Padiș Plateau

About Padiș Plateau

Padiș is an almost flat plain at an average altitude of 1,225 m in the Bihor Mountains, the northern range of the Apuseni Mountains. No river flows across the plateau: rain and meltwater drain away through hundreds of sinkholes, some with ponds, others with clumps of spruce, and only come back to the surface in Poiana Ponor or in the Boga valley. Around it rise Măgura Vânătă to the north, Muntele Boghii to the west and the peak of Biserica Moțului (1,458 m) to the east, while the hills are covered with limestone pavements and woods.

The area is the best-known hiking destination in Apuseni Natural Park, run by Romsilva, the state forestry agency, and part of the plain is a nature reserve protected for its flora. Padiș is more a starting point than a sight in itself: this is where the marked long-distance trails crossing the park from north to south meet the loops leading to the most spectacular karst landscapes in the Apuseni.

Information verified on 21 October 2026.

Good to know before you go

Getting there

By car: from Oradea take the DN76 (E79) via Beiuș to Sudrigiu, then the county road through Pietroasa and Boga to Cabana Padiș: ~110 km, ~2h30. From Pietroasa it is ~20 km of mountain road. From Cluj-Napoca, the route via Huedin, Răchițele and Ic Ponor has its Ic Ponor – Padiș section closed for upgrading until 1 December 2026; until then the detour via Oradea or Beiuș is ~185 km (~4 hours). Poiana Glăvoi, the camping area where several trails start, is a few kilometres from the chalet on a forest road.

On foot: the main access trail is the blue-cross route from the village of Pietroasa, via Boga, to Cabana Padiș: 22 km, 5–5½ hours. From the chalet, according to the park administration: the Cetățile Ponorului loop (blue dot) is 12 km and about 5 hours, the Galbena loop (yellow dot) 19 km and about 10 hours, the Groapa de la Barsa loop (yellow stripe) 7 km and 3–3½ hours, the Măgura Vânătă loop (yellow triangle) 8.5 km and about 3 hours, and the Lumea Pierdută loop (yellow cross) 7.5 km and 2–2½ hours. Starting from Poiana Glăvoi, the Cetățile and Galbena loops are 1–2 hours shorter.

Public transport: no scheduled service up to the Padiș Plateau is known. The nearest town with regular public transport is Beiuș, from where you need a car.

Where to park

Leave the car at Cabana Padiș or in Poiana Glăvoi, where the trails start. There is no published parking fee; Pietroasa town hall charges a camping fee in Glăvoi for tents and caravans. On summer weekends the spaces around the chalet fill up quickly.

Fees & discounts

There is no fee for access to the plateau and the marked trails: the official price list of Apuseni Natural Park (2018, the latest published) sets none. The same list sets 15 lei per person for the Galbena Canyon (Cheile Galbenei) and for caves where visits are allowed. Camping in Glăvoi: ~20 lei per tent per day and ~40 lei for a caravan (Pietroasa town hall fee, as reported by the local press in 2025). Accommodation at Cabana Padiș and in the guesthouses nearby has its own prices.

Rules

The plateau lies within Apuseni Natural Park and part of it is a nature reserve: stay on the marked trails, do not pick plants, do not light fires outside designated places and take your rubbish with you. Camping is only allowed at designated sites, such as Poiana Glăvoi. Entering caves that are not open to the public requires a permit from the park administration, as do commercial photography and filming. The Cetățile Ponorului, Galbena and Pietrele Boghii loops are closed in winter and have steep sections with ladders and chains; bring walking boots with good grip, rain gear and a map, as it is easy to get lost in fog. In an emergency call 112 or Salvamont mountain rescue (0SALVAMONT, 0725 826 668); Salvamont has a base at Padiș and a post in Glăvoi.

Facilities

Cabana Padiș, with rooms and meals · guesthouses and a camping area at Padiș · in Poiana Glăvoi: camping area, Salvamont post, drinking water and food kiosks · Salvamont base next to Cabana Padiș · the trails are not pushchair- or wheelchair-accessible · weak or no mobile signal on the trails