# Moara Dracului Waterfall

[Romania](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/attractions) › [Crișana](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/region/crisana) › [Bihor County](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/county/bihor) › [Budureasa](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/locality/budureasa)

> A 20–25 m, two-tier waterfall hidden in a narrow valley of giant boulders and spruce on the western slope of the Vlădeasa massif; reached on foot from Stâna de Vale along a marked trail of about 8 km.

**At a glance:** Waterfalls in Budureasa, Bihor County. Opening hours: daily open 24 hours. Ticket: Free. The visit takes 5½ – 6 hours. Information verified on 4 October 2026.

## Key facts

- **Opening hours:** daily open 24 hours — The waterfall is in the open air and can be reached at any time; the trail is considered passable all year, but in winter, with snow, it is much harder and needs winter gear. Plan your start so that you are back in Stâna de Vale before dark.
- **Ticket:** Free
- **Visit duration:** 5½ – 6 hours — return hike from Stâna de Vale
- **With kids:** No — long trail, steep finish
- **Best season:** May – October — strongest flow in spring
- **Address:** Moara Dracului valley, about 8 km from Stâna de Vale along the blue-cross trail (starting next to the Iadolina Hotel), Budureasa, Bihor County
- **Coordinates:** 46.68654, 22.70225
- **Wikipedia:** https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascada_Moara_Dracului_(Vl%C4%83deasa)
- **Wikidata:** https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12723591
- **Categories:** [Waterfalls](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/cascade), [Mountains and trails](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/munti-si-trasee)

## 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.

## Don't miss

- 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

## Details

- **Drop height:** 20 m
- **Watercourse:** Moara Dracului stream
- **Walk to the waterfall:** 8 km from Stâna de Vale
- **Trail length:** 8 km
- **Elevation gain:** 650 m
- **Difficulty:** moderate
- **Trail marking:** blue cross
- **Mountain range:** Vlădeasa

## Frequently asked questions about Moara Dracului Waterfall

**How much is a ticket to Moara Dracului Waterfall?**

Admission to Moara Dracului Waterfall is free. Access to the waterfall and the trail is free.

**What are the opening hours of Moara Dracului Waterfall?**

Opening hours at Moara Dracului Waterfall: daily open 24 hours. The waterfall is in the open air and can be reached at any time; the trail is considered passable all year, but in winter, with snow, it is much harder and needs winter gear. Plan your start so that you are back in Stâna de Vale before dark.

**How long does a visit to Moara Dracului Waterfall take?**

A visit to Moara Dracului Waterfall takes about 5½ – 6 hours (return hike from Stâna de Vale).

**Can you visit Moara Dracului Waterfall with kids?**

No, Moara Dracului Waterfall is not recommended for visits with children (long trail, steep finish).

**How do I get to Moara Dracului Waterfall?**

Moara Dracului Waterfall is located at Moara Dracului valley, about 8 km from Stâna de Vale along the blue-cross trail (starting next to the Iadolina Hotel), Budureasa, Bihor County. 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.

**When is the best time to visit Moara Dracului Waterfall?**

The best season for Moara Dracului Waterfall: May – October (strongest flow in spring).

## Nearby attractions

- [Bohodei Waterfall](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/cascada-bohodei) — Waterfalls · Pietroasa, BH · Free · 6 – 6½ hours · 8 km
  A waterfall of about 80 m on the Bohodei stream, below the peak of the same name, regarded as the tallest in the Apuseni Mountains; reached on a demanding loop from Pietroasa with chain-equipped rock sections.
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- [Vălul Miresei Waterfall](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/cascada-valul-miresei) — Waterfalls · Răchițele, CJ · Free · ½ – 1 hours · Top 100 · 13 km
  A roughly 30 m, two-tiered waterfall at the foot of the Vlădeasa massif, on the Stanciului valley near Răchițele; the water fans out over the rock like a veil, and in winter the frozen wall is an ice-climbing spot.
- [Iadolina Waterfall](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/cascada-iadolina) — Waterfalls · Budureasa, BH · Free · 30 min · 16 km
  A multi-tiered waterfall on the Iad Valley, tumbling between huge boulders right beside the road from Stâna de Vale to Lake Leșu; you see it from a metal viewing platform or from below, by the water.
- [Focul Viu Ice Cave](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/pestera-ghetarul-de-la-focul-viu) — Caves · Pietroasa, BH · Free · 16 km
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- [Cetățile Ponorului](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/cetatile-ponorului) — Caves · Bihor County · Free · 3½ – 4 hours · Top 100 · 18 km
  A karst complex on the Padiș Plateau: three huge sinkholes with walls over 200 m high and a portal over 70 m tall where the Cetăților stream vanishes into the mountain. Seen from a marked hiking loop, not a show cave.

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Last updated: 4 October 2026
Source: Pe Plaiuri (https://peplaiuri.ro/en) — Guide to tourist attractions in Romania