PadiÅŸ: Karst Landscape and Hiking Trails in the Apuseni Mountains

The Padiș tourist area lies in the northern part of the Munții Bihor, a mountain range of the Munții Apuseni. The area includes the enclosed Padiș–Cetățile Ponorului basin. The Padiș–Cetățile Ponorului karst area is considered the most important tourist area in the Munții Apuseni. The Padiș–Vârtop tourist area has 27 marked hiking trails.

Nature and Karst

Izbucul Ponor drains the waters of streams that disappear underground on the PadiÈ™ Plateau. Cascada Evantai forms where the water of the Galbena Valley emerges from a cave again and plunges approximately 10 metres into the depths. Pietrele Galbenei is a protected natural monument and has been a geological reserve since 2000.

The portal of Peștera Cetățile Ponorului is 75 metres high and is described as the highest portal in Europe. Avenul Gemănata on the route through Lumea Pierdută has an 82-metre-deep vertical drop. Avenul Borțig is approximately 40 metres deep and is described as Europe’s second-largest ice cave after the Scărișoara Glacier. Peștera Șura Boghii is 212 metres long.

Hiking Trails

The Circuitul Cetăților Ponorului is a difficult circular hiking trail taking approximately 6.5 hours, with safety ropes installed at key points; it is not recommended in winter. The circular trail through Lumea Pierdută is a fairly demanding hike across the karst plateau, takes approximately 5 hours and is not recommended in winter.

The visitor trail to Izbucul Ponor leads to a spring inside a small grotto and is a relatively easy hike of approximately 30 minutes. The visitor trail to Pietrele Galbenei is a short, moderately difficult detour from the classic Circuitul Văii Galbena and is not recommended in winter. This results in a broad range of route profiles for planning a day: the two longer routes take approximately five and six and a half hours respectively and involve demanding trail conditions and winter restrictions. The trails to Izbucul Ponor and Pietrele Galbenei complement these with a relatively easy and a moderately difficult short option, each with its own winter rule.

History

The four viewing balconies on the Circuitul Cetăților Ponorului were built by Czaran Gyula in the 19th century.

Points of Interest

The visitor and tourist information centre of the Apuseni Natural Park administration is located at the PadiÈ™ forestry canton. A forestry canton and a supply station are located in the La Grajduri clearing; this is where most tourists with tents camp. The path to the Pietrele Boghii viewpoint is prohibited in winter.

For a stay in PadiÅŸ, hotel travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can be considered separately. These three details reveal different parameters for budget-conscious planning without presupposing any additional features.

Other Places

Almașu Mic, Cordău, Hidişelu De Sus, Gepiu, Ștei, Şoimi, Băile Felix, Auşeu

To the main travel overview: Bihor.