The Iron Gates, located on the border between Romania and Serbia, is one of Europe’s most breathtaking natural wonders. This expansive gorge carved by the Danube River is not only rich in natural beauty but also steeped in history and cultural significance.
The Iron Gates Gorge and the Iron Gates Natural Park
Entering Romania from the southwest, the Danube carves through the Carpathian Mountains, creating cliffs and narrow passageways of breathtaking beauty. This 134-kilometer gorge, known as The Iron Gates, is the longest in Europe and one of the most impressive.
The Iron Gates Gorge is a unique natural wonder. Nowhere in the world you’ll see a river crossing the mountains from one plain to another plain, the way the Danube split the hills on its way from the Pannonian Plain to the Romanian Plain. As you cruise through the gorge, you’ll witness dramatic views, hidden caves, and steep limestone walls over the river. You can also enjoy the landscape by driving along the Danube or hiking in the park.
The Danube serves as a natural border between Romania and Serbia, with the Romanian side on the left and the Serbian side on the right. The Romanian section is a protected area called Iron Gates National Park while the Serbian side is home to Đerdap National Park, also a protected area.
Iron Gates National Park covers a vast region of over 115,000 hectares, stretching across the counties of Mehedinți and Caraș-Severin. This region is a paradise for nature lovers, offering diverse flora and fauna, including several rare and endangered species.
In Romanian, the place is called Portile de Fier (The Iron Gates). The locals often refer to it as Clisura Dunării or Defileul Dunării (The Danube Gorge). The last one is inaccurate, as the Iron Gates is not the only gorge along the river. Two hydroelectric power plants, Iron Gates I and II, operate on the Danube.
- Also read: Things to do in Orșova and around
Touristic attractions along the Danube’s Iron Gates
The Cauldrons of the Danube
The most spectacular part of the park is the Danube Cauldrons, also called the Boilers (Cazanele Dunării in Romanian). The Cauldrons are two sections of the Danube Gorge: the Big Cauldrons (Cazanele Mari) and the Small Cauldrons (Cazanele Mici). In the Big Cauldrons, the mountains are higher, and the Danube is deeper.
Before the construction of the Iron Gates hydroelectric dam, the river here appeared to “boil” due to its rapid flow through narrow, rocky channels. This section lies between steep cliffs, where the river is squeezed into a narrow passage, causing strong whirlpools. However, since the dam’s completion in the early 1970s, this “boiling” effect has diminished. The dam’s creation transformed the once-rapid river into a calmer, wider reservoir, significantly altering the water’s flow through this stretch of the Danube.
Can be reached through: boat trip, car trip on DN 57, hiking on the Big Cauldrons & Small Cauldrons Trails.
Tabula Traiana
The Tabula Traiana is an ancient Roman memorial plaque on the Serbian side of the Iron Gates Gorge. It was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Trajan to commemorate the construction of a military road during his successful campaign against Dacia in the early 2nd century. The marble plaque, inscribed in Latin, details Trajan’s achievements and marks a significant Roman engineering feat in a difficult natural landscape.
The plaque measures about 4 meters wide and 1.75 meters tall and features text and decorative elements. When water levels rose after the construction of the Iron Gates dam in the 1960s, the plaque was raised 30 cm higher on the cliff to avoid getting submerged.
Can be reached through: boat trip.
The Decebalus Rex rock sculpture
The Decebalus Rex rock sculpture is a colossal monument of the Dacian king Decebalus (Decebal in Romanian), located on the Romanian side of the Iron Gates Gorge.
Construction began in 1994 and stopped in 2004 without being fully completed. Despite this, the statue stands at an impressive 55 meters (180 feet) tall, making it the biggest rock-carved sculpture in Europe.
Can be reached through: boat trip, car trip on DN 57.
Mraconia Monastery
Mraconia is a Christian Orthodox monastery built in 2000 over the foundations of a previous monastery with the same name, originally constructed in 1523. The older monastery sank when the Iron Gates Dam was built, and its ruins can still be seen when water levels are very low.
Can be reached through: boat trip, car trip on DN 57.
