Măcin - Smârdan: Mixed (1 week)
Access information
Access
Car
On foot
Boat
Road
Unprepared
Gear
Footwear
Water
Hat
Sunscreen
Repellent
Modest dress
Mixed, 1 week, through the Danube Delta, about 413 km: from Măcin to Smârdan, 31 stops. Gateway to the mountains. A fishing village on the left bank of the Chilia. The village where the decisive battle for Dobrogea was fought.
How to do the route
Plan a week with 2-3 bases for overnight stays (e.g. Constanța, Tulcea, Sulina). Book boats and ARBDD guides for Letea/Caraorman in advance. Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (ARBDD): follow the local rules and the instructions of the authorities or licensed guides.
Stops on the route
- Măcin - Gateway to the mountains.
- Greci - Italian stonemasons.
- Vârful Țuțuiatu - Dobruja peak.
- Mănăstirea Cocoș - In the forest.
- Niculițel - bazilica martirilor - Martyrs.
- Isaccea - Noviodunum - Noviodunum.
- Malul Dunării - Isaccea - View of the river and the bridge to Galați.
- Carcaliu - Traditional village.
- Muzeul de Istorie și Arheologie - Collections from Aegyssus, the Geto-Dacian citadel on the hill.
- Tulcea - Gate of the Delta: Danube cliff and Independence Monument.
- Monumentul Independenței - Statue of Mircea the Elder and a panorama over the Danube.
- Faleza Dunării - Independence Monument and museum.
- Poarta Deltei - Tulcea - Tourist information.
- Portul Tulcea - Embarkation on classic or fast vessels to Sulina.
- Ceatalchioi - Village at the confluence of the branches, with an authentic Danube landscape.
- Pardina - Fishing village on the left bank of the Chilia.
- Canale interioare - Slow, silent navigation on quiet channels.
- Băltenii de Jos - Village on the Danube bank, with boats at the gate.
- Zone de observare pelicani - Observation from a distance, with binoculars, without disturbing the nests.
- Mahmudia - Fishing village on the Danube bank, gateway to wetlands and birds.
- Murighiol - Fishing village with salt lakes, starting point into the Delta on the St George branch.
- Cetatea Halmyris - Citadel where Epictet and Astion were martyred (290 AD); their relics, discovered in the crypt in 2001.
- Dunavățu de Jos - End of the road, between the Delta channels and Lake Razim; here stood the Cossacks' Danubian "Scythia".
- Uzlina - Guided tour with binoculars, without disturbing the birds.
- Canal spre Letea - Quiet crossing by water, with guide — no noise or litter left on the bank.
- Canal Caraorman - Access only with authorised guide.
- Canalul Mila 23 - Calm water, ideal for kayaking.
- Mila 23 - Fishing village accessible only by water.
- Maliuc - Stop in the heart of the reed beds; pelicans are never far away.
- Sarichioi - Traditional village on the Razim shore.
- Smârdan - The village where the decisive battle for Dobruja was fought.