Ranca

Rânca, also spelled Ranca, is a mountain resort village in Romania, located in Gorj County within the Southern Carpathians. It lies on the southern slopes of the Parâng Mountains and is administratively part of the Novaci commune. The settlement sits at an altitude of about 1,500–1,600 meters above sea level, making it one of the higher inhabited localities in the region. The village is situated along the Transalpina road (DN67C), a high-altitude route that connects the Oltenian plains with Transylvania and serves as a major access corridor for visitors to the Parâng massif.

Rânca developed as a tourism destination in the late 20th century and has since expanded to include chalets, guesthouses, small hotels, restaurants, and service facilities geared toward hikers, skiers, and sightseers. In winter, heavy snowfall and cold temperatures create opportunities for snow-related activities, while summer months attract hikers and nature enthusiasts exploring the Parâng Mountains and the surrounding viewpoints of the Jiu River valley. Popular access points include trails leading to nearby peaks and ridges in the area.

The name Rânca can appear in slightly different spellings (Rânca, Ranca) on maps and signage. The locality is primarily known for mountain tourism within Gorj County and should not be confused with other similarly named places in different regions.