The Bucharest University of Economic Studies

Faculty of Business and Tourism

Protected Area Analysis

Defileul Jiului National Park

Remus Hornoiu Conf.Univ.Dr.

Troaca Mircea

Petcu Teodora Georgiana

Bucharest
2017
 The Bucharest University of Economic Studies
Faculty of Business and Tourism

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. About the Natural Park Defileul Jiului ............................................................................... 3
Chapter 1 ....................................................................................................................................... 4
1. Location ............................................................................................................................... 4
2. Landforms ............................................................................................................................ 4
3. Tourism potential ................................................................................................................. 5
4. Natural resources ................................................................................................................ 5
5. The zoning of Defileul Jiului ................................................................................................ 6
6. Flora and fauna .................................................................................................................. 7
Chapter 2 TOURISM EQUIPMENTS ............................................................................................. 8
2. Accomodation.................................................................................................................... 8
3. Points of access................................................................................................................... 9
Chapter 3 ANALYSIS OF TOURST FLOWS ................................................................................ 10
Chapter 4 ACTIVITIES IN THE PARK ......................................................................................... 11
1. Tourist product options ....................................................................................................... 9

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 The Bucharest University of Economic Studies
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THE NATURAL PARK DEFILEUL JIULUI

Established in 2005 on the surface of 11,127 hectares, the Defileul Jiului National Park is
one of the youngest protected areas in Romania. The objective is located in the north of Gorj
county, between the Parang and Valcan massifs, along the narrow and deep valley dug by the Jiu
waters. Relief falls within the altitude of 295 m in the southern extremity of the Jiu Valley and
1,621 m in the Vulcan Pass..

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 The Bucharest University of Economic Studies
Faculty of Business and Tourism

CHAPTER 1

1. LOCATION
The territory, located in a legend landscape, away from the agitation of the towns, is
crossed in the south-north direction of the road Filiasi - Deva, which is included in the European
network as E 79 and Bumbesti - Livezeni railway. Defileul Jiului National Park attracts tourists
through the wilderness and beauty of the landscapes through the unexpected richness of flora,
fauna and last but not least through the peace and fresh air that it offers.

So far, 701 species of plants and 441 species of animals have been inventoried, some of
which are protected by law. 80% of the park is covered with beech and oak forests in
combination with hornbeam or ash. Here live vipers, otters and large-scale carnivorous animals
like bears or lashes. There are 5 lilac species in the Defileul Jiului National Park, disappearing
for years on the rest of our continent, specimens of eagles with small horns and scorpions that are
extinct.

2. LANDFORMS
From a geological point of view, the territory of Hunedoara County overlaps with
two large tectonic-structural units: the Danubian autochthon and the getic cloth. As a
result of the active tectogenesis, two areas were delineated: the crystalline-mesozoic
area of the Southern Carpathians and the Banat Mountains and the sedimentary
volcanic area of a Southern Carpathian Apuseni. The native Cristal (danubian) is
encountered in the Vlcan, Parng, Retezat, arcu and Getian massifs in the Godeanu,
ureanu and Poiana Rusc mountains.

The first area is made of crystalline shale, overlaid with sedimentary-mesozoic

formations, especially Jurassic limestone. Perm-carboniferous formations
(conglomerates, breccias) and mesozoic (sandstone, clayey limestone, limestone)
constitute the sedimentary cover of the lens. The crystalline shale, which is the getian
cloth, is overlapped by structural sediments, especially in the Western Sureanu
Mountains and in Poiana Rusca. The sedimentary-eruptive zone of the Apuseni
Carpathians consists of sedimentary mesozoizations (limestone, marl, clayey,
conglomerate, sandstone) and magma (gabrouri, basalt) and neogene formed
(basalt, andesite, pyroclasi).

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3. TOURISM POTENTIAL
Defileul Jiului National Park is the area where nature beauties and many unique
things attract tourists. Today, the Bumbesti-Livezeni section is the railway sector with
most tunnels in a valley in our country. The endless works at DN 66 keep the tourists
away from this commune of nature, which could benefit two counties.

Facts:

- 2,000 visitors per year, but only about 100 of them are interested about natural
values of the protected area;

- the stay is 1-2 days;

- Activities of current visitors: religious pilgrimage, weekend tourism and mountain

hiking (very few, 10-20 tourists annually).

