Nature Reserve Guide
Brașov County is home to 4 designated nature reserves, part of a larger network of protected areas in Romania's Transylvania region. These reserves encompass a diverse range of landscapes within the Carpathian Mountains, from the forested slopes and massifs of the Bârsa and Leaota Mountains to the steppe-like vegetation of the Lempeș hill. The terrain provides a setting for numerous outdoor activities, primarily hiking, mountain biking, and mountaineering, across a variety of trails.
This collection of the best nature reserves in Brașov features more than 200 routes for hiking, jogging, and cycling, with experiences shared by over 5,000 komoot users. The Piatra Mare massif offers more than 20 distinct hiking trails. The urban reserve of Aria Protejată Muntele Tâmpa provides accessible routes directly above the city. Further afield, the Leaota mountains are characterized by broad ridges and extensive forests ideal for mountaineering. Near Sânpetru, the Rezervația Naturală Lempeș protects unique flora and offers a number of road cycling routes in its vicinity. These protected areas are vital for conserving local biodiversity and offer a structured environment for outdoor recreation.
210
Routes
4.5
(809)
Average rating
6479
Explored with komoot
Last updated: April 23, 2026

4.6
(355)
2,731
hikers
Piatra Mare is a nature reserve in Romania's Bârsa Mountains, offering varied terrain for hiking, cycling, and jogging routes.
Hiking
Running
Mountaineering
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(276)
2,162
hikers
Aria Protejată Muntele Tâmpa is a nature reserve above Brașov, offering diverse terrain for hiking, cycling, and jogging routes in the Eastern Carpathians.
Hiking
Running
Mountaineering
Mountain biking
Road cycling
Cycling

4.8
(89)
844
hikers
Rezervația Naturală Lempeș, near Brașov, offers diverse landscapes for hiking, road cycling, and jogging across varied terrain and forests.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Road cycling
Cycling

4.2
(89)
742
hikers
Leaota is a nature reserve in central Romania with broad ridges, high plateaus, and extensive forests, offering diverse terrain for hiking, mountain biking, and mountaineering.
Hiking
Mountaineering
Mountain biking
Cycling
This page aggregates routes within four designated nature reserves in Brașov County. These include the Piatra Mare massif, the urban reserve of Aria Protejată Muntele Tâmpa, the steppe-like vegetation of Rezervația Naturală Lempeș, and the forested ridges of the Leaota mountains.
The primary activities are human-powered outdoor sports. This collection features more than 200 routes for hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling. There are also options for trail running and mountaineering in specific areas.
No, this page specifically covers the four nature reserves of Piatra Mare, Muntele Tâmpa, Lempeș, and Leaota. While Piatra Craiului and Bucegi are significant protected areas in the wider Brașov region, the routes and information here are focused on the aforementioned reserves.
The Piatra Mare reserve offers varied terrain for multiple sports. It contains over 20 hiking trails, including routes to the Seven Ladders Canyon, as well as mountaineering paths and numerous road cycling routes in the surrounding area.
Aria Protejată Muntele Tâmpa is a reserve located directly above the city of Brașov. It provides accessible trails for hiking and trail running, with paths leading from the city base to the summit. The reserve also features routes suitable for mountain biking and road cycling on its lower slopes and adjacent areas.
Yes, hiking is a dominant activity across these reserves, with dozens of trails available. The Piatra Mare massif alone has more than 20 distinct hiking trails. Routes range from gentle forest walks to more demanding mountain ascents.
Cycling is well-represented, with options for both road and mountain biking. Rezervația Naturală Lempeș and its surroundings are particularly noted for road cycling, with over 15 routes. Mountain bike trails can be found in Piatra Mare, Muntele Tâmpa, and the Leaota mountains.
The Leaota reserve is characterized by broad ridges, high plateaus, and extensive forests. This terrain is suitable for longer hiking and mountaineering expeditions, as well as challenging mountain bike routes.
Yes, accessible trails are available, particularly in the urban reserve of Muntele Tâmpa, which has several paths of varying difficulty starting from the city. The areas around the bases of the larger massifs, like Piatra Mare, also offer gentler walks suitable for a wider range of fitness levels.
The trails of Muntele Tâmpa are directly accessible on foot from the historic center of Brașov. Multiple paths, such as the 'Drumul Serpentinelor' and the 'Treapta Gabony,' begin near the old city walls and ascend the mountain.
Located near Sânpetru, Rezervația Naturală Lempeș is a hill protected for its unique steppe-like vegetation, which is rare for the region. While the hill itself has hiking paths, the surrounding area is also popular for its network of road cycling routes through rolling terrain.