Veterani Cave
Veterani Cave (Peștera Veterani in Romanian) is a natural limestone cave on the Romanian side of the Danube River, in the Big Cauldrons area. The cavern sits about 70 meters above the water and spans 173 meters in length with a width of 40 meters.
Veterani is the first charted cave in Romania and has a rich history. Primitive man used it for shelter over four millennia ago. It’s assumed that the Dacians used the cave as a sanctuary, bringing animal sacrifices to the god Zalmoxis. Throughout history, Roman, Turkish, and Austrian troops also took refuge in this cave during military campaigns.
Can be reached through: boat trip.
Ponicova Cave
Ponicova Cave (Peștera Ponicova) is the largest natural limestone cave on the Danube Gorge, located on the Romanian side of the river under the Ciucaru Mare massif. It consists of three galleries on different levels, with a total length of 1,660 meters (about 1 mile).
There are two entrances to the cave, about 400 meters apart. One entrance is accessible from the DN 57 road, while the other can be seen during a boat trip. The cave features stunning formations of stalactites, stalagmites, and other mineral deposits, and is home to bats.
The cave is wild, and no landscaping has been done, so it’s recommended to visit with a guide. Due to the risk of flooding, the cave is not accessible during periods of heavy rain.
Can be reached through: boat trip, car trip on DN 57.
Tri-Kule Fortress (alternate Trikule, Tricule)
Tricule was a medieval fortress located on the Romanian side of the Danube. When the Iron Gates Dam was built, raising water levels by 30 cm, most of the fortress was submerged. Today, only two towers remain visible above the river.
Can be reached through: boat trip.
Gaura cu Muscă Cave
Gaura cu Muscă Cave is in the Iron Gates Natural Park. The cave has a length of 254 meters and a depth of over 8 meters. It was inhabited since the Iron Age and later fortified during medieval times.
Its main entrance is easily accessible from the DN 57 road. Also has a “window” that offers a stunning view over the Danube.
Can be reached through: car trip on DN 57.
Golubac Fortress
Golubac Fortress (Serbian: Golubački grad) is a medieval citadel situated on the southern bank of the Danube River in Serbia, about 4 km downstream from the town of Golubac.
The fortress dates back to the 14th century and, throughout its history, served as a critical defensive stronghold, controlling river traffic and acting as a military outpost for various powers. Its walls are between 2 to 3 meters (6.5 to 9.8 feet) thick, providing significant defensive capabilities.
Can be reached through: boat trip, car trip to Serbia.
Baba Caia
Baba Caia Rock is a prominent geological and cultural landmark located in the Danube River near the village of Coronini in Romania. The rock is a limestone formation that rises about 7 meters above the normal water level of the Danube.
Can be reached through: boat trip.
Ostrov Island
Ostrov Island (Ostrovul Moldova Veche) lies in the Danube, near the town of Moldova Veche, Romania. The island has 345 hectares (or 3.45 km²) and a length of approximately 6 kilometres.
It features sandy and stony soil, with patches of forest primarily consisting of white willow (Salix alba), and has a wetland ecosystem. The island hosts diverse wildlife, including a colony of approximately 100 wild horses that live freely on the island.
Can be reached through: boat trip.
Ladislau Fortress
Ladislau Fortress, also known as the Coronini Fortress, is a medieval stronghold located in Coronini village, Romania, across the Danube from Golubac Fortress.
Positioned on a hill, the fortress once served as a strategic military outpost controlling river traffic and protecting from invasions. Its architecture includes typical medieval features like defensive walls and towers, though much of the structure is now in ruins.
Can be reached through: car trip on DN 57.
Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Monastery
Saint Sava Monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery established in Baziaș, Romania, to serve the spiritual needs of the local Serbian community.
Can be reached through: car trip on DN 57.
How to visit the Iron Gates by water
Numerous boat tour operators along the Danube offer trips through the Iron Gates. These tours vary in boat type and length. While many focus on the immediate surroundings, some offer full tours through the entire Danube gorge, from Orșova to Baziaș. They stop at the main attractions to allow you to take photos from the boat.