4. NATURAL RESOURCES
The park includes numerous grottoes, karstic forms, natural wells and avenues,
and at the same time it is the ideal place for many animal species, more than 400,
some of which are endangered and protected by national and international laws, but
also over 700 species special plants.

This jagged river, Jiu, with its tumultuous and quiet waters, traverses the park 30
kilometers from the north to the south, offering not only scientific research possibilities of
the aquatic ecosystem but also some of the best conditions for Practicing rafting or
canoeing, as well as sport fishing or, why not, picnic.

Defileul Jiului is one of the most spectacular and wild gorges in the Carpathian
Mountains, and the road and the railway that crosses it reveal to the eye sectors with
deep valleys of overwhelming beauties, tunnels and viaducts, practically an entire
universe offered primarily by nature, But also by man's skill to build one of the most
spectacular access routes on the Romanian territory.

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5. THE ZONING OF DEFILEUL JIULUI NATURAL PARK

Among the Valcan and Parang mountains shall be carried out Defileul Jiului,
routing of the road and a railway which passes through tens of tunnels and over many
bridges. The gorge starts to the north of the city Bumbesti (located in the south) and
continues to the north-east, and curling continuously until the village Livezeni, located
at the south of Petrosani (before the confluence with the river Jiul de Vest/West Jiu ).

Approximately in the middle of the gorge is the Lainici monastery, in the vicinity
of which there are ways of access marked by Valcan Mountains (on to the hermitage
Locurele) and Parang (immediately to the north of the monastery).

At the level of the road or rail we see the fret of the water which passes through
the gorge, the slopes who rose bewilderingly on both sides and from time to time, on
their side top, with alpine heights.

The railway and the highway pass, not necessarily together, either on a
shore either on another of the river.
To the north of the hermitage Locurele, the chalky peak of Mountains
Valcan, with many caves and forests, on the right bank of the
geographical area.
Defileul Jiului shot from the Valcan mountains (learn on the left side of the
front of the image of the arrow showing the course of water). To the right
of the arrow as we look to the north are Parang Mountains, halfway
through the northern part of the gorge.
The tunnel the railways.
In the background of the image is the highest area in the Mountains
Parang; the foothills are covered by the upper part of a important area,
Valea Polatistea .
The Jiu gorge is in many places very curly; here you can see the tunnels
along the rail.
The Lainici Monastery.
On the highway of the rocky gorge are very few places where you can
overrun in safety.
North of the hermitage Locurele, a look toward the west, the south-
western part of the hilltop from Valcan Mountains.
The forest in the Valcan Mountains,in detail.
In the background of the image is the highest area in the Parang
Mountains; at the foothill, they are covered by the upper part of a
important area, Valea Polatistea .
The forest in the Mountains Valcan, in detail.
The bridge to rail (not all have the same structure)

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6. FLORA AND FAUNA

"The scientific researches in the area, started in 2004, established a first inventory of the
flora and fauna species, as well as the most important habitats that can be found in Defileul Jiului
National Park, which includes a total of 1,142 species , Out of which 441 species of fauna - 168
protected - and 701 species of flora, of which 35 protected, both nationally and internationally,
"explains Marin erban, director of the Park.

Of the protected fauna species, the best known are the brown bear, the wolf, the laugh, the
otter, while the herbivores are represented by roe deer, black deer and black goat, declared a
monument of nature. The park forests are home to different species of chiroptera, including the
vulnerable species: the horseshoe big bat, the bark lion, the long-wing bat, but also some
endangered species such as the small lice with the mouse ears or the big blade with a sharp blade.

At the same time, Defileul Jiului is mentioned in literature as one of the main colors of bird
migration, which is why it was called the "centro - european - bulgarian road". Here you can find
specimens of mountain rooster, mountain eagles and traveler horses, species protected by national
and international laws.

The existence of limestones in these places makes the area populated by reptiles, such as
the two viper species: viper with hornbeam - endemic species for the area - and common viper. In
fact, vines are the species that the inhabitants of the area fear most, although there have been no
cases of attacks on those who come looking for berries. The snakes' family encountered in the Jiu
Valley is complemented by Esculap's snake, honeysuckle snake, house snake or water snake.

