Mark: Blue stripe
Length: 25 km
Route: Nifon – Cocoș Monastery – Niculițel – Sarica hill
Camping place: Călugărița Valley
The trail begins in the northern part of the village of Nifon, following a stone road for 7 km to Cocoș Monastery. From Cocoș Monastery, turn right onto DJ229C towards the village of Niculițel. The trail crosses characteristic habitats of mesothermal and Balkan forests, vineyards of the Sarica Niculițel wine-growing region, and agricultural land. From the village of Niculițel, the route follows the ridge of Sarica Hill eastward. The trail traverses characteristic forest-steppe habitats with downy oak, steppic grasslands, and rocky outcrops harbouring endemic, rare or European-level vulnerable species. The trail runs from west to east through the Dealul Sarica nature reserve, and from the ridge one can admire a panoramic view of the Danube and Saon Monastery.
From the floral spectrum, well-represented species include: Grass Pink (Dianthus nardiformis), Yarrow (Achillea clypeolata), Silver Yarrow (Achillea coarctata), Dwarf Iris (Iris pumila), Steppe Iris (Iris suaveolens), Snowdrop (Galanthus plicatus), Crocus (Crocus chrysanthus), Striped Crocus (Crocus variegatus), Peony (Paeonia peregrina), Steppe Peony (Paeonia tenuifolia), and Fritillary (Fritillaria orientalis).
From the fauna, visitors may frequently encounter species such as the Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca), the European Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis), the Balkan Wall Lizard (Podarcis taurica), or overhead the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina).
