The Buzău Mud Volcanoes are one of the strangest natural attractions in Romania, where bubbling mud, gas emissions and dry, cracked earth create a landscape that looks more like another planet than southeastern Europe. Located near Berca in Buzău County, the volcanoes form part of the Buzău Land UNESCO Global Geopark and are among Romania’s most unusual geological sights.
Unlike conventional volcanoes, these formations do not erupt molten rock. Instead, underground gases force water, clay and mineral-rich mud towards the surface, where it accumulates around small vents and gradually creates cone-shaped formations. The mud is cold rather than hot, making the experience particularly unusual for anyone expecting a traditional volcanic landscape.
The two main areas are Pâclele Mari and Pâclele Mici. They are close to each other but have noticeably different landscapes, and visiting both gives you a much better impression of this unusual geological phenomenon.
A Strange Landscape Created by Gas and Mud
The Buzău Mud Volcanoes are not volcanoes in the traditional sense. Deep below the surface, geological formations contain water, clay, salt and hydrocarbons. Natural gas under pressure moves upwards through faults and fractures in the Earth’s crust, carrying water and fine sediment with it.
When this mixture reaches the surface, the mud spreads around the gas vent. Repeated eruptions gradually build small cones, while other vents produce pools where gas bubbles continuously rise through the mud. The process is still active today, which means that the appearance of the landscape can change over time.
The result is a remarkably barren environment. Dry mud forms deep polygonal cracks across the ground, while channels develop where mud has flowed downhill. Some vents remain active and bubble continuously, while others have dried out and become small cones.
The almost complete absence of vegetation makes the landscape even more striking. Combined with the grey and brown colours of the mud, the cracked ground and hundreds of small cones, the area has an almost lunar appearance.
Pâclele Mari and Pâclele Mici
Pâclele Mari, meaning “Big Pâclele”, is one of the two principal mud-volcano areas and is particularly easy to visit by car. The site consists of an exposed plateau covered with mud cones, craters and channels. Some formations are active, while others have dried and developed the characteristic cracked surface.
The official Buzău Land UNESCO Global Geopark describes the area as containing the largest mud volcano in Europe, a broad shield-like formation on which smaller cones have developed.
A short thematic trail allows visitors to explore the formations and learn about the geological processes responsible for them.
Despite its name, Pâclele Mici, or “Small Pâclele”, can be just as impressive. This area contains an extensive field of mud volcanoes spread across a broad plateau, with numerous cones, craters and bubbling pools. From higher ground, the scale of the landscape becomes particularly apparent.
The two sites are close enough to combine in one visit, and if you have time, it is definitely worth seeing both.
Visiting the Buzău Mud Volcanoes
The best time to visit the Buzău Mud Volcanoes is from late spring to early autumn. May, June and September generally offer comfortable temperatures, while July and August tend to be hotter and provide the driest conditions.
Summer can be very hot because there is little shade on the exposed plateaus, so visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon is more comfortable.
Rain is more important than temperature when planning a visit. Heavy rainfall can make the terrain extremely muddy and slippery, and some areas may become difficult to access. After dry weather, on the other hand, the ground becomes much harder and the characteristic cracks in the mud are particularly visible.
Wear comfortable shoes with good grip and bring water, sunscreen and a hat during the warmer months. There is little shade around the main volcanic areas.
Allow around 2–3 hours to explore the principal sites at a relaxed pace. If you want to walk between Pâclele Mari and Pâclele Mici, allow around half a day. The official route between the two areas is approximately 6.2 km and takes about three hours, including the surrounding trail.
How to Get There
The easiest way to reach the Buzău Mud Volcanoes is by car. The sites are located near Berca, around 30 km from Buzău.
From Buzău, follow the signs towards Berca and then towards the Vulcanii Noroioși, the Romanian name for the mud volcanoes. Local roads lead towards both Pâclele Mari and Pâclele Mici, with parking areas close to the attractions.
If travelling from Bucharest, the journey generally takes around two to three hours, depending on traffic. A rental car is the most convenient option, particularly if you want to visit both volcanic areas and other attractions around Buzău Land.
Public transport is possible for reaching Berca, but getting from the town to the volcanic sites is considerably less convenient. For independent travellers, driving is therefore the best option.
Exploring Buzău Land
The mud volcanoes are only one of the geological attractions found in the wider Buzău Land UNESCO Global Geopark. The region contains unusual rock formations, caves, fossils, mountains and other geological features, making it an excellent destination for travellers interested in natural landscapes.
Nearby, the Fierbătorile de la Beciu are another interesting geological phenomenon, where gases bubble through liquid mud and water, creating pools that appear to be boiling.
Combining the mud volcanoes with other attractions in Buzău Land makes for a much more rewarding trip than visiting the volcanoes as a quick stop from Buzău. The region remains considerably less visited than Romania’s famous castles and Carpathian destinations, which is part of its appeal.
The Buzău Mud Volcanoes are particularly memorable because they offer something that is difficult to find elsewhere in Romania: an active geological landscape of bubbling mud, barren hills and constantly changing formations.
For travellers exploring southeastern Romania, Pâclele Mari and Pâclele Mici are well worth adding to the itinerary, especially for anyone interested in geology, unusual landscapes and places that feel completely different from the country’s better-known attractions.