Late autumn in the Apuseni Mountains
Yes,you’re right. We’ve already started living our winter for a while.
Yetmemories of the Apuseni fill my heart – and I have several reasons for that.One is a giant fluffy friend we made there. He became even more. His name wasGălbenuş (=yolk).
As westayed in Buces-Vulcan Village, dominated by the sight of MountVulcan, we couldn’t get enough of our new furry friend’s company. We decided tospend time with him and throw our travel plans to the wind. I felt quite sickafter a challenging detox; however, we decided to hike together after breakfast(our breakfasts are served mainly around lunchtime). As you exit the village,you’ll see a trail to your right. Follow it until you reach a crossroads (you’lleven see a path framed by white stones to your left). Take the trail on yourright and walk until you get to a big antenna and beautiful views of thesurroundings. It will take around 2.5-3 hours there and back, with breaks togather juniper and turkey tail mushrooms included. It was a wonderful hikebecause we were together. ♥
For theeasy trail (steps and bridges – about 10 minutes) to Cascada Săritoarea[Săritoarea Waterfall], you should find the official door of access, as the locationon the maps will take you into the forest. Head towards Stănija, pass thechurch on your left and follow the signs to the waterfall. It is as delicate asit is beautiful! It was surrounded by a carpet of leaves when we visited.
Theroad to Peştera Poarta lui Ionele [Poarta lui Ionele Cave] passesthrough Cheile Ordâncuşii [Ordâncuşii Ravine]. The path to the cave entrance isvery scenic. The guide is a very knowledgeable and lovely man. He knows a lot aboutthe bat colony in the cave. So, ask away!
Don’tmiss the warm cheese pies sold at the start of the path to the cave.
Ourfirst and magical hike to Izbucul Tăuz (easy and probably around 15minutes to see it and return) was linked to a kitten found just outside RemeteaVillage in Bihor County. We were unaware of it then, but he ended up changingour lives! Izbucul Tăuz is one of the most beautiful places we’ve seen not onlyin Romania, but in the entire world! Summer brought out the turquoise in thewater, while the autumn colours and lower water levels offered a differentperspective. We met some locals here who told us about Coiba Mică and Coiba Marecaves and made us curious to discover them.
Casade Piatrăis one of my favourite villages. It is like one of those fairy tale villages.We were lucky to be back after 10 years. We had a small talk with the owner ofPensiunea Casa de Piatră [Casa de Piatră Guesthouse] and some delicious stone-bakedblueberry pies made by his wife. He also gave us precise directions to thecaves we wanted to see.
Thefirst was Coiba Mare. We left our car at the official entry pointinto the Apuseni Natural Park (cars were not allowed from there on). Weimmediately found the trail leading to it on our left (2-3 minutes to CoibaMare) after Marcel fed a cute dog. We also met with the nice people whorecommended the place! I was impressed beyond words! After all, you're facing thelargest cave portal in Romania. You feel so small but you realise you’re partof it all!
Some200 metres on your left (the descent can be slippery), there’s the short trailto Coiba Mică. The water that you see goes underground andsurfaces at Izbucul Tăuz. We were not aware of that until we met the kind localsmentioned above.
As you headtowards Gârda Seacă Village, you’ll find a spring on yourleft. We stopped and filled our bottles. The long drive to Braşov started.
We werealready missing Gălbenuş. His name is Suflet (=soul) now. ♥
Butthat is another story.
