The Best Places To Visit In The Apuseni Mountains

Apuseni Mountains, part of the Carpathians, made it to CNN’s list of best places to visit in Europe.

If you get the chance to visit, you’ll understand why. Virgin nature, breathtaking landscapes, centuries-old traditions, cultural heritage, healthy food, and welcoming people are just some of the reasons why the Apuseni Mountains are one of the most sought-after destinations in Romania.

While this region of Romania offers plenty for everyone, here are some of our favorite places to visit in the Apuseni Mountains.

Scarisoara Underground Glacier

Scarisoara Glacier is probably the most renowned in Romania due to its size. Located inside a cave, Scarisoara is the world’s largest perennial cave ice deposit, according to the most recent measurements, in 2017, by scientists from the University of South Florida.

Asides from its sheer size (more than 10.000 cubic meters), the ice block is a living testament to the history of climate change, holding fragments of plants and animals that are extinct, and one of the most unique places to visit in Romania.

Via Ferrata at Vadu Crisului

For mountain lovers and active travelers, the Via Ferrata at Vadu Crisului is one of the best things to experience in the Apuseni Mountains.

The suspension bridge, the river valley, and the gorge walls are what provide this route with spectacular views. 

Some other activities that you can try at Vadu Crisului are zipline, water rafting, hiking, and biking.

White Ceramic Pottery Workshop

Considered unique in Europe, the white ceramic pottery workshop in the Apuseni Mountains can be visited if you are interested in creating your unique Romanian traditional souvenir while contributing to the local economy and keeping this centuries-old tradition alive.

Geamana – the Sunken Village

The story of how this place came to be it’s tragic and, while it became touristic, we Romanians are hoping to raise awareness about this ecological disaster.

During communism, copper exploitation through the Rosia Poieni mine reached the village of Geamana. The locals were offered money to leave their land and homes behind for the exploitation to continue. 

Rosia Poieni is the second-largest copper reserve in Europe and its decanting basin completely erased the village of Geamana and polluted water streams and lands surrounding it.

What you see today is the church’s tower, which sits on a hill 100 meters above the rest of the village. 400 houses are completely covered in toxic waste.

Rimetea Village

Dating back to medieval times, Rimetea village is now one of the most beautiful villages in Transylvania.

Having won the Europa Nostra Award from the European Commission for preserving its cultural heritage, Rimetea offers much more than just beauty. Surrounded by mountains with limestone vertical walls, Rimetea is a great destination for adventure seekers, being one of the best places for climbing and sky gliding, as well as nature lovers, with great hiking routes along breathtaking scenery.

Biserica Veche – The old church at Garda de Sus

The old church at Garda de Sus dates back to 1792 and what makes it special is its wooden structure which is typical for Maramures, a northern region in Romania.

Painted on the inside at the beginning of the 19th century, the church is a protected historic monument and home to various wooden and glass-painted icons.

Evantai Waterfall

Evantai is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Romania. 

The waterfall resembles a fan and that is how it got its name Evantai, which in Romanian means fan.  Formed through the fall of an underground river that founds its way above the rocks, the waterfall is breathtaking particularly during fall when the nature surrounding it changes colors and the flow is bigger due to rain.

Reaching it requires experience hiking, therefore we do not recommend visiting if you are not fit or do not have experience with more challenging routes.