About Cheilor Waterfall
Cheilor Waterfall, also known as the Cormaia waterfall, is the most visited of the falls in the Cormaia Valley, which comes down from the Rodna Mountains and joins the Someșul Mare river right by Sângeorz-Băi. Here a mountain stream drops in several tiers through a small rocky gorge, 20–30 m in total, before flowing into the Cormaia river below.
The site was made accessible to visitors in 2016 by the Sângeorz-Băi town hall, with the help of volunteers: a path with wooden steps, small footbridges and handhold chains climbs alongside the waterfall. The name refers to the gorge (chei in Romanian), and locals tell a legend that during the Tatar raids people hid their horses in the narrow passage by the waterfall, where the roar of the water drowned out their neighing.
What you can see
The visit starts from the valley road, where you cross the Cormaia on a wooden footbridge known as the Kiss Bridge (Puntea Sărutului); on the other side there is a shelter with tables and benches. From there the path climbs the slope beside the chain of tiers, sometimes right through the water, with close-up views of each drop and of the moss-covered rock walls.
There are other, lesser-known falls along the same valley, and further up begins the Rodna Mountains National Park's red-triangle trail towards Farmecul Pădurii and the Rodna ridge.
Good to know
The path is short but steep and slippery, and in places it goes through the water; a sign at the entrance warns that the harder sections are at your own risk. The waterfall lies just outside the national park boundary, so there is no visitor fee.
- The Kiss Bridge, the wooden footbridge over the Cormaia where the path to the waterfall begins.
- The tiers of the waterfall up close, from the steps and footbridges that climb beside them.
- The stretches where the path runs right through the water, between moss-covered rock walls.
- The trout farms in the Cormaia Valley, where you can eat fresh grilled trout after the walk.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Bistrița take the DN17D via Năsăud to Sângeorz-Băi (~55 km, ~1 hour); in town follow the signs for Cormaia / Valea Cascadelor along the valley road, about 4 km from the edge of town. The road is passable for any car right up to the foot of the waterfall. From Cluj-Napoca it is ~145 km (via Dej and Beclean, ~3 hours).
Public transport: train to Sângeorz-Băi (Ilva Mică – Rodna Veche line) or bus from Bistrița. From the town to the waterfall, walk along the Cormaia Valley road (about 1–1.5 hours) or take a taxi.
- Where to park
You can drive to the foot of the waterfall along the valley road. We found no information about a dedicated or paid car park; people stop by the roadside near the footbridge.
- Fees & discounts
The waterfall and the built path are free. The waterfall lies just outside the Rodna Mountains National Park, so the park's visitor fee does not apply here; if you continue onto the park's trails (for example the red-triangle route towards Farmecul Pădurii and the Rodna ridge), the fee is bought online via parcrodna.ro.
- Rules
The path is steep and wet, with wooden steps, handhold chains and stream crossings: wear hiking boots or shoes with good grip and bring a light jacket against the spray. The harder sections are at your own risk. Do not leave litter or light fires in the forest. Not suitable for pushchairs.
- Facilities
Shelter with tables and benches at the entrance · trout farms with restaurants in the Cormaia Valley · guesthouses along the valley · no step-free access on the path
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