2. Arieseni is
a commune located
in Alba
county, Romania. It
has a population of
1,921. The commune
is composed of
eighteen villages.
3. It is a very popular ski resort among the
people of Bihor and Alba counties having 3
ski-slopes: the old one is about 500 meters
long, the second about 1,000 m and the third
one, opened in January 2011 is the longest
having 1,600 m. The first ski lift in Romania
was installed in Arieșeni and with the opening
of the new slope, the resorts has also got a
brand new funicular. There are several
notable natural tourist sites such as the
Vârciorog Waterfall, Ghețarul de la
Scărișoara, Groapa Ruginoasă, Piatra
Grăitoare, Pătrăhăițești village, Bihorul Peak
(1848m).
4. Cascada Vârciorog (Vârciorog
waterfall)
Can be found NE of the Biharia group of mountains, on the
Vârciong valley, affluent to the White River. Situated in the
village Vamvuceşti – Arieşeni, at the bottom of Piatra
Grăitoare peak, the Vârciorog waterfall is a landscape
reservation that stands 15 meters tall.
5. Situated 5 km from the center of Arieşeni it is
accessible also in the winter season when the
forest road is not snowed in.
Close by you can find blueberries,
blackberries and raspberries, near the
waterfall it is possible to make a barbecue, a
camp fire or just to sunbathe. The best period
to see the waterfall is in the springtime, when
the flow of the Vârciorog river has reached its
peak. The largest number of visitors is usually
during summer and autumn.
6. Pătrăhăiţeşti
The Pătrăhăiţeşti village is one
of the most isolated human
settings in Apuseni, and is one
of the 18 villages that are part
of Arieşeni, situated at over
1.200 meters. In the summer
time you can reach here by car,
on a forest road 5 km away
from the main road.
The locals are welcoming,
known for their famous
huckleberry drink. Thanks to
the hundred year old tradition
of most of the inhabitants, they
have become skilled handymen
in creating handcrafted objects
from wood and textiles that we
usually see in a museum.
7. Objectives: Pătrăhăieşti waterfall – that is 14
meters high and is also referred to as the
Bucinis waterfall, because of its position on
the Bucinis river valley. It is best to see it at
springtime, when snow melts and the waterfall
is more impressive. During summer, the
surroundings are filled with burdock flowers
(mini sun flowers).
Pătrăhăieşti museum –is the place where you
can purchase handmade objects from wood,
made by skilled craftsmen. It is accessible by
car.
8. Ruginoasa Hole (Groapa
Ruginoasa)
The enormous cavity is dug by water in red, violet and yellow
sand stone, making it a unique phenomenon in our country. It is
the result of a powerful erosion proces with a 600 meters
diameter and a depth of 100 meters. The erosion is still in
process and the hole gets bigger and bigger over the years. For
example, 80 years ago – on old maps – the place was marked
down as a small gap. The edges are sharp, like razors that point
to the center of the hole.
Situated 9 km from Arieşeni after finishing a 50 minute walk off
the road (including 10-15 minutes climb), the hole can be
admired in its entire splendor. The road is accesible all year
round and is marked on the DN75 road.
BE CAREFUL of the hole sides because they are not well
consolidated.
9. Scărişoara Cave (Peştera
Scărişoara)
The Scărişoara cave can be found in Gârda de Sus village, it is
one of the largest ice caverns in Romania.
There are two ways to get there from Arieşeni: by car untill Gârda
de Jos and from there you can climb your way to the glacier.
Otherwise, there is a track of 4 hours (red triangle marking)
straight from Arieşeni.
The date in which Scărişoara has been discovered is unknown,
but it was mentioned for the first time in 1863, when the Austrian
geographer Adolt Schmididi made the first observations and the
first map of the cave.
Now, Scărişoara is declared one of nature’s monuments and a
speleological reserve. Situated at an altitude of 1165 m, it is the
largest ice-cave in Romania with a length of 720 m and a depth
of 105 m. The cave is renown thank to its glacier aged over 3000
years with a surface of 5500 square meters as well as an ice
thickness that is, in some places, over 37 meters.
10. The interior is made with metal stairs and is illuminated; large groups
can arrange for guides. Sala Mare(the big room) and Bisericuţa( the
little church) are two parts of the glacier which form the top area that
can be visited. Bisericuţa, has ice formations even in springtime. The
cave can be visited all year.
Legend: Şolomăţul that steals girls
Tales from the elders speak of a dragon that lived in the cave; this
dragon was called by the natives: şolomăţ. This creature stole one
beautiful girl, on New Years Eve or one night before the Girls Fair from
Găina Mountain, and hid her in an ice palace that was never seen by
anyone.
Another legend tells that behind the calcareous formations called “La
brazi” there are two water basins, and whoever gets down on both
knees, with his bear head, drinks straight from the water and makes a
wish, that person will see his dream come true. The only condition is
that he/she does not tell his wish to anyone.
11. Another legend tells that behind the calcareous formations called
“La brazi” there are two water basins, and whoever gets down on
both knees, with his bear head, drinks straight from the water and
makes a wish, that person will see his dream come true. The only
condition is that he/she does not tell his wish to anyone.
12. Ordâncuşi Canyon and the Ionele
Gate (Cheile Ordâncuşii and Poarta
lui Ionele)
Cheile Ordâncuşii is a complex reserve that represents
one of the narrowest canyons in Romania (4-6 meters)
with a length of 4 km and a breath-taking natural
scenery. It is situated 1,5 km from the center of the
Gârda de Sus village. In its walls, you can find 70
caves and grottos among which the cave Ionele’s Gate
that is a speleological reserve of scientific importance.
Ionele’s Gate can be found in the first sector of the
canyon, 10 km from Arieşeni. It stands out with its
enormous entrance (it is a must see if not only for this
aspect) over 15 m high, with a 60 m gallery. Only the
first part of the cave is allowed to tourists, the second
one is closed due to a protected bat colony.
