g0.md · Hiking trails
Gorges and waterfalls
The most striking gorge trails on the Dniester and Răut · Țipova and Saharna, with cave monasteries, waterfalls and rocky paths. Most are moderate, with descents and climbs; bring good shoes and water.
The trails at a glance
| Trail | Difficulty | Distance | Marked | Water | From Chișinău |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rezervația Țipova | moderate | 8 km | yes | yes | 91 min |
| Tipova Waterfall | moderate | 8 km | yes | yes | 100 min |
| The Dry Waterfall | easy | · | no | no | 100 min |
| Tipova Viewpoint | easy | · | no | no | 95 min |
| Rezervația Saharna | moderate | · | no | yes | 103 min |
| Saharna Waterfall | moderate | · | no | yes | 108 min |
| Cascada Parcani | easy | · | no | yes | 135 min |
| Defileul Văratic | moderate | · | no | no | 177 min |
The Țipova gorge
Moldova’s best-known gorge, cut into limestone by the Răut. The main trail runs about 8 km round trip, from the cave monastery to the big waterfall, and is marked from kilometre 2 onward. The viewpoint and the dry waterfall are short stops on the same slope, so you can walk the whole gorge or just an hour of it.
Coborârea în defileul răcoros, cascadele, mănăstirea rupestră și vederea asupra Nistrului, cu apă și mâncare în rucsac
≈ 8 km round trip from the monastery to the big waterfall through the Răut gorge; waymarked from km 2, dirt paths and steps that get slippery when wet. Wear hiking shoes.
Drumeție prin defileele de lângă Nistru, spre cele patru cascade
≈ 8 km round trip to the 10-15 m Răut waterfalls; steep sections near the water, waymarked from km 2.
O oprire în defileul Țipova, la „cascada seacă", pe drumul spre mănăstirea rupestră
A short walk to the dry waterfall in the Țipova gorge; rocky scenery.
Panorama peste valea Nistrului, de pe creastă
A short trail to the viewpoint over the Răut meanders.
The Saharna gorge
North of Țipova, Saharna gathers several small waterfalls along a single stream, between rock and forest. The path climbs from the monastery alongside the water, and the wet sections stay slippery most of the year. Choose it if you want moving water rather than wide views.
Urcarea la capela de deasupra parcării, apoi cascadele și galeriile, cu o noapte în cort la pârâu, în timpul săptămânii
A gorge trail past waterfalls to the monastery and Grimidon rock; forest paths with climbs.
Traseul circular de o oră și jumătate prin pădure, cu cascada și mănăstirea din stâncă, dimineața devreme
A path along the Saharna gorge waterfalls; wet, rocky sections.
Other gorges
Two less-walked stops, worth it once you have already seen Țipova and Saharna. Neither is marked and the paths are read as you go, so download the map for offline use.
Podul de cale ferată, poteca stâncoasă și cascada cu stânci acoperite de mușchi verde
A short descent into a small canyon, between walls covered in moss and ferns. No signposting at all · you need GPS coordinates, and the mobile signal drops inside the canyon. The path turns muddy and slippery after rain. Best in spring, when the flow is at its fullest.
Good to know
Only one trail in this guide is marked: the Țipova one, and only from kilometre 2 onward. For the rest you need a map downloaded for offline use, because the signal drops inside the canyons. Wet limestone stays slippery most of the year, so hiking shoes are not optional. There is water on the trail at Țipova, Saharna and Parcani, but not at Văratic. Spring and the days after heavy rain bring the waterfalls to full flow; some shrink badly in summer.
Frequently asked
- How long is the Țipova trail?
- About 8 km round trip, from the cave monastery to the big waterfall. It is the only marked trail in the area, from kilometre 2 onward, on dirt paths and steps that turn slippery when wet.
- Are the paths marked?
- Only at Țipova. Saharna, Parcani and Văratic have no signposting at all and the path is read as you go, so download the map before you set out.
- Can you go with children?
- The Țipova viewpoint and the dry waterfall are short and easy, fine with children. The gorge trails at Țipova and Saharna have slippery steps and wet sections, so there it depends on age and weather.
- When is the best time?
- Spring, and the days after heavy rain, when the waterfalls run fullest. Some shrink badly in summer, and in winter the steps ice over.