About Unguru Mare Cave
Unguru Mare Cave opens at the foot of a tall limestone cliff on the left bank of the Crișul Repede, in the wide loop the river makes between the villages of Bălnaca and Șuncuiuș, on the northern edge of the Pădurea Craiului Mountains. Its entrance, more than 30 m high, is described by the custodian as the most impressive in Pădurea Craiului, and to reach it you cross the river on a suspension bridge. Scientific literature also calls it Peștera Ungurului; it has been open to visitors for nearly a century.
The cave is about 554 m long and climbs roughly 40 m from the entrance to its far end. The broad, naturally lit space by the entrance was lived in as early as the Neolithic: archaeologists have found chipped and polished stone tools, painted pottery and bone needles here. The most valuable finds date from the Bronze Age: an incineration cemetery was identified in the last passage, known as the Sacred Gallery, and the cave has yielded hundreds of bronze objects and a Baltic amber bead, a sign of long-distance trade.
What you can see
The show route follows the entrance passage, 15–33 m wide and 15–25 m high, with an almost level floor. A milky stream runs along the bottom: its white colour comes from mineral deposits carried by acidic water from old mines in the area, which the custodian attributes to a rare mineral called crisite, after the Latin name of the Criș. Seen from inside, the huge entrance frames the valley and the forest on the opposite bank. The cave is also home to bat colonies, which is why it closes in winter.
Good to know
In 2025 the custodian announced that the cave was temporarily closed for refurbishment, and as of the date of checking no reopening date had been published: ring the Șuncuiuș town hall before you set off. Less than 1 km away is the Wind Cave (Peștera Vântului), which can only be visited on caving trips.
- The entrance, more than 30 m high, seen from the suspension bridge over the Crișul Repede.
- The milk-white stream flowing along the floor of the entrance passage.
- The mouth of the cave seen from inside, with the valley and forest framed by the limestone vault.
- The Sacred Gallery, site of the Bronze Age cemetery where the Baltic amber bead was found.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Oradea take the E60 (DN 1) towards Cluj-Napoca as far as the Vadu Crișului turn-off, then the DJ 108I through Vadu Crișului to Șuncuiuș; carry on towards Bălnaca and, at the level crossing where Bălnaca begins, take the local road to the cave. It is about 60 km from Oradea. From Beiuș you can come along the DJ 764 through Roșia, Damiș and Bratca, then Bălnaca.
Public transport: regional trains between Oradea and Cluj-Napoca stop at Șuncuiuș station; from the village it is about 2 km on foot to the cave, along the road that follows the Crișul Repede upstream.
- Where to park
Leave the car in the car park on the right bank of the Crișul Repede, by the suspension bridge, which also has room for coaches; from there you cross the river on foot. Park only in the marked areas. The official website does not say whether parking is charged.
- Fees & discounts
Prices published by the custodian: adults and children over 14 20 lei, children aged 5 to 14 10 lei, children under 5 free. Payment is in cash only.
- Rules
Visitors go in with a guide, in groups of at least 10 and at most 35 people; follow the guide's instructions. No photography with flash or a phone torch, and do not disturb the bats. Do not touch the formations or the walls and do not pick up stones from the path. Pets are not allowed inside the cave and can only wait at the entrance. Barbecues, picnics and camping are forbidden in the car park and around the cave. Inside it is 9–12 °C: bring a jacket and suitable shoes.
- Facilities
Car and coach park · toilets · picnic area · restaurant and accommodation nearby · campsite next to the cave · souvenir shop · cash only · via ferrata and climbing routes in the area
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