Buila-Vanturarita National Park is located in the northern part of Valcea county, at south of Capatanii Mountains, the territory of villages Costesti, Barbatesti and Baile Olanesti and has a total area of 4500 ha. The Massif Buila-Vanturarita is one of the most beautiful and interesting from the Carpathians chain and the layout reminds a lot of Craiului Stone. The park includes a linear ridge of l
imestone of Massif Buila-Vanturarita with a length of about 14 km from west of Bistrita Gorges up to east of Olanesti Gorge (Folea), ridge dominated by the two peaks which give the masif its name: Peak Buila (1849 m) and Peak Vanturarita Mare (1885 m). The masif presents specific features of karst relief, with numerous exo-karst forms (gorges, precipitous limestones, doline, limestone debrises, chimneys, needles, lathe) and endo-karst (caves). Because of its insularity character and difficult accessibility, in the masif have been preserved many elements of unspoiled natural heritage: natural habitat, virgin forests, many species of protected flora and fauna, mineralogical and paleontological sites, caves. An element of additional value and attraction is the existence of many cultural and historic objectives in its perimeter or in close proximity: monasteries-Arnota, Bistrita, Horezu, Frasinei, hermitages-Patrunsa, Pahomie, Iezer, Bradu, Jgheaburi, churches of the former hermitages-44 Izvoare, Papusa, Peri, cave churches from the Bat Cave, churches from close cities, as well as traditions, customs and traditional architecture of the villages from the foot of the mountain. The limestone ridge dominates the surroundings from a maximum altitude of 1886 meters and is easily recognizable from the road DN67 Ramnicu Valcea - Targu Jiu.