Speaking of insects, the Alpine tailor is protected nationally and internationally, this
species prefering beech habitats well represented in the Jiu Defile of the National Park. Also, the
presence of the well-known tailor (Cerambyx cerdo), and the last but not least, of the Carpathian
scorpion - the Romanian Carpathian endemic was also signaled in the area.

The territory of the park is almost entirely covered by forests (85%), and some of them fall
under the so-called "virgin and quasi-virgin forests". Uncovered are only the mountain steeples
and meadows. Compact natural forests consist of stands where the beech and the oak are
predominant. They also host Mediterranean species, such as hornbeam and ash, as well as Dacian
species that make the gorge a "true botanical garden".

"In the DN 66 strain, surviving seemingly insignificant trees survive, but which are, in fact,
traditional biotops for relict insects (specific to an extinct world). It is the case of the Limoniscus
violaceus insect localized in the mineral scabs of the locust beetle (Osmoderma eremita) In high
altitudes or Aggnathus decoratus, located strictly in the trunk of the anchor trees in the gorge. For
these reasons, we think that trees are more than a plank or veneer" as Marin erban says.

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The representative habitats of the area are the beech forests, the oak forests, the alluvial
forests of the black alder on the two sides of the Jiu and in the vicinity of DN 66 Bumbeti Jiu -
Petroani, but also the mountain lawns (Nardus stricta).

CHAPTER 2
Tourism Equipments

ACCOMODATION
The development of agro-tourism hotels and chalets makes the Defileul Jiului
National Park to be a recreational place, as they say, a "green" tourism.

As it is likely that you come from afar and you cannot visit Defileul Jiului in one
day - and the surroundings. You may choose accomodation in Petrosani (closer to the
natural park) or in Targu-Jiu (a little bit further, but you have the chance to visit the
Brancusi agregate). Here are a few offers:

HOTEL PETROSANI**, PETROSANI

Modest hotel but with utilities to European standards, is situated in the center of
the city in Petrosani, next to the Central Park and by 25 minutes away from the National
Park in Retezat Mountains. The rooms have a balcony or terrace with a gorgeous view
on the mountains nearby, minibar and Wi-Fi internet, bathroom with shower or bath.

The tourists accommodated at this hotel can rent a bike or ATV's, Jeeps for mountain
trails. There is also free transportation from the hotel to the ski slopes in Parang and
Straja.

Fare*: 180 lei double room/night (with breakfast)

HOTEL EUROPA*** TARGU-JIU

The hotel is center located in the Municipality of Targu Jiu, very close to the
whole of the sculptural agregate Constantin Brancusi, in the Municipal Park. The hotel
has 27 rooms modern with free wireless internet, air conditioning, private bathroom,
hair-dryer and slippers.

Fare*: 244 lei double room/night (with breakfast)

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POINTS OF ACCESS
by car:

The European road E79 On Route: Targu Jiu - Bumbesti Jiu.

The European road E79 On Route: Deva - Simeria - Calan Hateg - - puppies -
Bath - Petrosani
from any direction, you must get on the national highway 66 linking Bumbesti-Jiu
(Gorj county) to Petrosani (Hunedoara county). If you come from the southern
part of the country, the gate in the gorge is Targu-Jiu; if you come from the
north-west, you will enter on the Petrosani. But beware! The road is full of windings
and can face rocks falling.

by train:

on the line Targu-Jiu - Petrosani there are many stations in which you can lower
that to enter into the Natural Park Defileul Jiului (Sadului Valley, Meri, Lainici,
Pietrele Albe or Strambuta). It deserves to say that a train journey through this
gorge is equally spectacular, because of the many rocks that led to the creation
of the tunnels for the sector of railway line - along the gorge (measuring 33 km)
there are 43 tunnels, most of the country on such a distance, and 109 bridges.

