Dunavățu de Jos - Letea Forest: Nature (1 week)
Access information
Access
Boat
Road
On water
Gear
Footwear
Water
Hat
Sunscreen
Repellent
Modest dress
By boat, 1 week, through nature and landscapes of the Danube Delta, about 449 km: from Dunavățu de Jos to Letea Forest, 31 stops. End of the road. Fishing village on the Danube bank, a gateway to wetlands and birds. Romania’s first nature reserve (1938): lianas, centuries-old oaks. Visit only on designated trails, with a guide.
How to do the route
Plan a week with 2-3 bases (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
- Dunavățu de Jos - End of the road.
- Cetatea Halmyris - The fortress where Epictet and Astion were martyred (AD 290); their relics, discovered in the crypt in 2001.
- Murighiol - South Delta.
- Uzlina - Guided tour with binoculars, without disturbing the birds.
- Canal spre Letea - Quiet crossing by water, with a guide — no noise or litter left on the shore.
- Letea - With an ARBDD guide.
- Canal Caraorman - Access only with an authorised guide.
- Caraorman - Dune forest.
- Zone umede Letea - Approach to Letea Forest, with rarely seen birds.
- Canalul Mila 23 - Quiet water, ideal for kayaking.
- Crișan - Mile 13.
- Pădurea Caraorman - Ancient oaks on a mound, beside Lake Roșu. Strictly protected area — stay on the guide's route.
- Mila 23 - Village on the water.
- Maliuc - Reed beds.
- Zone de observare pelicani - Birdwatching.
- Mahmudia - Fishing village on the Danube bank, gateway to wetlands and birds.
- Canale interioare - Slow, silent navigation on quiet channels.
- Portul Tulcea - Embarkation on classic or fast vessels bound for Sulina.
- Faleza Dunării - The Danube.
- Tulcea - Gateway to the Delta.
- Mănăstirea Cocoș - The forest monastery housing the relics of the Niculițel martyrs.
- Vârful Țuțuiatu - The highest summit in Dobruja, with views over the Danube and Măcin.
- Culmea Pricopanului - Hercynian rock and Pontic steppe on the same route.
- Poiana cu stejari - Sub-Mediterranean forest at the foot of the mountain.
- Slava Cercheza - By the lagoon.
- Cetatea Enisala - The only medieval fortress in Dobruja, with a panorama over Razim lagoon.
- Sarichioi - Traditional village on the shores of Razim.
- Malul lagunei Razim - Salt water and traditional fishing.
- Gura Portiței - The only natural link between Razim and the Black Sea.
- Chilia Veche - Northern branch.
- Pădurea Letea - Romania's first nature reserve (1938): lianas, ancient oaks. Visit only on designated trails, with a guide.