Ceahlău Massif

For the commune in eastern Romania, see Ceahlău, Neamț.

The Ceahlău Massif (pronounced [tʃe̯ahˈləw]) is one of the most famous mountains of Romania.^[1] It is part of the Bistrița Mountains range of the Eastern Carpathians division, in Neamț County, in the Moldavia region. The two most important peaks are Toaca (1904 m elevation) and Ocolașul Mare (1907 m elevation). It is bounded to the east by the river Bistrița and Lake Bicaz, to the south by the river Bicaz. From the south, the main access point is the village of Izvorul Muntelui, located 12 km north from the town of Bicaz. To the north, Mount Ceahlău is also accessible from Durău.

Ceahlău Massif
Highest point
Elevation	1,907 m (6,257 ft)
Coordinates	46.955°N 25.9457°E / 46.955; 25.9457
Geography
Location	Neamț County, Romania
Parent range	Eastern Carpathians
Geology
Rock age	Cretaceous
Mountain type	Intrusive

3D - Ceahlău

Activities

Ceahlău - "Piatra Lată din Ghedeon" rock formation

Leontopodium alpinum, edelweiss or floare de colț is a protected species in Romania since 1933

Ceahlău National Park shelters a large variety of flora and fauna; some of the species are endemic or rarely seen elsewhere in Romania.

Hiking

Mount Ceahlău is a popular hiking destination in Romania. There are seven main marked trails built for hikers and tourists.^[2] There are entry fees for visiting Ceahlău National Park.^[3] and fines for not respecting park's regulations.^[3] The park is monitored by local rangers, and there is also a mountain rescue service (Salvamont).^[4]

Skiing

There are ski slopes located at Durău.

Camping

Camping is permitted only in a few designated places: in Durău, near Dochia Chalet and in Izvorul Muntelui.

Chalets and refuges

• Izvorul Muntelui Chalet (757 m elevation, basecamp), near Bicaz
• Dochia Chalet (1750 m, near Toaca Peak)
• Fântânele Chalet (1220m, near Durău)^[5]
• Ceahlău - Toaca weather station

Notable sights and places

• Duruitoarea waterfall
• Panaghia rock
• Piatra Lată din Ghedeon rock formation
• Ocolașul Mic Peak
• Dochia Rock
• Turnul lui Butu Stone
• Poiana Maicilor (engl: Nuns' glade)
• Poiana Stănile
• Polița cu crini protected area
• Gardul Stănilelor

Climate

Ceahlău has a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc) bordering on tundra climate (Köppen ET).

Climate data for Ceahlău Toaca, 1991-2020 (elevation 1897m)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	8.1 (46.6)	10.2 (50.4)	13.6 (56.5)	18.7 (65.7)	21.3 (70.3)	25.1 (77.2)	25.7 (78.3)	25.6 (78.1)	24.0 (75.2)	19.8 (67.6)	17.6 (63.7)	10.4 (50.7)	25.7 (78.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	−5.0 (23.0)	−4.6 (23.7)	−2.1 (28.2)	3.4 (38.1)	9.3 (48.7)	13.2 (55.8)	15.1 (59.2)	15.2 (59.4)	10.1 (50.2)	5.7 (42.3)	1.2 (34.2)	−3.5 (25.7)	4.8 (40.7)
Daily mean °C (°F)	−7.7 (18.1)	−7.6 (18.3)	−5.4 (22.3)	−0.2 (31.6)	5.2 (41.4)	8.9 (48.0)	10.7 (51.3)	10.9 (51.6)	6.2 (43.2)	2.3 (36.1)	−1.6 (29.1)	−6.2 (20.8)	1.3 (34.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	−10.2 (13.6)	−10.2 (13.6)	−8.0 (17.6)	−2.7 (27.1)	2.4 (36.3)	6.0 (42.8)	7.7 (45.9)	8.1 (46.6)	3.6 (38.5)	−0.2 (31.6)	−4.1 (24.6)	−8.6 (16.5)	−1.3 (29.6)
Record low °C (°F)	−25.8 (−14.4)	−23.8 (−10.8)	−15.6 (3.9)	−11.8 (10.8)	−4.5 (23.9)	−1.4 (29.5)	−1.8 (28.8)	−6.3 (20.7)	−16.2 (2.8)	−20.3 (−4.5)	−26.4 (−15.5)	−25.2 (−13.4)	−26.4 (−15.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	25.0 (0.98)	28.3 (1.11)	36.3 (1.43)	49.5 (1.95)	82.4 (3.24)	122.4 (4.82)	110.3 (4.34)	93.5 (3.68)	49.2 (1.94)	41.0 (1.61)	24.8 (0.98)	30.6 (1.20)	693.3 (27.28)
Average snowy days	31.0	28.3	30.5	28.6	10.9	0.4	0.0	0.1	0.9	8.8	16.6	29.0	185.1
Source: NOAA[6]

Other uses of the name

• Ceahlăul Stadium, in Piatra Neamț
• FC Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț, a Romanian soccer team

See also

• Seven Natural Wonders of Romania