The Macin Mountains are the oldest mountains in Romania and some of the first mountains formed on the continent, as result of the Hercinian orogenesis.

The altitude of these mountains varies between 7 and 467m (Tutuiatu Summit).

The disintegration process of rocks is still active; there are numerous witnesses of erosion with ruin like aspect, which confer the landscape a great variety of forms.

Climate in the MMNP is temperate-continental with influences of aridity, determined by the air flow circulation in east. The climate is characterized by very hot and dry summers, long and dry autumns and cold winters with little snow.

Due to the dry climate, the water flows are reduced in quantity, most of them having a seasonal character. Temporary waterflows are forming on the rocky valleys, during the rainy seasons, especially in spring.

The great variety of flora and vegetation in Macin Mountains is represented by more than 1.770 plant species that make approximately 50% of Romania’s flora, growing on 1% of the country territory. Of these species, 72 are protected as they are rare or vulnerable and 27 species are endemic for the region.

Macin Mountains fauna, less studied, is characterized by a great diversity and a special importance, due to the presence of some rare species protected through international regulations. 

Studies and research carried out over the years have identified:

• insects: 1436 species;
• amphibians: 7 species;
• reptiles: 11 species;
• birds: 181 species;
• mammals: 47 species.