Orsova – Ponicova Cave – and back is the standard tour from Orsova town’s cliff or the nearby villages Eselnita and Dubova. This route covers around 20 km and includes Tabula Traiana, The Decebalus Rex rock sculpture, the Big and Small Boilers, Mraconia Monastery, Veterani and Ponicova Caves. A trip like this can take 1,5 – 2 hours, depending on how long you spend at each objective.
If you’d like to extend the trip with a visit to Veterani Cave or travel further to Ostrov Island, arrange this in advance with a boat operator. Many operators, especially in Orșova, are flexible and happy to customize the experience for an additional fee.
Orșova is the best place to find boat tours, as it’s close to the main attractions and the largest settlement within the Iron Gates Natural Park, offering the most tour options.
Also read: How to get to Orșova, Iron Gates Natural Park, Romania
Moldova Noua – Gaura cu Musca Cave – and back is the standard tour you can take from Moldova Noua town and Coronini village. This one is also around 20 km and takes roughly 2 hours. The trip includes Ostrov Island, Baba Caia Rock, Laszo Castle, Golubac Fortress, and Gaura cu Musca Cave.
Boat trips costs
It’s hard to provide a fixed price because many independent operators offer various tours.
A standard tour from Orșova in 2024 costs around 70 lei per person (approximately 15 euros).
If you prefer to rent a boat for your group for the standard tour, expect to pay around 400–500 lei (80–100 euros), depending on the boat size.
For a longer cruise from Orșova to Moldova Nouă, boat rentals may cost around 2000–2500 lei (400–500 euros).
How to prepare for a boat trip
For a boat trip on the Danube through the Iron Gates, wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Even if it’s summer, bring a coat or hoodie, as it can get windy on the boat. If your ears are sensitive to drafts, consider bringing something to cover them. Sunglasses are also essential on sunny days, as you’ll be looking up often to admire the views.
While many operators accept card payments, it’s a good idea to carry some cash just in case.
Avoid bringing large luggage on the boat. If you have nowhere to store it, talk to the tour operator—they’ll likely help you find a solution, and you may be able to leave it on the pontoon.
Keep your phone on airplane mode or at least turn off your data while on the boat, as you’ll be near the Serbian border and may accidentally connect to Serbian mobile networks.
Hiking in the Iron Gates Natural Park
The Iron Gates Natural Park (Parcul Natural Porțile de Fier) offers an extraordinary mix of natural beauty, history, and biodiversity.
For hiking enthusiasts, the park is an ideal destination, with 15 trails that showcase its diverse landscapes, from cliffs and serene forests to ancient ruins and cultural landmarks.
Things to know before you start
All the trails are well-marked and classified as medium difficulty, but the longer ones require good physical fitness.
The park is home to wildlife, including vipers, wolves, and bears. It’s best to start your hike early in the morning to avoid being in the park after dark, and always stick to the marked trails.
Be cautious of vipers, especially during March and April. Avoid walking through tall grass and keep your legs covered for protection.
Carry enough water, as there are no natural springs in the area.
For a more informative experience, consider joining an organized hiking tour with an expert guide to learn about the local wildlife and history.
Iron Gates Natural Park Trails
- Trescovăț Trail
- Length & Duration: 10 km – 6 hours
- Highlights: Banat black pine, volcanic plug of Trescovăț
- Svinița-Tricule Trail
- Length & Duration: 9 km – 6 hours
- Highlights: ruins of the medieval Trikule fortress
- Cioaca Cremeneasca-Rudina Trail
- Length & Duration: 8 km – 4 hours
- Highlights: Rudina plateau, an excellent viewpoint of both Romanian and Serbian landscapes
- Valea Liubotina-Rudina Trail
- Length & Duration: 12 km – 6 hours
- Highlights: Rudina plateau, view of the Danube and surrounding hills (Codicea Mică and Codicea Mare)
- The Big Cauldrons Trail
- Length & Duration: 5 km – 2 hours
- Highlights: Cazane yellow tulip that only grows here and flowers in April, rocky walls of Ciucaru Mare.
