC. As well as a stand of sycamore trees from the time of Empress Maria Theresa. In Poeni village, one can find the ruins of the castle Oster von Leopoldina and the crypt of the Oster family, in Romanesti there is the monastery "Izvorul lui Miron" and in the localities Victor Vlad Delamarina and Traian Vuia, the poet and the inventor Traian Vuia were born.

ACCESS WAYS

Poiana Rusca:

The access is made via the urban centers Deva, Hunedoara, Simeria, Calan, Hateg, Caransebes, Lugoj, by Faget and Ilia, located around the mountain and connected to the main rail tracks and national roads from the country.

On the northern part of the Poiana Rusca mountains, there are the modernized roads Ilia - Lugoj and Simeria - Deva - Ilia. Next to the communes Vetel, Dobra, Cosava, Făget and Traian Vuia, from these two national roads, touristic routes start.

In the west of the mountain, the modernized road E70 follows the Timis meadow between Lugoj and Caransebes. The mountain touristic routes start from this artery next to the communes Gavojdia and Sacu.

On the south part, there is DN68, which makes the connection between Caransebes and Hateg on the Bistrei valley, Zeicani calley and Hateg country. From this road, the mountain touristic routes start from Voislova and Totesti.

On the east, the road network from around the Poiana Rusca mountains closes through E79, which joints, along the Streiului valley, the towns of Hateg and Simeria. Next to Calan, a modern ramification goes towards Hunedoara, where another national road, DN68, makes the connection towards Deva or Simeria on Cernei valley and via Santuhalm commune.

The natural reservation the Batesti daffodil meadow

located at 800 m from DN 68A, between Faget town and Margina commune, on the right side of the direction Lugoj - Deva.

Surduc lake

The access can be made on DN Timisoara - Deva, right in Traian Vuia towards Fardea.

The lake is located on the west of the country, in Timis county, on the south-east side of the Poiana Rusca mountains, on a distance of about 100 km from Timisoara and 30 km from Lugoj. The access can be made on DN Timisoara - Deva, right in Traian Vuia towards Fardea.

The secular forests on Dobrisoarei and Prisloapei valley

From Timis county: via Pietroasa and Tomesti

From Hunedoara county, via the communes Batrana, Bunila, Cerbal, Lapagiu de Jos, Lunca Cernii de Jos.