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CHAPTER 3

Analysis of tourist flows

Search results - Arrivals of tourists accommodated in the structure of tourists reception by type of accommodation, type of
tourists,macroregions, development regions and counties

Years

Year 2012 Year 2013 Year 2014 Year 2015 Year 2016
Type of establishment of Type of Macroregions, development
touristic reception tourists regions and counties
MU: Persons

Number of Number of Number of Number of Number of

persons persons persons persons persons

Total Total Gorj 74622 75125 77831 78418 84273

Search results - Staying overnight in the establishments of touristic reception by counties and localities

Years

Year Year Year Year Year Year

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Type of establishment of touristic
Counties Localities
reception
MU: Number

Number Number Number Number Number Number

Total Gorj TOTAL 136721 173316 171171 168737 147156 149869

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Average
Year Arrivals Overnights stay(days)

2012 74622 173316 2,32

2013 75125 171171 2,27

2014 77831 168737 2,16

2015 78418 147156 1,87

2016 84273 149869 1,77

Chapter 4
Activities in the park

In the time spent on Defileul Jiului National Park you can practice

rafting

Defileul Jiului is one of the most wanted places in Romania by the lovers of rafting, an extreme
sport, teamy, which becomes ever more popular and in our country. The waveform has a length
of 35 kilometers and counts over 80 cascades in which the velocity of the water can be reached
up to 40 miles an hour.

The tour operators have got to see the development potential of this sport and they realized
packages of special services for those people who want to combine relaxation with adrenaline.

The season rafting trip on Defileul Jiului opens, as a general rule, in the month of April and
may take up in the first part of the month of October, if the temperatures outside are
maintained with pads for tourists.

On the Jiu river are three sections with varying degrees of difficulty which may be rafting. The
first line is even more difficult and it starts immediately after the bridge at the exit of the
Aninoasa City, in the area of energy facilities. Continue then in addition to the Lainici
monastery, with a second line, ending with a third line, in the area of the Sadu village, Gorj
county.

The risks for rafting lovers are minimal, as they are well trained before ascend in to the boats
and are equipped with special suits with neoprene, safety shoes with neoprene, lifejackets and
headphones. Also in each boat there is a professional pilot, which they must obey all over the
word and which draws the tasks for each.

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horse riding,
hiking,
cycling,
fishing
or just visit many places.

Nearby the park are numerous objectives of historical interest, cultural and
tourism, as following:

The wooden church "Sf. Arhangheli" (the "Sanonilor") in Petrosani, built in the XVIII-
th century, a historic monument.
The wooden church "Saint Nicholas" in Bumbesti Jiu, built in 1760, a historic
monument.
The wooden church "Sfintii Voievozi" from Plesa (Bumbesti Jiu), built in 1706, a
historic monument.
The Old Church of Lainici Monastery located in the area of the park
The church "Entry into the Church" of Lainici monastery, built between 1812-1827,
a historic monument.
The "Schimbarea la Fata" in Jiu Bumbesti, built in 1835, a historic monument.
The church "Sf. Ioan Botezatorul" Bumbesti Jiu, built in 1820, a historic monument.
The wooden church "Sf. Gheorghe" in Sambotin, built in 1794, a historic
monument.
The wooden church "Sf. Dumitru" in Schela, built in 1781, a historic monument.
The museum of the traditional local architecture of Bumbesti Jiu.
The Cornoiu town of Bumbesti Jiu.
The Romanian Castre/Roman camps:
Bumbesti-Jiu (1)
Bumbesti-Jiu (2)
Bumbesti-Jiu (3)

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TOURIST PRODUCT OPTIONS:

Everyone can get a glimpse of the wonderful landscapes Defileul Jiului offers, in a day
tour or many days-tour offered by local tour operator Holidays Tourism.

TOUR #1

Day 1 - RESITA Caransebes Hateg PETROSANI Defileul Jiului TARGU JIU

Hobita Manastirea TISMANA Tg. Jiu SACELU.

Day 2 - SACELU Pestera Muierii Hurezi Monastery Bistrita Monastery Rm.

Valcea Valea Oltului / COZIA Cisnadie CISNADIOARA.

Day 3 - CISNADIOARA SIBIU Sebes Orastie Hateg Caransebes - RESITA.

Price = 267,00 lei / person

The price includes :

transportation by coach 46/49 seats . Optional: minibus with 35 seats or microbus

with 16/19 seats - dinner + accomodation + breakfast at Sacelu camp ; dinner +
accomodation + breakfast at Cisnadioara-Sibiu camp ;

One free place on 10 bought !

