Muddy Volcanoes – Pâclele Mici
✨ Short description
“Paclele Mici” is the second major plateau of mud volcanoes in the Scorțoasa commune near Berca, a short distance from “Paclele Mari”. Although less visited, the location is much more spectacular than Paclele Mari.
The site covers about 10 hectares and is considered to be the largest field of mud volcanoes in Europe. The relief here is very distinctive: numerous smaller but very dense cones create an almost continuous landscape of dry mud and bubbling craters. Paclele Micii have been declared a natural monument since 1924, due to their accessibility and the interest they have aroused among visitors. The site has well-maintained paths and explanatory panels and is also part of the UNESCO Geopark “Ținutul Buzăului” (Buzau Land)
📜 History of the location
At Pâclele Mici, the muddy topography is slightly different from that of Pâclele Mari. The cones here are generally lower and less steep, but they are very numerous, covering almost the entire plateau. The phenomenon has attracted the attention of researchers since the 19th century – mud volcanoes in the area were first observed in 1867 by French geologist H. Cognand during oil explorations, later described by Grigore Cobălcescu (1883) and Grigore Ștefănescu (1890). The Great Gorges, together with the Small Gorges, 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 The uniqueness of the Paclele Mici lies in the extent and density of mud volcanoes, being the largest plateau with this phenomenon in Romania and, according to local authorities, in Europe. Dozens of small mud cones and meshes can be found on a small area, a rare “field of miniature volcanoes”. The site also has an educational value through the thematic trail set up by the Geopark, with panels explaining the differences between ‘funnels’ and ‘boils’, and the sunset photos, with their golden hues of mud, are particularly picturesque.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 legends of the mud volcanoes are also found here, and are similar to that of the Paclele Mari. The theme panels tell the story of the seven-headed dragon, who, according to folklore, was buried under these lands, and the boils are said to be his cursed breath or blood. It also goes by the name “devil’s broth”, an allusion to the gates of hell, and the panels urge visitors to “tread carefully, lest you awaken the dragon from the depths.”
🗺️ What to visit
At the Paclele Mici, tourists can explore the path that crisscrosses the plateau, walking among small cones and mud potholes. The trail allows you to see both the “funnels” – dry cones with conical mouths, and the “boils” – areas where liquid mud forms bubbling pools. A small vantage point at the end of the trail offers a panoramic view of the Great Gorges, linked by a wooded hill.
📍 How to get there
The access to Pâclele Mici is on the same general road as to Pâclele Mari, from Berca/Sătuc, but turn right at the last fork (signposted “Pâclele Mici”/ Camping Muddyland). The road, which has asphalted and gravel sections, stretches for 500 m to a parking lot at Camping Muddyland. From there, a cobblestone walkway, called “Volcanoes Alley (Alea Vulcanilor),” climbs about 500 meters in 15-20 minutes.
🔎Things to keep in mind
- Equipment: Wear appropriate shoes, as the walk up the path can be slippery, especially after rain.
- Rules: Follow conservation rules – don’t collect natural ‘souvenirs’ or disturb wildlife.
- Safety: Pay attention to children and stay a safe distance from the edges of active craters.
- Timing of visit: Visit in the morning or towards evening for milder temperatures and to enjoy the warm sunset light.
⏳ Visiting hours and Fees
The Paclele Micii are part of the same reserve as the Paclele Mari, so the hours are similar: recommended visiting between 08:00-20:00 in summer and 08:00-16:00 in winter. The entrance fee is the same for the whole area (4 lei/adult, 2 lei/student, 1 leu/student), and payment is made at the entrance point in Pâclele Mari. There is a small parking fee at the Camping site Muddyland.