The pearl of mountain tourism on the Transalpina
Located at an altitude of 1600 metres, on the southern slopes of the Parâng Mountains, Rânca Resort is one of the most popular mountain destinations in Romania. Known in particular as a strategic point on the Transalpina road, the resort offers a huge tourist potential, being an attractive holiday destination in all seasons. With its breathtaking mountain scenery and clean air, Rânca has become in recent years the centre of tourism in Gorj county, located just 18 km from Novaci.
Rânca is famous for its extended ski season, which often starts in November and doesn't finish until May. The resort offers adrenaline lovers several ski slopes equipped with ski-lifts and night-lifts, suitable for all levels of experience.
The slope on Mount Cornesu is the most popular, offering excellent conditions for skiing and snowboarding. There's also a special toboggan run and an ice rink, making the resort ideal for families with children and youngsters keen to have fun in the snow.
In summer, Rânca transforms into a hiking and motor sports paradise. Its location on Romania's highest road, the Transalpina, allows holidaymakers to explore the mountain ridges without strenuous physical effort. Numerous marked trails start from here, leading to spectacular sights such as Păpușa Peak or Gâlcescu Lake.
The natural setting offers a variety of possibilities for mountain bikers, off-road, enduro or even paragliding, as the air currents in this area are particularly favourable for this extreme sport.
The resort's name is closely linked to the tradition of sheep-farming, specific to the Novaci area. Local legends say that „Rânca” comes from an old term for an area rich in pastures, where shepherds brought their flocks to graze in summer. It is said that this was the place of the biggest nedei, country celebrations where alliances were made and the hard but free life of the mountain people was celebrated.
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