Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
way across boulders and sprawling tree roots and, for the final 200m descent, you'll need
the aid of a ladder and cables to get you to the great mouth of the cave (those prone to ver-
tigo should stop before this point).
The cave itself, with a main gallery 2km long, and one of the country's largest under-
ground rivers - fraught with whirlpools and sinkholes - requires good boots, a helmet and
a torch to make much of the damp underground chamber. See Dimap's
Padis Plateau
map
for greater detail on the route once inside. The river sinks its way through the chamber's
numerous holes, some as deep as 150m.
Another trail, marked first by red stripes then by red circles, leads from the cabana
north for three or four hours to a meadow at
Poiana Vărăşoaia
. From here, red circles
bear east two hours to the
Rădesei Citadel
(Cetăţile Rădesei), another underground cham-
ber that has impressive rock formations (as well as tent sites). The route then circles
Someşul Cald,
a river in a deep gorge, before heading back south to the cabana. If you
continue to follow the red stripes north through the Stâna de Vale ski resort you'll arrive at
Cârligatele Peak
(1694m).
Sleeping
There are a couple of camping places including Padiş Plateau itself, and Glavoi, 8km
south, where you can camp by a stream in the lee of a wooded valley. There is a seasonal
cafe and toilet there.
CHALET
Cabana Cetaţile Ponorului $
( 0732-625 928;
www.padis.ro
;
s/d 30/50 lei)
Around 1.7km downhill from Glavoi,
past the turn-off for the fortress cave, this delightful guesthouse delivers with fresh rooms,
rustic furniture, spanking clean linen, and modern en suites. There's also a pleasant res-
taurant and terrace bar.
Cabana Bradet $
( 0743-048 266, 0788-335 051; main street, Padiş Plateau; cabanas 70 lei, r with/
without bathroom 150/70)
Slap bang on top of the plateau, with serene views, Bradet has
10 comfy rooms (some with bathrooms), a bar and a cafe. And for those inclined to the
elements, outside there are barrel-shaped hobbit-style cabanas (sleeps two small adults). It
even sells chocolate!
GUESTHOUSE
