Perșani Mountains

Perșani Mountains belong to the Eastern Carpathians and cover an area of one tousand square kilometers. They are separated from Făgăraș and Piatra Craiului Mountains by the Șinca and Bârsa Valleys. In the north, they are prolonged indiscernibly into Harghita Mountains. Its peaks reach heights of medium size, around 800-1000 m. Măgura Codlei peak (1292 m) and Vârful Ceții (1104) are the highest summits.

Geographically, they are divided in three major groups.

The Southern Perșani, are located between the Șinca and Bârsa valleys on the south, and Vlădeni Depression on the north. The highest summits in the Southern Perșani are Hoapecu (980 m), Ciuta (975 m), Cetățuiei (975 m), Frăsinet (935 m), and Stimbavului (922 m).

The Central Perșani represents the true grandeur of these mountains. They are bordered on the south by Vlădeni Depression and on the north by the valley of Olt river. Its eastern sector displays higher summits (Cetății-1104 m, Horezu- 1055 m, Coasta Țiganului -1034 m) and thicker woods, while on the western sector, which has a lower altitude, one encounters a more fragmented scenery.

The Northern Perșani (named also Dugăului Mountains, after the main summit) have lower altitudes. Here one finds the summits Părăul Fântânii (847 m), Chingii (815 m), Tipia Racoșului (820 m), Ascuns (988 m), Merca (1002 m), and Dugău (1011 m).

The basaltic columns represent one of the most remarkable attractions of these mountains. Those from Racoș, covering a much broader area (1,05 ha) in the vicinity of the railway station, on the right bank of Olt river, are the result of a quarry opened only in the twentieth century. The western part is a protected area as natural monument. The polyhedral shapes can reach heights of twelve meters. The more amorphous basaltic deposits from Hoghiz are currently quarried.

The surroundings of Racoș are the richest in geological vestiges, with small animals petrified in the ancient layers. Carhaga fossiliferous area , measuring cca 1,60 ha, is located in Racoș village, between the Carhaga and Chioveș brooks. Geological sediments of grey and pinkish colours, with limestone streaks have captured within them a variety of cephalopods. The exceptional shapes and colors of the stones are blending with the colors of the lake.

Although the extension of mud volcanoes from Homorod does not belong to the mountains, they appeared in the geological past of the area. Sources of salted water were recorded at Rupea (some of them were in olden times collected), Homorod (presenting a sulphurous concentration), Mercheașa, and with a higher concentration at the wells from Dacia and Racoșu de Sus. Some sparkling water wells with low discharge exist on the territory of Homorod.

The limestone areas in the north-west of Perșani Mountains are covered with downy oak, manna, cornel tree, wild rose, white violet, blueweed, etc. There grow several protected plants as well (Dianthus spiculifolius, the azure flowers of liverleaf, the Carpathian bellflower, and a rare species of blackberry bush). The good quality of pastures and the adequate climate have provided for a long time very good conditions for the horse stud (Nonius race) from Homorod, which was specialized in the production of breeding stallions for the army. The berries and mushrooms are frequently found.

Text and photo source: http://www.rupeaturistica.ro/; http://romaniasalbatica.ro/