About Moara Dracului Waterfall
Moara Dracului Waterfall (the Devil's Mill) lies on the stream of the same name, which flows down the western slope of the Vlădeasa massif into the Drăgan, within Budureasa commune, east of the Stâna de Vale resort. The water drops 20–25 m in two tiers into a tight valley full of large rock blocks and shaded by old spruce, which gives it a thoroughly wild feel. Buteasa peak rises nearby, and the Floroiu reservoir lies close by.
Unlike Iadolina Waterfall, a few minutes' walk from the resort, Moara Dracului takes a proper hike: the blue-cross trail sets off from Stâna de Vale, climbs through forest and mountain meadows, crosses the Drăgan valley past the Ciripa forestry lodge and ends up the stream's own valley. The distance keeps the crowds away; more often than not you will have it to yourself.
There is no recorded story behind the name, but it suits the place: the water tumbles noisily between boulders, as if down a mill race, and the dark, steep valley seems made for legends.
What you can see
The last stretch is a forest path that climbs beside the stream and skirts two rocky steps, and then the waterfall suddenly appears ahead: the upper tier breaks over the rock, and the lower one gathers in a small pool between moss-covered blocks. On the way you pass through Aria Vulturilor and the Poiana Munceilor meadow, with views of the Vlădeasa ridges, cross the Firul Drăganului stream on a bridge and can take a two-minute detour to the Esmeralda spring.
Good to know
The trail is about 8 km one way, with roughly 650 m of ascent and 350 m of descent, and on the way back the climb from Ciripa up to Poiana Munceilor is long and sustained. The final section to the waterfall is steep, over stones and wet roots. Wear hiking boots, take water and food and set off early in the morning; there are bears and vipers in the area.
- The two tiers of the waterfall, seen from its foot, between moss-covered rock blocks.
- The narrow, spruce-shaded valley of the Moara Dracului stream on the last half hour of the trail.
- Poiana Munceilor and Aria Vulturilor, mountain meadows with views of the Vlădeasa ridges.
- The bridge over the Firul Drăganului stream and the short detour to the Esmeralda spring, near the Ciripa lodge.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: drive to the Stâna de Vale resort. From Oradea take the DN 76 (E79) to Beiuș, then head for Budureasa (~12 km) and from there follow the DJ 764A, a mountain road with many hairpins, for ~27 km to the resort; ~88 km from Oradea in all (~2 hours). From the resort you continue on foot: the blue-cross trail starts next to the Iadolina Hotel towards the Izvorul Minunilor spring, and after about 500 m, where the tarmac ends, it climbs through the forest to Aria Vulturilor and Poiana Munceilor, drops into the Drăgan valley at the Ciripa forestry lodge, and from there it is about half an hour more to the waterfall: ~8 km and ~3 hours one way. There is also a forest road from Stâna de Vale to the Drăgan valley and the Ciripa lodge, but it is narrow, winding and in poor condition; do not count on it without asking locally.
Public transport: take a bus or train to Beiuș. We found no regular service to Stâna de Vale, so from Beiuș you need a car or a taxi.
- Where to park
Leave the car in Stâna de Vale, in the resort or near the Iadolina Hotel, where the trail starts. We could not confirm whether parking is free or paid.
- Fees & discounts
Access to the waterfall and the trail is free.
- Rules
The trail is of moderate difficulty but long: wear boots with a good grip, long trousers and bring a rain jacket, water and food for the whole day. The last section to the waterfall is steep and slippery after rain. There are bears in the area and vipers have been reported: make yourself heard on the path and do not leave food scraps. Stay on the marked trail, do not light fires and take your litter back with you.
- Facilities
No facilities at the waterfall or on the trail · accommodation, restaurants and toilets in Stâna de Vale · the Esmeralda spring near the Ciripa lodge · no access for people with disabilities · weak or no mobile signal in the valley
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