Strambu Baiut, located in the Tibles Mountains of Maramures County, protects an extraordinary primeval beech-silver fir forest covering approximately 598 ha, with an extended protected area of around 2,962 ha under the ROSCI0285 Natura 2000 designation. It was inscribed as part of the UNESCO Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians in 2017.
This forest is characterized by exceptional ecological attributes—including towering trees over 50 m tall and over 1.5 m in diameter, a well-structured multilayered canopy spanning all age classes, abundant deadwood, and ongoing natural regeneration—living examples of undisturbed forest dynamics.
Strambu Baiut hosts a rich biodiversity, from large carnivores such as brown bear, wolf, and lynx, to nocturnal birds, black woodpeckers, and the rare black stork. It functions as a natural connection between the Southern Carpathian forests and the Ukrainian Carpathians and serves as a living laboratory vital for conservation and climate resilience.
The forest’s role transcends ecology—it is deeply embedded in local cultural and economic life. Historically, surrounding communities depended on the forest for material and cultural inspiration. Today, collaborative conservation initiatives, such as those led by WWF and Romsilva, promote responsible forest stewardship while engaging and benefiting local populations.
