📜 A spectacular cave system and hiking destination in Romania's Bihor Mountains.
🏞️ Explore blooming meadows, adventurous rappelling, and a unique cave passage.

Why Go

🌍 Explore one of Europe's most renowned karst landscapes
🌸 Hike through Poiana Florilor meadows and discover the Galbena River springs
🧗‍♀️ Experience adventurous rappelling on chains and ladders around rocks
🦇 Pass through the magnificent Cetățile Ponorului cave, a truly unique experience
🚶‍♀️ Suitable for beginners, offering a 1-day hike with stunning views

🥾 Hiking

• Distance: 12 km
• Elevation Gain: 700 m
• Highest Point: 1300 m above sea level
• Best Months: May to October ☀️
• Starting Point: Padis village, offering camping and a pub 🏕️
• Trail Features: Steep descents with ropes and chains, ladders, cave passage with varying water levels
• Cave Passage: Approximately 400 meters long, requires a headlamp and suitable footwear (sandals recommended) 🔦
• Wildlife: Expect free-grazing cows, sheep, and potentially friendly stray dogs 🐕

✅ Checklist

• Standard hiking gear, trekking poles, hiking boots 🥾
• Headlamp (essential for the cave) 💡
• Water purification (e.g., Sanosil) for spring water 💧
• Sandals or water shoes for the cave passage 👟
• Sunscreen and sunglasses (in summer) 🕶️
• Tent, sleeping bag, mat, cooking equipment (if staying overnight) ⛺
• Secure your food from stray dogs 🍖

🚗 Getting There

• Access to Padis: Exit the highway between Beius and Stei 🛣️

🚫 Why Avoid

• Winter Months: Not recommended from November to April due to snow/glaciers ❄️
• Slippery Sections: Cave and descent can be wet and slippery ⚠️
• Crowds: Descent to the cave can be time-consuming if encountering other groups ⏳