Dobrogea Gorges - Sfântu Gheorghe: 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 564 km: from the Dobrogea Gorges to Sfântu Gheorghe, 32 stops. Limestone reefs. End of the road. Village at the mouth of the arm, where the Danube meets the sea.
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
- Cheile Dobrogei - Limestone reefs.
- Parcul eolian Fântânele - Turbines on the hill.
- Lacul Tașaul - Steppe lake.
- Gura Portiței - Sand and water.
- Malul lagunei Razim - Salt water and traditional fishing.
- Cetatea Enisala - Dobruja's only medieval citadel, with a panorama over Lake Razim.
- Sarichioi - Traditional village on the shore of Razim.
- Mahmudia - Fishing village on the Danube bank, gateway to wetlands and birds.
- Zone de observare pelicani - Birdwatching.
- Maliuc - Reedbed.
- Canale interioare - Slow, silent navigation on quiet channels.
- Portul Tulcea - Embark on classic or fast vessels to Sulina.
- Mănăstirea Cocoș - The forest monastery housing the relics of the Niculițel martyrs.
- Murighiol - Southern Delta.
- Cetatea Halmyris - The citadel where Epictet and Astion were martyred (AD 290); their relics, discovered in the crypt in 2001.
- Dunavățu de Jos - End of the road.
- 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 bank.
- Letea - With an ARBDD guide.
- Canal Caraorman - Access only with an authorised guide.
- Lacul Roșu - Quiet lagoon in the Delta.
- Caraorman - Dune forest.
- Zone umede Letea - Near Letea Forest, with rarely seen birds.
- Canalul Mila 23 - Calm water, ideal for kayaking.
- Crișan - Mile 13.
- Pădurea Caraorman - Ancient oaks on the mound, beside Red Lake. Strictly protected area — stay on the guide's route.
- Mila 23 - Fishing village accessible only by water.
- Chilia Veche - Last Romanian village on the branch, at the border.
- Pădurea Letea - Romania's first nature reserve (1938): lianas, ancient oaks. Visit only on designated trails, with a guide.
- Sulina - Lighthouse of the European Commission of the Danube (1870), now a museum, 2 km from the receding sea.
- Plaja Sulina - Wild beach where the Danube completes its 2,860 km journey.
- Sfântu Gheorghe - Village at the mouth of the branch, where the Danube meets the sea.