Muddy Volcanoes – Pâclele Mari
✨ Short description
Pâclele Mari is the best known and most visited mud volcano site in Buzău, even if it not as spectacular as the platou of Pacele Mici. Situated in the municipality of Scorțoasa (near Berca), this arid plateau of about 22 hectares hosts numerous active and inactive mud cones. Pâclele Mari is home to the largest mud volcano in Europe – a main “shield volcano” cone, surrounded by many smaller cones. The landscape often resembles the surface of the moon, due to the lack of vegetation and the gray crusts of dry mud covering the ground . The site has been a protected geological reserve since 1955 and is part of the UNESCO Geopark “Ținutul Buzăului”.
📜 History of the location
The phenomenon has attracted the attention of researchers since the 19th century – the mud volcanoes in the area were first observed in 1867 by the French geologist H. Cognand during oil explorations, later described by Grigore Cobălcescu (1883) and Grigore Ștefănescu (1890). “Paclele Mari” together with the “Paclele Mici”, have been declared a natural monument since 1924 due to their geological and landscape importance.
⭐ Importance and uniqueness of the location
Paclele Mari are a clay plateau, almost circular in shape, criss-crossed by dozens of small volcanic mud cones. The impressive size of the cones, the highest in the Buzău region, and the main cone is considered to be the largest mud volcano in Europe. These volcanoes work thanks to a complex natural process: water from deep underground, at about 3000 meters, mixes with mineral gases in the subsoil, generating pressure and cold mud eruptions. This mineral-laden sludge is pushed to the surface, where it rapidly cools and forms dry crusts, creating a spectacular badland relief of cracked soils in polygons and channeled polygons and channeled mudslides and rainfall. Active cones are ~2-3 meters tall, and older, “extinct” cones up to 6-8 meters tall can be seen on the plateau. The site is also home to rare halophilous species such as Garduraritsa (Nitraria schoberi) and the salt-adapted spiny sedge (Obione verrucifera), and specific fauna such as small scorpions and termites complete this special ecosystem.
🐉 Local myths and stories
The area of the Mud Volcanoes has given birth to numerous legends. The best known is the Legend of the seven-headed dragon, according to which a fierce dragon that scorched the villages left its ‘dried skin’ in the form of cracks in the ground, and the boiling mud represents its cursed blood. The elders also called the place the ‘Gates of Hell’, inspired by the emanations of the hot mud.
🗺️ What to visit
Visitors can explore the marked trails among dozens of mud cones, climb the largest volcano for breathtaking views and watch the mud boil into the crater in a dynamic landforming process. Photos from sunrise or sunset are spectacular, thanks to the slanting light that highlights the texture of the ground.
📍 How to get there
Access by car from Buzău (~30 km). Follow DN10 towards Berca, then follow the signs to “Vulcanii Noroioși”. At the last crossroads, the paved road on the left leads to Pâclele Mari. The last stretch is 1-2 km and may include bumps or temporarily unpaved segments. There are two parking lots – one with a small fee at the entrance and one free below.
🔎Things to keep in mind
Check the forecast and avoid rainy days as the mud becomes fluid and slippery. Wear appropriate footwear, sunscreen and a hat if necessary. Stay away from the edges of active craters to avoid hot splashes and follow marked trails to protect the environment.
⏳ Visiting hours and Fees
The site is open daily: 08:00 – 20:00 in summer and 08:00 – 16:00 in winter. Access is for a modest fee of about 4 lei for adults, 2 lei for students and 1 leu for pupils/children for the maintenance of the area. Tickets can be bought at the entrance and parking is available, with the possibility of small fees in some areas.
Please note that the area will be closed in case of heavy rain.