Apuseni: Hiking to the legendary Cetățile Ponorului caves

The Apuseni Mountains are among the most picturesque karst massifs in western Romania. This region is renowned for its underground rivers, limestone ridges, deep caves, and breathtaking mountain landscapes. Here, surrounded by wild nature and majestic cliffs, we will spend three days exploring the most fascinating spots of this remarkable region.

Our route is designed so that from our place of accommodation, we can easily access the most famous natural landmarks of the Apuseni area. The first of these will be a true natural masterpiece — the Cetățile Ponorului Cave.

This will be our first walk — an easy, afternoon hike to gently ease into the rhythm of the journey. We’ll set off on a short but impressive trek to one of the grandest natural wonders in Europe. From the mountain shelter Cabana Cetățile Ponorului, a well-marked trail leads to the first and second sinkholes — the two main entrances to the cave.

Cetățile Ponorului is a stunning karst system located in the heart of the Bihor Mountains, within the Apuseni Nature Park, at an elevation of 950 meters above sea level. It is often referred to as the “Everest of Romanian speleology” — and for good reason: its scale, depth, and underground architecture are awe-inspiring even for seasoned explorers.

The total length of the cave is approximately 3.8 kilometers, and it reaches a depth of 301 meters. One of its most impressive features is the gigantic entrance portal, 70 meters high, which opens into a majestic and mysterious subterranean world.

Inside the cave flows one of Romania’s most powerful underground rivers, forming numerous waterfalls, cascades, and fourteen subterranean lakes. The cave’s structure consists of three massive karst sinkholes, which together form a complex and mysterious underground labyrinth.