# Unguru Mare Cave

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

> A cave with an entrance more than 30 m high facing the Crișul Repede, reached over a suspension bridge and inhabited by people as far back as the Neolithic.

**At a glance:** Caves in Șuncuiuș, Bihor County. Ticket: 20 lei. The visit takes 30 min. Information verified on 28 September 2026.

## Key facts

- **Opening hours:** The cave is listed as temporarily closed for refurbishment (custodian, July 2025), with no reopening date published as of 28 September 2026: ring ahead. The usual hours published by Bihor County Council: April–June and September–October, Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00–18:00; July–August, Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–18:00. From 1 November to 31 March the cave is closed so as not to disturb the hibernating bats.
- **Ticket:** 20 lei — children 5–14: 10 lei
- **Visit duration:** 30 min — guided tour
- **With kids:** Yes — short, level route; 9–12 °C
- **Best season:** April – October — closed Nov–Mar (bats)
- **Address:** Left bank of the Crișul Repede, between Bălnaca and Șuncuiuș: local road off the DJ 108I, then a suspension bridge over the river, Șuncuiuș, Bihor County
- **Coordinates:** 46.93247, 22.54742
- **Phone:** +40 749 303 111
- **Website:** https://padureacraiului.ro/pestera-unguru-mare-2/
- **Wikipedia:** https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pe%C8%99tera_Unguru_Mare
- **Wikidata:** https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18548874
- **Categories:** [Caves](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/pesteri)

## 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.

## Don't miss

- 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

## Details

- **Total length:** 554 m
- **Altitude:** 307 m
- **Developed and lit:** Yes
- **Guided visits only:** Yes

## Frequently asked questions about Unguru Mare Cave

**How much is a ticket to Unguru Mare Cave?**

A ticket to Unguru Mare Cave costs 20 lei (children 5–14: 10 lei). 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.

**How long does a visit to Unguru Mare Cave take?**

A visit to Unguru Mare Cave takes about 30 min (guided tour).

**Can you visit Unguru Mare Cave with kids?**

Yes, Unguru Mare Cave is suitable for children (short, level route; 9–12 °C).

**How do I get to Unguru Mare Cave?**

Unguru Mare Cave is located at Left bank of the Crișul Repede, between Bălnaca and Șuncuiuș: local road off the DJ 108I, then a suspension bridge over the river, Șuncuiuș, Bihor County. 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.

**When is the best time to visit Unguru Mare Cave?**

The best season for Unguru Mare Cave: April – October (closed Nov–Mar (bats)).

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Last updated: 28 September 2026
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