Poarta lui Ionele Cave
About Poarta lui Ionele Cave
Poarta lui Ionele Cave opens on the right-hand slope of the Ordâncușa Valley, in the Bihor Mountains, a few kilometres from the centre of Gârda de Sus commune, on the road that climbs towards Scărișoara Ice Cave. It is cut into Triassic limestone, and the stream flowing out of it drops in small steps over tufa terraces just below the mouth of the cave. It was first reported in 1857 and was studied in 1921 by, among others, Emil Racoviță. Tourist development began in 1989, with a footbridge over the tufa cascades, a path and access stairs, and since 2011 the entrance has been reached by metal stairs and walkways.
The cave has about 386 m of passages, but only the main gallery can be visited; the narrower upper gallery is walled off to protect the bat colonies and the rest of the cave fauna. It has been a natural monument since 1999 and is part of Apuseni Natural Park, and since 1990 it has been run by Gârda de Sus town hall.
What you can see
The first impression comes from the portal, 22 m high, with the stream emerging from under the rubble and running over the stones. Inside, the main gallery zigzags along an active watercourse that flows all year round; after about 50 m you turn left and come to a small waterfall. Near the end of the route is a periodic lake, usually dry: after heavy rain or when snow melts, water fills it and can flood the floor. The colours of the walls show how high the water has risen over time.
Good to know
The entrance is closed by a metal gate, and visits are only with a guide, in a group. The stairs and walkways are wet, and near the waterfall spray reaches the steps: wear shoes with good grip. Cars cannot drive up to the cave: from the road you walk up over the footbridge beside the shingle-roofed hut.
Information verified on 31 October 2026.
- The 22 m high portal, from which the cave's stream emerges.
- The small tufa cascades at the entrance, crossed by the access footbridge.
- The small waterfall after the first bend of the gallery, about 50 m from the entrance.
- The periodic lake at the end of the route, which fills only after heavy rain or when snow melts.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from the DN 75 (Câmpeni – Arieșeni) you reach the centre of Gârda de Sus, then take the DJ 750 up towards Scărișoara Ice Cave for about 2 km, through the Ordâncușa Gorge; the cave is on the left of the road, next to a hut with a shingle roof. It is ~34 km from Câmpeni (~45 minutes), ~100 km from Cluj-Napoca (~2h10), ~110 km from Alba Iulia (~2h30) and ~135 km from Oradea (~2h40). Scărișoara Ice Cave is ~15 km further on (~20 minutes).
Public transport: minibuses along the DN 75 from Câmpeni reach Gârda de Sus; from there it is about 2 km on foot along the road towards Scărișoara.
- Where to park
There is no laid-out car park in front of the cave: cars are left at the side of the county road, and from there you walk up over the footbridge beside the shingle-roofed hut.
- Rules
Visits are only in groups formed at the entrance, accompanied by a cave guide. The upper gallery is closed to the public to protect the bat colonies. The cave is a natural monument: do not touch the formations, do not leave litter and keep noise down in the gallery. Wear shoes with good grip, as the stairs and walkways are wet.
- Facilities
Metal stairs and walkways with handrails · lighting in the visitable gallery · no laid-out car park · the route has stairs and is not pushchair- or wheelchair-accessible · guesthouses and places to eat in Gârda de Sus and Ghețari
Frequently asked questions about Poarta lui Ionele Cave
What are the opening hours of Poarta lui Ionele Cave?
Opening hours at Poarta lui Ionele Cave: daily 10:00 – 16:00. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Poarta lui Ionele Cave take?
A visit to Poarta lui Ionele Cave takes about 45 min (guided tour and the walk up).
Can you visit Poarta lui Ionele Cave with kids?
Yes, Poarta lui Ionele Cave is suitable for children (metal stairs, wet).
How do I get to Poarta lui Ionele Cave?
Poarta lui Ionele Cave is located at DJ 750, ~2 km from the centre of Gârda de Sus, towards Scărișoara, Gârda de Sus, Alba County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Poarta lui Ionele Cave?
The best season for Poarta lui Ionele Cave: All year round (wet stairs after rain and in spring).
Reviews
Other attractions nearby
The closest attractions to Poarta lui Ionele Cave, sorted by distance.
Top 1004 km from Poarta lui Ionele Cave
8 km from Poarta lui Ionele Cave
11 km from Poarta lui Ionele Cave