- The Small Cauldrons Trail
- Length & Duration: 2 km – 1 hour
- Highlights: viewpoints of the Big Cauldrons and Veliki Strbac (Serbian side of the Danube)
- Alion Trail
- Length & Duration: 4.5 km – 2h 30min
- Highlights: viewpoints of the Danube, Iron Gates I Hydroelectric Plant, and Kladovo (Serbia)
- Țarovăț Trail
- Length & Duration: 9.2 km – 5 hours
- Highlights: eco-tourism combining recreation with environmental and historical education
- Racovat – Boldovin Trail
- Length & Duration: 11 km – 5 hours
- Highlights: Bahna Paleontological Reserve, 16-million-year-old fossil fauna, Sarmatian Sea bed fossils
- Valea Vodiței – Dealul Duhovnei Trail
- Length & Duration: 14.5 km – 5 hours
- Highlights: geological formations from hundreds of millions of years ago, breathtaking views of the Bahna-Orșova Depression
- The Big Cauldrons Trail 2
- Length & Duration: 2 km – 2 hours
- Highlights: viewpoints of Cazanele Mari and Veliki Strbac, The Big Cauldrons plateau
- Balta Nera – Ostrov Moldova Veche Trail
- Length & Duration: 34 km – 8-10 hours by bike
- Highlights: biking parallel to the Danube with scenic views
- Valea Morilor de Apă Trail
- Length & Duration: 22 km – 6 hours by bike
- Highlights: watermills along the Camenița stream
- Crucea Sf. Petru Trail
- Length & Duration: 6.6 km – 3 hours
- Highlights: wide view of the Danube, Iron Gates I Dam, panoramic view of the hydroelectric system
- Dubova – Small Cauldrons Trail
- Length & Duration: 9 km – 5 hours
- Highlights: viewpoints of the Danube and Serbian side of the river
Road trip along the Iron Gates
If I had to choose between exploring the gorge by boat or by car, I’d pick a cruise any day. Still, I must admit the landscapes from the road are nearly as breathtaking.
The DN57 road, which runs along the left bank of the Danube, is well-maintained and easy to drive, with minimal traffic. You can start your journey near the town of Orșova, in Mehedinți County, and follow the road to Baziaș village, in Caraș-Severin County—or travel in the opposite direction if you’re coming from the western part of the country. The Orșova to Baziaș trip covers 130 km and takes 2 to 2,5 hours without stops.
This route offers several opportunities to pause, whether for taking photos, enjoying a picnic or simply marvelling at the panoramic views of the dramatic cliffs plunging into the Danube.
From the road, you can see The Big and Small Cauldrons, the Decebalus statue, Mraconia Monastery, Gaura cu Muscă Cave entry, Golubac fortress on the Serbian shore, Baba Caia Rock, Ostrov Island. All of these landmarks are located between Orșova and Moldova Veche, which is the most scenic section of the road.
Best time to visit the Iron Gates
For hiking in Iron Gates Park: late spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October).
The weather is mild and pleasant, making it ideal for long hikes through the natural park. The lush greenery in spring and the gorgeous fall colours in autumn enhance the scenic beauty of the trails. Temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C, perfect for outdoor exploration without the discomfort of extreme heat or cold.
The Iron Gates Gorge and Iron Gates Natural Park are open to visitors year-round, but to make the most of your trip, it’s best to avoid winter and opt for a warmer season. While summer is the peak tourist season, visiting in April, May, September, or October can provide a more peaceful experience with fewer crowds and better access to nature.
Read more: Best time to visit Romania: short and long answer + extra details
For cruises on the Danube: late spring to early autumn (April- June, September – October).
The best time to enjoy the river cruises on the Danube is when the weather is warm but not too hot, allowing for comfortable sightseeing from the boat. These months provide the best visibility and picturesque views of the cliffs and historical landmarks along the river.
For watersports: Summer (June to August).
For watersports like kayaking, canoeing, and wakeboarding, summer is the optimal season. The temperatures often reach 25°C to 30°C, making the outdoor activities refreshing.
For wildlife watching: spring and autumn.
The transitional seasons are perfect for birdwatching and observing the diverse wildlife of the Iron Gates Natural Park, especially as animals are more active during these milder months.
For cultural and historical exploration: year-round.
The area is rich in history, with archaeological sites, medieval fortresses, and museums like the Iron Gates Museum. You can explore these attractions anytime, but pairing them with a hike or cruise in spring or autumn enhances the experience.
