National park · Moldova
Orhei National ParkParcul Național Orhei
Enter Orhei National Park: pay MDL 30 000 per adult (≈$1.60) at the gate, drive 55 km (34 mi) north of Chișinău; hike in June–Sept, avoid weekend crowds in July.Enter Orhei National Park: pay MDL 30 000 per adult (≈$1.60) at the gate, drive 34 mi (55 km) north of Chișinău; hike in June–Sept, avoid weekend crowds in July.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
340 km² (131 sq mi)131 sq mi (340 km²)
approximate
Established
2013
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Reach this subregion only from the EU side — Romania for …
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Eastern Europe ↗Reach this subregion only from the EU side — Romania for Moldova — through crossings run by recognised authorities; no route through Ukraine, Belarus or Russia is planned here.
- Eastern Europe ↗Re-read your government's advice for Moldova (it covers Transnistria) in the week you travel; the situation next door changes fast.
- Eastern Europe ↗Carry euros in cash for Transnistria and village Moldova; cards stop working at the Dniester.
- Moldova ↗Moldova is outside the EU and Schengen area and sets its own entry rules; check the official requirements for your passport.
- Moldova ↗Enter and leave Moldova through crossings run by the Moldovan authorities (for example Chișinău airport or the Romanian border), so your entry is recorded.
- Moldova ↗Transnistria has separate de facto controls, currency and limited consular access; read your government's advice before going. See the Transnistria page.
At a glance
- Country
- Moldova
- Area
- 340 km² (131 sq mi)131 sq mi (340 km²)
- Park covers about 340 km² (34 000 ha), roughly 1 % of Moldova’s land area (official figure).
- Established
- 2013
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Orhei National Park, established in 2013, is Moldova’s sole national park, featuring forested hills, river valleys of the Răut, and cultural sites such as Old Orhei and Curchi Monastery.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2013.
Size and age
340 km² (131 sq mi)131 sq mi (340 km²) · national park since 2013
Park covers about 340 km² (34 000 ha), roughly 1 % of Moldova’s land area (official figure).
Why go
- Moldova’s only national park, offering forested hills and river valleys.
- Access to historic sites like Old Orhei and Curchi Monastery within the park.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, low visitor numbers (check).
- FebCool, dry (check).
- MarMild, early spring (check).
- AprPleasant weather, wildflowers.
- MayWarm, dry, good for hikes.
- JunWarm, low rain, ideal trekking.
- JulHeat peaks, occasional storms.
- AugHeat and rain, trails may be muddy.
- SepCooler, dry, fewer tourists.
- OctCool, occasional rain.
- NovCool, low visitor numbers.
- DecCold, quiet.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest birds and small mammalsApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Rare plant species (52 listed by IUCN)May–Aug | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Chișinău
Drive north on R20 then R6 for about 55 km (34 mi) to the park entrance.Drive north on R20 then R6 for about 34 mi (55 km) to the park entrance.
≈1 h
Open the page →
From Orhei town
Follow signs south on R20/R6 for 10 km (6.2 mi) to the gate.Follow signs south on R20/R6 for 6.2 mi (10 km) to the gate.
≈15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance area | Visitor desk, parking, trailheads to Trebujeni and Curchi. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Trebujeni landscape reserve | Hilly forest trails and river views. | Marked paths, no guide required. |
| Curchi Monastery sector | Curchi monastery and surrounding woods. | Open to visitors, trail signs present. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on the park’s official location; points are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | MDL 30,000 | person | Ticket sold at the gate near Orhei (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
- Dogs
- Must be on a leash and under control.
- Camping
- Only in designated areas; wild camping prohibited.
- Off‑trail walking
- Stay on marked paths to protect flora.
Where to stay
Near the park
Orhei town hotels
Basic and mid‑range options, 15 min drive to park.
Near the park
Guesthouses in villages near the park
Family‑run rooms, support local economy.
Safety
Heat medium
Ticks and insects low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main entrance reachable by car; short walks to trailheads.
- Some trails have steep sections, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in local guesthouses and buy food locally.
- Follow park rules to protect rare plants and habitats.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Orhei National Park?
MDL 30 000 per adult (≈$1.60); children under 7 enter free.
What are the best hikes in Orhei National Park?
Trebujeni landscape reserve (2–3 h), Curchi Monastery trail (1–2 h) and the Old Orhei archaeological walk (≈2 h).
When is the best time to visit Orhei National Park?
Late spring to early autumn (April–October), with June–September offering the most reliable weather.
Can I camp inside the park?
Only in designated campgrounds; wild camping is prohibited.
Is a guide required for any trails?
No guide is required for the main marked trails, but a guide is recommended for off‑track exploration.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Orhei National Park
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