Malaia among mountain lakes, waterfalls and culture

Malaia is situated on the Lotru River in the northern mountainous region of Vâlcea County and is surrounded by the Lotru and Căpățânii Mountains. Those who choose a holiday apartment in Malaia will find a place where waterscapes, mountain trails, nature and culture come together.

Mountain landscape between river, reservoirs and Transalpina

Malaia has at least three reservoirs. Lacul Brădișor covers 230 hectares and is more than 40 metres deep. Fishing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming are possible at the lake. The Brădișor Dam is a 62-metre-high and 220-metre-long concrete arch dam. The natural and scenic landscape also includes the Brădișor fishery complex with breeding facilities for lostriță, a fish species threatened with extinction in Romania and regarded as a natural monument.

The Malaia Reservoir lies at an altitude of 480 metres, covers 46 hectares and is 22 metres deep. It is used by the Malaia hydroelectric power plant, which began operating in 1978 with an installed capacity of 18 MW. Malaia also lies at the foot of the Fratoșteanu Mountains, which are crossed by the Transalpina. This creates a remarkable combination of mountain scenery, reservoirs and technical history.

The Muntinu nature reserve adds another distinctive landscape to the natural area. It lies on the steep slope of the glacial cirque in the upper reaches of the Muntinu Valley, east of Mount Cărbunele, and protects the plants growing there. The area includes a glacial valley and two lakes in the upper reaches of the valley; its character is botanical and scenic.

Waterfalls and trails for different hiking days

The access road to Cascada Scoruș leaves the DN7A in Malaia approximately level with the middle of the lake, before the first bridge, and leads onto a forest road. The path through the gorge of the Bucureasa Valley follows markings consisting of two white and red circles. It is not recommended for children or inexperienced hikers. From Cascada Scoruș, a trail marked with a blue triangle also leads over the old shepherd’s hut at Cocora and past Crucea Brătienilor into the Căpățânii Mountains.

Fântâna Brătienilor can be reached from Valea Satului road via a blue-marked trail after approximately 15 to 20 minutes on foot through the forest. Trout fishing is available at Lacul Petrimanu. Hiking trails lead from the lake towards Cheile Latoriței, which lie between the Latoriței and Căpățânii Mountains. The paved road to Lacul Petrimanu begins in the area of Ciungetu. Directly behind the Petrimanu Dam, at an altitude of 1,620 metres, a forest road branches off towards Curmătura Oltețului.

Cheile Latoriței extend for 25 kilometres through a wild landscape of rocks, moss and numerous waterfalls. Several striking waterfalls complement the area: Cascada Moara Dracilor is a 20- to 25-metre-high waterfall with two drops near Iezerul Latoriței. The route there is difficult and is not recommended for beginners without a guide or good maps. Cascada Apa Spânzurată reaches a height of 35 metres and lies on the Turcinu Mare stream on the right slope of the Latorița Valley.

Culture and history in Malaia and Ciungetu

Crucea Brătienilor was erected by Vintilă and Lia Brătianu in memory of their parents and has been included on Romania’s list of historic monuments. The Malaia monastery complex includes a large church and a two-storey Arhondaric with 25 cells. The foundation stone for the new church of the Sfânta Mănăstire Înălţarea Sfintei Cruci women’s monastery in Malaia was laid on 12 June 2012.

In Ciunget, the wooden church “Sfinţii Împăraţi Constantin şi Elena” was built in 1861. Peștera Laptelui (Peștera cu Lapte) is located in the village of Ciungetu in the municipality of Malaia, on the right slope of the Rudăreasa, and is particularly interesting from a palaeontological and historical perspective.

The World Flutes Museum in Săliștea, Malaia, is open to visitors. It offers guided tours and workshops on world cultures and world music and displays almost 100 exhibits. These include flutes from Vaideeni and Țara Loviștei, as well as wind instruments and other instruments from all continents. DexiWorld Park includes the shady and cool Valea Dinozaurilor area along a stream fed by a small waterfall.

More places for planning your trip

If you would like to include other places in addition to Malaia, you can also consider Băile Olăneşti, Ciungetu, Perişani, Horezu, Câinenii Mici, Baile Govora, Banesti and Obârşia Lotrului.

For the higher-level travel overview: Vâlcea.