The Piatra Craiului Massif (German Konigstein), often the Piatra Craiului Mountains , or Piatra Craiului or even Crai , is a limestone mountain range located to the southwest of the Eastern Carpathians , Piatra Craiului National Park easily makes it to the top of the most beautiful protected areas from the Carpathians. Only a few kilometers away from Brasov and almost three hours from Bucharest, this this hiking destination is the most loved in Romania.
This Unique national park extends on almost 9,900 hectares and is protected since 1938. Researchers have discovered that is it a true biological treasure: 35 world unique species of invertebrates and 91 completely new species, 216 species of butterflies, more than 100 bird species and over 40% of the mammal species from Romania. The large carnivores and the gracious chamois are top of the list!
From the petrographic point of view , the Piatra Craiului Massif is geologically and geomorphologically distinct from the surrounding mountain ranges composed almost exclusively of crystalline rocks , the “Crai”, as it is often loosened, is a sharp and abrupt “blade” of sedimentary rocks, in particular calcareous rocks of Jurassic age.
The maximum altitude of Craiului Stone is reached at the peak of La Om Peak , also known as Piscul Baciului , with 2,238 m . The massif has numerous fishes over 2,000 meters altitude starting by Padina Popii Peak 2,025 m, Sharp Peak 2,150 m, Țimbalul Mare Peak 2,177 m, Țimbale Peak 2,170 m, Sbirii Peak 2,220 m, Peak of the Bypassed Boilers 2,202 m.