Apuseni Natural Park

Why should you visit?
Tucked away in western Romania, in the Apuseni Mountains, lies the amazing Apuseni Natural Park. The region combines a magnitude of unmatched natural landscapes with well-diversified ecosystems. Going back to Roman Times, the Apuseni Mountains' aura of gold drew people from far off lands. Today, this aura has been replaced by green for-ests, blue waters and white limestone. The remarkable sunsets that this re-gion is named after, along with timeless local charm, make Apuseni a mys-tical place to visit. Sub Title: What can you do here?

With over 1500 caves located in the park, Apuseni is an explorer's paradise. Hodobana, a massive underground labyrinth that meanders more than 21 kilometers, is a "must-see" attraction, as is the Zgurasti Cave, which shelters a spectacular underground lake. There is also the Valea Rea, which is one of the world's most significant caves, containing over 35 different types of minerals. Another unique phenomenon in the park's landscape is the Groapa Rugino-asa. This colossal ravine has a diameter of about 450 meters and is over 100 meters deep. It was formed by water erosion that cut through the layers of sandstone and red-violet clays. Apuseni is also home to an excess of alpine sports. Hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing are just a few of the many sports that draw visitors to the area.

What makes the Apuseni Natural Park special?
Due to the ever-changing mountain climates, the Apuseni Natural Park never sits still. The region is constantly evolving, with peat bogs emerging in the higher altitudes. The park is also home to over 1,550 different plant species. Spruce forests fill the mountain sides, while wild cherries and black walnuts grow in the meadows. One of the most extraordinary places in the park is the Padis-Cetatile Po-norului Karst visitor area. It's an area comprised of steep rock walls, wild running water and deep caves. Recently, carnivorous wildlife, which was previously unknown to science, was discovered in some of the mountain's caves. These discoveries, combined with the already vast numbers of bear, lynx and wolves, make the region a truly remarkable habitat for wildlife.