Location and surroundings
Cioaca Mare belongs to the Almăj Mountains, a subrange of the Banat Mountains in the Western Romanian Carpathians. More broadly, it sits within the Carpathian Mountains of Europe. Administratively, it is in Eșelnița municipality, Mehedinți County, in Romania.
The mountain rises in a hilly Carpathian landscape of ridges and neighbouring summits rather than isolated alpine terrain. At 736 m, it is high enough for a cool, wooded upland setting, but it is not among the dominant summits of the range. Its position in the middle of the Almăj Mountains means it is surrounded by a dense cluster of peaks of similar character.
Neighbouring peaks
The closest named summits and passes around Cioaca Mare are:
- Predelul Mic — 830 m, 2.1 km southeast
- Predelu — 800 m, 2.5 km east
- Vârful Poiana Corbului — 639 m, 2.9 km southeast
- Vârful Perilor — 442 m, 3.0 km south
- Vârful Scorţari — 655 m, 3.2 km southwest
- Streniacu Mare — 602 m, 4.2 km southeast
- Vârful Prigoreana — 993 m, 4.6 km northwest
- Tâlva cu Ruj — 852 m, 4.9 km northwest
The nearest higher peak is Predelul Mic, which rises 94 m above Cioaca Mare and lies just over two kilometres away. That makes Cioaca Mare part of a close-knit ridge landscape where higher and lower summits alternate over short distances.
The view from the summit
From Cioaca Mare, the highest nearby peaks within 25 km are spread across the Almăj Mountains and adjacent ridges. To the northwest lies Svinecea at 1,224 m, about 8.5 km away. Also in that direction are Corhanul Rudăria at 1,130 m and Curmaturile Baniei at 1,069 m.
Other major summits in the wider view include Suscu at 1,192 m to the northeast, Domogledul Mare at 1,105 m to the northeast, and Cherbelez at 1,102 m to the north. These peaks show that Cioaca Mare sits in a mountainous corridor with higher ground in several directions rather than on a single isolated ridge.
The range
Cioaca Mare is part of the Almăj Mountains, which belong to the Banat Mountains within the Western Romanian Carpathians. The Almăj Mountains span Romania and Serbia, and they contain 122 named peaks. Their highest summit is Svinecea at 1,224 m, about 8 km northwest of Cioaca Mare.
Within that range, Cioaca Mare ranks 31st by elevation. That position places it well below the main high point, but still among the more elevated named summits of the Almăj Mountains. The range’s cross-border character and varied relief give the area a mixed pattern of ridges, valleys and wooded slopes.
Climate and weather
Climate estimates from NASA POWER for 2001–2020 suggest that the summit is warm in summer and cold in winter for this elevation. The warmest month is July, at about 20 °C on average, while January is the coldest month, at about -4 °C. Mean temperatures above freezing at the summit are typical from March through November.
The surrounding area receives about 800 mm of precipitation a year. June is the wettest month, at about 95 mm, and January is the driest, at about 50 mm. In practice, visitors should expect changeable mountain weather, summer thunderstorms, wet ground after rain, and winter snow or icy patches on exposed slopes and ridges.
Best time to visit
For a visit to Cioaca Mare, the most comfortable period is usually the part of the year when summit temperatures are above freezing and the ground is free of winter ice. Based on the climate estimates, that means the main season runs from March to November, with the most settled conditions often found in late spring, summer and early autumn.
If you want drier conditions, January is the driest month on average, but it is also the coldest and least convenient for ordinary hiking. In the warmer months, carry rain protection because the region can still get frequent showers and thunderstorms, especially in late spring and early summer.
Nature and wildlife
The slopes around Cioaca Mare are typical of the wooded Carpathian hills of western Romania, with mixed forest on lower and middle slopes and more open ground on ridges and clearings. At this elevation, the landscape is usually a mosaic of woodland, shrubs, grass and rocky or eroded sections rather than true alpine terrain.
Wildlife in this part of the Carpathians commonly includes deer, wild boar, foxes and a range of forest birds, with larger mammals present in the wider region. Hikers should also expect ticks in warmer months and slippery ground after rain. The main concern is to move carefully through ordinary mountain forest and ridge terrain.
Guides and organised ascents
For a peak like Cioaca Mare, a certified guide is usually not essential for experienced hikers in stable weather, but it can be useful if you want local route-finding help, winter travel support or a longer ridge outing in the Almăj Mountains. In Romania, the national mountain guide association is the Romanian Mountain Guides Association (Asociația Ghizilor Montani din România), and it is not an IFMGA/UIAGM member.
The national alpine club or federation is the Romanian Alpine Club. An established guiding company in Romania is Active Travel in Brașov. Guided outings in the country are typically arranged through guide associations, local tourism offices and mountain professionals, and the cost usually depends on trip length, group size, hut nights and equipment needs.
Safety and preparation
Cioaca Mare is not a high alpine summit, but it still calls for proper mountain footwear, weather awareness and enough water, especially in warm months. The terrain can be uneven, wooded and slippery after rain, and winter conditions may bring ice or snow on exposed sections. A map and downloaded offline navigation are sensible even on a short outing.
For mountain rescue in Romania, the emergency number is 112, which reaches Salvamont. The direct Salvamont line is 0SALVAMONT = 0725 826 668. Because mobile reception can vary in the hills, it is best to set out prepared for self-reliance until help arrives.
Interesting facts
Cioaca Mare is the 31st highest of 122 named peaks in the Almăj Mountains. Its nearest higher neighbour is Predelul Mic, only 2.1 km away to the southeast, while the range high point, Svinecea, lies about 8 km to the northwest.
At 736 m, Cioaca Mare is a moderate summit by Carpathian standards, but it sits in a range that crosses the border between Romania and Serbia. That border position gives the Almăj Mountains a regional character shaped by both sides of the frontier.
FAQ
How high is Cioaca Mare? It rises to 736 m.
Where is Cioaca Mare located? It is in Eșelnița municipality, Mehedinți County, in Romania, within the Almăj Mountains of the Western Romanian Carpathians.
What is the nearest higher peak? The nearest higher summit is Predelul Mic, at 830 m, about 2.1 km to the southeast.
What is the highest peak in the Almăj Mountains? The range high point is Svinecea, at 1,224 m, about 8 km northwest of Cioaca Mare.
Is there water on the way to Cioaca Mare? Plan to carry your own supply. For a day outing, 1.5-3 litres is a sensible range, depending on heat and route length.
Is mobile phone coverage reliable there? Coverage in the hills is often patchy and depends on the operator. On open ridges it may be better, while in valleys and behind ridges it can fail. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.
When is the best time to visit? The most practical months are usually from March to November, when summit temperatures are generally above freezing. Summer and early autumn are usually the easiest periods for hiking.