National park · Romania
Iron Gates Natural ParkParcul Natural Porțile de Fier
Pay the entry fee (≈10 RON per adult), drive to the main gate near Orșova, hike the Great Kazan Gorge in spring (April–May) or the Small Kazan Gorge any time; avoid peak summer heat (July–August).
- 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
1,150 km² (444 sq mi)444 sq mi (1,150 km²)
approximate
Established
2005
Best months
Apr–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- 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.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Romania ↗Romania is in the EU and the Schengen area; the EU Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU visitors. Check the official EU and Romanian sources for your passport.
- Romania ↗Drivers need an electronic road vignette (rovinieta) on national roads; rental cars normally include it, but check.
- Romania ↗Brown bears live in the Carpathians and sometimes enter towns and roadsides: never feed or approach them, and follow local warnings.
- Banat ↗Rovinieta vignette is required on national roads; buy it online or at a fuel station before driving.
- Banat ↗Mountain Banat sights (Semenic, Oravița towers, Băile Herculane) are poorly served by public transport; a car is the practical option.
At a glance
- Country
- Romania
- Area
- 1,150 km² (444 sq mi)444 sq mi (1,150 km²)
- Park covers roughly 1,150 km² of Danube gorge, forest and cliffs; figures may vary by source (check).
- Established
- 2005
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Iron Gates Natural Park protects the Romanian side of the Danube Iron Gates gorge, featuring steep cliffs, river canyons, rare reptiles and large mammals, plus the Decebalus rock sculpture and historic sites.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2005.
Size and age
1,150 km² (444 sq mi)444 sq mi (1,150 km²) · national park since 2005
Park covers roughly 1,150 km² of Danube gorge, forest and cliffs; figures may vary by source (check).
Why go
- Explore the Danube Iron Gates gorge and its dramatic cliffs.
- See rare reptiles like Hermann's tortoise and the long‑nosed viper.
- Spot large mammals such as brown bear, lynx and red deer.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanCold, possible ice on trails
- FebCold, limited services
- MarEarly spring, trails opening
- AprMild weather, river level good
- MayWarm, dry, best for gorge hikes
- JunHeat rises, some trail heat
- JulHot, possible thunderstorms
- AugHot, occasional rain
- SepCooler, fewer crowds
- OctPleasant, foliage colors
- NovCool, some facilities close
- DecCold, limited access
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown bear, lynx, wild cat, red deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Hermann's tortoise, long‑nosed viperApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate (Orșova) | Visitor centre, ticket office, parking, trailheads to the gorges. | Open daily, ticket required. |
| Great Kazan Gorge | Narrowest part of the Iron Gates, steep cliffs, viewing platforms. | Trail from main gate, marked. |
| Small Kazan Gorge | Less steep side gorge, suitable for easy walks. | Trail from main gate, marked. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 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 are approximate centre of the park; points are from official map data.
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 (adult) | RON 10 | person | 2026 estimate |
| Park entry (child 0–12) | RON 5 | person | 2026 estimate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- RON 10
- RON 5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Official Iron Gates Park website before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; wild camping prohibited.
- Fires
- Open fires forbidden; use provided grills where available.
- Stay on trails
- Off‑trail walking may damage fragile habitats.
Where to stay
Near the park
Orșova town
Hotels, guesthouses and restaurants, ~15 km (9.3 mi) from the gate.Hotels, guesthouses and restaurants, ~9.3 mi (15 km) from the gate.
In the park
Camping at Porțile de Fier
Designated campground with basic facilities.
Safety
Heat and steep sections medium
Wildlife encounters 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 gate area reachable by car; short paved paths to visitor centre.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile flora.
- Use designated waste bins; take litter with you.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Iron Gates Natural Park?
Adult entry is about 10 RON per person; children 0–12 pay around 5 RON. Tickets are bought at the main gate.
What are the best hikes in Iron Gates Natural Park?
The Great Kazan Gorge (moderate, 2–3 h) and the Small Kazan Gorge (easy, 1–2 h) are the most popular. The Decebalus rock sculpture offers a short viewpoint walk.
When is the best time to visit Iron Gates Natural Park?
April to May offers mild weather and good river levels; September to October is also pleasant with fewer crowds.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only in the designated campground; wild camping is prohibited.
Are there any wildlife restrictions?
Do not approach or feed large mammals; respect protected reptile habitats and stay on trails.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Iron Gates Natural Park
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