The Nucșoara Commune Town Hall and Foundation Conservation Carpathia today launched the themed trail ‘The Architects of Nature’. This new route adds a unique hiking experience to the tourism map of the Făgăraș Mountains and aims to showcase Nucșoara’s natural heritage, biodiversity, landscapes, and local culture. The trail is easy in difficulty, making it suitable for families with children, and passes through wooded areas, lakes, and ancient beech trees that give the cultural and natural landscape of Nucșoara its distinctive character.

The themed trail combines hiking with nature interpretation and highlights three ‘architects’ of nature: the European bison, reintroduced in the Nucșoara area; the beaver, known for the way it transforms its habitat; and humans, who shape the landscape. The panels along the trail explain how these three ‘architects’ have historically contributed to shaping the mountain landscape through activities such as building small river dams or traditional practices including grazing, haymaking, and firewood collection. The texts are written in an accessible and engaging manner, turning the hike into an interesting and captivating experience for visitors.

The new trail invites visitors to explore Nucșoara and its nearby nature differently from the usual climb to Moldoveanu Peak. It complements the experiences already developed by Nucșoara through the ‘Forest of Immortal Stories’ project – arboricupovesti.ro – an initiative of Nucșoara Town Hall and Foundation Conservation Carpathia, which highlights 2,544 ancient beech trees in the area, available for adoption.

“I believe Nucșoara has much to show, and I confidently say we have one of the most spectacular communes thanks to our nature, history, and people,” said Ion Cojocaru, Mayor of Nucșoara Commune. “This new trail is an invitation to discover our area, spend time outdoors, and explore the places that make it so special. Come for the Architects of Nature, stay for the beeches, and then head up Moldoveanu Peak.”

Christoph Promberger, Executive Director of Foundation Conservation Carpathia, also emphasised the importance of the project: “Through initiatives like this, we take an important step towards strengthening the relationship between people and nature and contribute to the sustainable use of natural resources by protecting them. European bison and beavers are clear examples of how species can reshape entire ecosystems for the better, and this trail connects visitors and the local community with the natural processes that give life to the Făgăraș Mountains.”

An Experience Accessible to Everyone

The ‘Architects of Nature’ trail is 3.7 kilometres long, takes approximately 2–3 hours to complete, and has an ‘easy’ difficulty level, making it suitable for families, teenagers, and adults of all ages. Information panels along the trail provide accessible explanations and attractive illustrations, transforming the hike into an interactive lesson in nature. Additionally, the trail includes three resting areas, located in clearings and a panoramic spot, allowing hikers to admire the landscapes and take breaks. These spaces can also be used by school groups for outdoor lessons.

Visitors can follow the trail from the Nucșoara Town Hall area, turn right at the first intersection, and follow the road towards Slatina village. The entrance is marked with a panel, and visitors can navigate using signposts, installations, and trail markers. Those arriving by car can park at the designated lot at the start point (GPS coordinates provided).

Both this trail and the other routes through the ancient beech areas, created as part of the Forest of Immortal Stories, can be explored online directly in a web browser:
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/ac88a40a018c4113b53bf8b16972390b

GPS tracks are available for download at: https://arboricupovesti.ro/viziteaza-nuscoara

The ‘Architects of Nature’ trail was developed under the LIFE Carpathia project (Creating a Wild Nature Area in the Southern Carpathians, Romania, LIFE18 NAT/RO/001082), in collaboration with the Romanian Ecotourism Association. The LIFE project aimed to restore degraded habitats, protect biodiversity, and develop initiatives that benefit local communities.

Between 2019 and 2024, the project was implemented by Foundation Conservation Carpathia in partnership with the Carpathia Forest Association, the Piatra Craiului Făgăraș Conservation Hunting Association, SC Carpathia Agro & Finance SRL, Conservation Capital Consulting Ltd., the Argeș County Gendarmerie Inspectorate – Basarab I, and ProPark – Foundation for Protected Areas. Financial support came from the European Commission through the LIFE Nature programme and from the Arcadia Foundation via the Endangered Landscapes Programme.