g0.md · Hiking trails
The Prut reefs (Toltre)
Limestone reefs millions of years old along the Prut · cliffs, caves and the unique landscape of the Hundred Hillocks. Moderate trails, with rocky climbs and wide views.
The trails at a glance
| Trail | Difficulty | Distance | Marked | Water | From Chișinău |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butești Cave | moderate | · | no | no | 156 min |
| Stâncile Butești · Toltrele Prutului | moderate | · | no | no | 180 min |
| Fetești Natural Reserve · Toltrele Prutului | moderate | · | no | yes | 183 min |
| Suta de Movile | easy | · | no | no | 175 min |
The Butești reefs
The Butești cliffs are a coral reef millions of years old, left behind by the sea that once covered the area. The path climbs between limestone walls to the cave at the top, over stony ground and without markings. The view over the Camenca valley repays the short climb.
O oprire la stâncile de la Butești, în aceeași zi cu Zimbrăria și Suta de Movile
A trail to the limestone reefs (Prut toltres) and the Butești cave; rocky climbs.
Stâncile de calcar de deasupra Prutului, în șirul Toltrelor
The Butești limestone reefs, part of the Prut toltres; rocky paths.
Fetești and the Hundred Hillocks
Two landscapes unlike anything else in the country. At Fetești the reefs run right down to the Prut bank, with water along the way, while the Hundred Hillocks is a terrain of hundreds of small mounds, unique in Europe. The Hundred Hillocks is gentle walking; Fetești is rougher underfoot. Both are hard to find without a map.
Drumeție pe Toltrele Prutului, șirul de stânci calcaroase de deasupra satului Fetești
Limestone reefs on the Prut bank; paths along the water and rocks.
Urcarea pe movila cu cruce creștină în vârf, recomandată într-o recenzie pentru priveliște, și vederea spre România peste Prut de pe „Movila Țiganului”, dintr-o altă recenzie.
A walk among the Hundred Hillocks, a unique landscape of small mounds near the Prut.
Good to know
Every stop is in the far north, two and a half to three hours from Chișinău · plan a full day or a night in the area. Butești and the Hundred Hillocks are 5 km apart and work as one outing; Fetești is 45 km from them, so it is really a second day. None of the trails is marked. There is water on the trail only at Fetești. The ground is stony throughout, with short but steep pitches between the reefs.
Frequently asked
- What exactly are the toltre?
- Fossilised coral reefs, left behind by the sea that covered the area millions of years ago. Today they stand out of the landscape as limestone walls and crags, mostly along the Prut and its tributaries.
- Can you see them all in one day?
- Butești and the Hundred Hillocks, yes · they are 5 km apart. Fetești is 45 km from them and, on top of the three-hour drive out, makes the day too long. Better left for a second day.
- How long is the drive from Chișinău?
- Between two and a half and three hours, depending on the stop · Butești about 2h35, the Hundred Hillocks 2h55, Fetești a little over three hours.