Caves, Waterfalls and Trails

The commune of Pietroasa lies on the banks of the Crișul Pietros and the Valea Crăiasa valley. Natural highlights in the area include nearby Peștera Urșilor, tiered waterfalls and hiking trails with clearly named destinations. For trip planning, the differences are easy to sort: caves vary in length and difficulty, waterfalls in height and form, and trails in the connections they provide.

Caves: Dimensions, Passages and Wall Paintings

Peștera Urșilor is in the Apuseni Mountains, near the commune of Pietroasa, at an altitude of 842 m. At more than 1,500 m long, with two galleries one above the other, it is more than twice as long as the active Coliboaia Cave, which measures 750 m. Coliboaia has more difficult passages; traversing the gallery requires caving equipment such as a coverall, boots and cave ladders.

The wall paintings in Coliboaia depict a bison, a horse, a big cat, a bear’s head and two rhinoceroses. The animal depictions add a cultural dimension to the cave theme. The caves therefore have different features to consider: the size and gallery structure of Peștera Urșilor, and the passage requirements and wall paintings of Coliboaia.

Waterfalls and Elevation Differences

The nearly vertical Cascada Oselu drops over five tiers and reaches about 10 m. Cascada Săritoarea Bohodei, also tiered, is considerably higher at about 80 m in total and is considered the largest waterfall in the Apuseni Mountains. It lies on the Valea Bohodei, a left-bank tributary of the Aleu River. The comparison shows two different scales: a smaller, nearly vertical cascade and a much higher, multi-tiered waterfall.

Hiking Trails with Different Destinations

The TA hiking trail connects the village of Pietroasa with the ridge of the Vlădeasa Mountains near Șaua Bohodei and leads to Cascada Săritoarea Bohodei. The TG hiking trail, by contrast, connects the communes of Pietroasa and Arieșeni and provides access to Cheile Galbenei. The named routes therefore offer different connections: TA leads from the village to the ridge and waterfall, while TG connects two communes and provides access to a gorge.

On the Padiş–Satul de vacanţă Boga–Pietroasa hiking trail, the final section passes through the Valea Crișului Pietros valley and hay meadows designated as a botanical reserve, before reaching the village of Pietroasa. This section therefore links arrival in the village with a valley and meadows designated for their botanical value.

In the wider Padiș area, the Circuitul Văii Galbena loop trail also passes through Glăvoi, Gheţarul Focul Viu, Poiana Florilor, Cheile Galbenei, Izbucul Galbenei, Avenul Borţig and Poiana Ponor, before returning to Padiș.

Access

The main access route to the commune branches left from the DN 76 Oradea–Deva at kilometre 72 and follows the DJ 763 to kilometre 11. This road information relates to travel to the commune, while each hiking trail has its own connections and natural destinations. You can therefore plan your access route and choice of trail as separate steps.

Discover more destinations: Padiş, Şoimi, Sat Nojorid, Băile 1 Mai, Biharia, Ștei, Stâna de Vale, Auşeu

For the broader travel overview: Bihor.