Optional lunch serving on the waveform and the tour guide.

Touristic attractions: Old medieval centre with Brukenthal Museum and

Dumbrava Park from Sibiu, Defileul Oltului with Cozia Monastery and Calimanasti-
Caciulata resorts, Ramnicu Valcea municipality, Bistrita,Hurezi ,Polovraci and Tismana
monasteries, The Pottery Centre Horezu, Pestera Muierii, the operas of Constantin
Brancusi from Tg.Jiu (Coloana Infinitului, Poarta Sarutului, Aleea cu Scaune,Masa
Tacerii), the memorial house of Constantin Brancusi, Defileul Jiului with Schitu Lainici,
Petrosani municipality.

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TOUR #2 SEASONAL TOUR

Day 1 - RESITA Caransebes Hateg PETROSANI Jiului Valley - Schitu LAINICI

TG. JIU HOBITA TISMANA monastery Tg. Jiu SACELU, dinner + acomodation

Day 2 - SACELU, breakfast - Novaci RANCA TRANSALPINA Obarsia Lotrului

Cabana Oasa Sebes Orastie Hateg Caransebes RESITA.

Price = 180,00 lei / person

The price includes :

transportation by coach 46/49 seats . Optional: minibus with 35 seats or microbus

with 16/19 seats - dinner + accomodation + breakfast at Sacelu camp ;

One free place on 10 bought !

Optional lunch serving on the waveform and the tour guide.

Touristic attractions: Petrosani municipality, Defileul Jiului with Lainici

monastery,the operas of C-tin Brancusi from Targu Jiu, Constantin Brancusi memorial
house, Tismana monastery, crossing the TRANSALPINA highway 2145 m alt , the barrier
lake and Oasa cabin, Sebes and Orastie municipalities .

TOUR #3

Day 1 - RESITA Caransebes Hateg Orastie Sebes SIBIU Oltului Valley/

COZIA Rm. Valcea HOREZU, dinner + accomodation

Day 2 - HOREZU, breakfast Bistrita monastery Hurezi monastery HOREZU

serving lunch- Polovragi monastery Pestera Muierii TG. JIU Jiului Valley/ LAINICI
PETROSANI Hateg Caransebes RESITA.

Price = 205,00 lei / person

The price includes:

transportation by coach 46/49 seats . Optional: minibus with 35 seats or microbus

with 16/19 seats
dinner + accomodation + breakfast + lunch at HOREZU hotel.

One free place on 10 bought !

Optional lunch serving on the waveform and the tour guide.

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Touristic attractions: Sibiu municipality with the old medieval area and Dumbrava park,
Defileul Oltului with Cozia monastery, Ramnicu Valcea municipality, Hurezi monastery,
the pottery centre in Horezu, Pestera Muierii, operas of C-tin Brancusi from Targu Jiu,
Defileul Jiului with Schitul Lainici, Petrosani municipality

TOUR #4

Day 1 - RESITA Caransebes Hateg Simeria SIBIU Oltului Valley - COZIA Rm.
ValceaCurtea de ArgesBaraj VidraruCAPATANENI Arges dinner + accomodation

Day 2 - CAPATANENI, breakfast - CURTEA de ARGES Rm. Valcea Bistrita

monastery, Hurezi monastery HOREZU Pestera Muierii TARGU JIU Jiului Valley /
Lainici PETROSANI Hateg Caransebes RESITA.

Price = 212,00 lei / person

The price includes:

transport by bus 46/49 persons, Optional minibus 35 pers or microbus 16/19 pers.
dinner + accomodation + breakfast at DRACULA boarding house ( Valea
Argesului ) ;

One free place on 10 bought !

Optional lunch serving on the waveform and the tour guide.

Touristic attractions: Sibiu municipality with the old medieval area and Dumbrava park,
Defileul Oltului with Cozia monastery, Curtea de Arges municipality with its monastery,
Curtea Domneasca and Barajul Vidraru on Arges river, Rm. Valcea municipality, Bistrita
and Hurezi monasteries, the pottery centre of Horezu, Pestera Muierii, Targu Jiu
municipality with Brancusi park and monuments, Defileul Jiului with Schitul Lainici,
Petrosani municipality.

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2017