Cailor Waterfall
Borșa, Maramureș County · Maramureș
About Cailor Waterfall
Cailor Waterfall (the Horses' Waterfall) is the best-known waterfall in northern Romania and, by most accounts, the tallest in the country: the Izvorul Cailor stream drops about 90 m over a limestone cliff called Podul Cailor, in three main tiers, the longest of them around 40 m. It lies at roughly 1,300 m, in the Piatra Rea nature reserve, a strict protection zone of the Rodna Mountains National Park.
The water comes from a glacial cirque below Muntele Cailor and is fed mostly by snowmelt, so the flow varies a lot: in late spring and after rain the fall is a wide, roaring veil, while by late summer it thins to a few threads on the rock. In winter it partly freezes and can be seen from afar as a white column.
The name comes from a local legend: shepherds kept their herds of horses on the rich pastures of Piatra Rea, and the bears, unable to catch them in the open, cornered them above the precipice. Some 15 horses are said to have plunged into the void, and ever since the mountain, the rock ledge and the stream have carried the horses' name.
What you can see
The waterfall appears ahead of you as the path from the top chairlift station leaves the forest: first the upper tier, fanning out across the wall, then, as you get closer, the whole staircase of drops down to the valley. At the bottom there are benches and small shelters with a view of the entire fall, and you can walk right up to its foot.
The chairlift ride is part of the experience: the old two-seater lift climbs 500 m of altitude in 17 minutes, with views over Borșa and towards Pietrosul Rodnei. From the top station, in the Runcu Știolului clearing, longer trails lead on to the Știol saddle, Știol Lake and the Prislop Pass.
Good to know
The path from the chairlift to the waterfall goes downhill, so the way back is a climb, over boulders and wet stretches; it is not suitable for pushchairs. The chairlift only runs with at least 10 passengers, and on summer weekends there are queues. You are in a national park, in a strict protection zone: stay on the path and leave nothing behind.
- The top tier of the waterfall, fanning out across the limestone wall, seen from where the path leaves the forest.
- The foot of the falls, with benches and shelters, where you see the whole staircase of nearly 90 m.
- The ride up on the old two-seater chairlift, with Borșa and Pietrosul Rodnei behind you.
- The Runcu Știolului clearing at the top station, starting point for the Știol saddle and Știol Lake.
- The frozen waterfall in winter, when the chairlift keeps running and the path is packed snow.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Borșa, take the DN18 towards the Prislop Pass and turn off after about 10 km for the Borșa tourist complex (Str. Brădet), where the chairlift starts. Borșa is ~120 km from Baia Mare (DN18, via Sighetu Marmației or the Gutâi Pass, ~2h30), ~165 km from Cluj-Napoca (~3 hours) and ~90 km from Vatra Dornei (DN18 over the Prislop Pass, ~2 hours). Note that the new Borșa gondola goes to the Olympic ski run, not to the waterfall; for the waterfall you want the chairlift (phone +40 741 423 311). On foot from the complex, follow the red-triangle trail: ~3.5 km and ~440 m of climb, 1–1.5 hours.
Public transport: minibuses and buses Baia Mare – Sighetu Marmației – Borșa (about 3 hours), or train to Vișeu de Jos and then a minibus to Borșa. From the centre of Borșa to the complex it is ~10 km with no regular service; take a taxi.
- Where to park
At the foot of the chairlift, in the Borșa tourist complex, parking was free according to recent visitor reports, but it fills up on summer weekends and in the holidays; come in the morning. Do not confuse it with the paid car park of the gondola on the Olympic ski run.
- Fees & discounts
The waterfall and the trail are free. Chairlift (2026 fares, on the lift's website): adults 35 lei each way or 50 lei return; children under 12 25 lei each way or 35 lei return; children under 5 go free; people with disabilities get 50% off. The Rodna Mountains National Park charges a visitor fee of a few lei per person, bought online (easy2visit, linked from parcrodna.ro).
- Rules
You are in the Piatra Rea reserve, a strict protection zone: stay on the marked path, do not pick plants, light fires, camp or leave litter (the area is under video surveillance). Dogs on a lead only. Drones only with the park administration's permission. The rocks at the foot of the falls are wet and slippery; wear hiking boots or shoes with good grip and bring a rain jacket, even in summer. There are bears in the area: do not feed them and make yourself heard on the path.
- Facilities
Toilets at the foot of the chairlift · food stalls and terraces in the Borșa tourist complex · a tourist sheepfold serving food near the top station · benches and shelters at the waterfall · no step-free access on the path · weak mobile signal in the valley · park visitor centre in Borșa
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