Mada – Cheile Madei Gorge, Hiking Trail and Peștera Zidită

Mada combines a protected natural area with a viewpoint, a designated hiking trail, climbing routes, and historical and traditional cultural sites. Since 1979, the Cheile Mada Gorge has been a mixed nature reserve in management category IV, covering 10 ha. Landscape, outdoor activities and culture therefore come together here within a compact thematic area.

Nature

The Cheile Madei Gorge stretches for 2.4 km. The ridge of Vârful Dosu is at an elevation of 684 m and offers a viewpoint over the Metaliferi Mountains. In the wider regional surroundings of Mada are also Vârful Fericelii Mountain and the Dealul Uroiului and Dealul Archiei hills. The protected gorge area, the higher viewpoint and the region’s landscape references thus represent different geographical levels.

Trails and activities

Hiking trail 30MN15 connects Balșa and Mada through the Cheile Madei Gorge. It is 3.5 km long and takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. The route therefore leads from a specifically named starting point through the described natural area to Mada; the length and walking time indicate the extent of this trail.

Access to the Cheile Măzii Gorge from the direction of Geoagiu Băi leads via Balșa. From there, the route leaves the paved road and continues along a narrow dirt track towards Mada. This sequence describes the change from travelling via Balșa to the unpaved section towards the gorge.

There are several moderately difficult climbing routes in the Mada area on limestone walls that are partly equipped. Hiking and climbing therefore stand alongside each other as distinct types of activity: the hiking trail is described by its distance and approximate duration, while the climbing routes are characterised by their moderate difficulty and the partial equipment on the limestone walls.

Accommodation and planning

When travelling to Mada, hotel offers are a separate part of the preparations alongside nature, trails and culture. Travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions are among the details that may be visible on an offer page. The choice of an offer therefore remains dependent on your own travel period and the conditions you want.

Other places

Other places to explore: Bretea Streiului, Ciulpăz, Densuş and Hunedoara.

Culture

Peștera Zidită is a cave fortified in the late Middle Ages. Approximately half of the original length of its fortification wall remains. The wall is made of local stone bonded with mortar and features an entrance opening as well as several embrasures. The preserved structure therefore includes both the building material and the visible openings, while the wall itself survives only in part.

The traditional communal mowing and haymaking activity “clacă la coasă și la fân” was revived in Gura Oandului. Gura Oandului is a hamlet that has since been incorporated into the village of Mada. Alongside the natural and activity sites, this traditional work practice is therefore also part of Mada’s cultural profile.

To the overview of the wider trip: Hunedoara.