Excursion Caraorman Forest, Mahmudia, Tulcea

Caraorman Forest

In the Caraorman Forest, the landscape is similar to that of the Letea Forest, with many wild horses roaming freely in the area. The Caraorman forest is full of surprises and legends. For example, in this forest there are the most centuries-old oaks, including one over 500 years old, which was included in the UNESCO heritage. The tree also has a legend: a young Cossack fell in love with a Romanian woman and stole her. Then he fought with those who came after the girl, but he lost. His head was cut off and it is said that the oak grew from his blood. Caraorman means Black Forest in Turkish. The Caraorman Forest is one of the northernmost subtropical forests in Europe (along with the Letea Forest).

Here you will see sand dunes, oaks, alders, ash trees and lianas hanging among the branches that form a path that is difficult to cross. In the middle of the forest, there is the "Stejarul Ingenuncheat", one of the oldest oaks in the Danube Delta, it is 30 m high, 4 m in circumference and 400 years old.

Through the Caraorman canal, you reach the complex formed by Lakes Puiu, Puiulet, Rosu and Rosulet.

Lake Puiulet is a medium-sized lake, quite deep (approximately 2 m), with sediments that constantly circulate on its surface, often blocking the entrances to the canals. Being very close to Caraorman, it is preferred by the locals who spread their fishing nets, but they always keep an eye on the fishermen, as they can pass over their tools at any time, destroying them. For sports fishermen, the lake is interesting for the pike and perch that live in its waters. It is one of the most popular fishing spots, because for about 5-6 years, pike have been constantly caught here.

Lake Erenciuc is one of the most beautiful and interesting lakes of the Delta. A splendid landscape. A lake with white and yellow water lilies that enchant you and birds that you can admire in the silence of the delta. Having the appearance of a particularly wide channel, the lake is oriented N-S, having in the northern part - the "tail of the lake" - a pronounced curvature towards the W. The shores of the lake are completely overgrown, mooring being impossible. Although it is a deep lake, presenting sections where the water depth exceeds 3 m towards the North, the water depth can drop dramatically, to values ​​of 100 cm and even less. Since the lake is far from any locality that represents an "insertion" point in the Delta for tourists, we consider the fact that Lake Erenciuc is a particularly isolated lake.