Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
The 8 km long Bicaz gorge lies in the eastern Carpathians. The dominant vegetation is
Abies forest with traditionally grazed alpine grassland also present. Lake Ro°u is naturally dammed by landslide debris and occupies 12.6 ha. The area is crossed by a major highway; human activities include rock-climbing.
This is an important site for species of upland conifer forests and open alpine habitats. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria:
Falco naumanni (breeding).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main threat is from the development of tourism and its associated infrastructure. Stone extraction is a threat in peripheral areas. A management plan exists for the site.
National High
International None2,128 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Cheile Bicazului-Lacu Ro°u, 2,128 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Bicaz gorge and Hăşmaş Mountains (Romania). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/bicaz-gorge-and-hăşmaş-mountains-iba-romania on 08/01/2025.
