# Padiș Plateau

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

> A karst plateau at around 1,200 m in the heart of Apuseni Natural Park, with meadows, sinkholes and spruce forest. Marked trails lead from Cabana Padiș to Cetățile Ponorului, the Galbena Gorge and Groapa de la Barsa.

**At a glance:** National parks and reserves in Pietroasa, Bihor County. Opening hours: daily open 24 hours. Ticket: Free. The visit takes 7½ – 8 hours. Information verified on 21 October 2026.

## Key facts

- **Opening hours:** daily open 24 hours — An open-air area with no opening hours and no ticket desk. The Cetățile Ponorului (blue dot), Galbena (yellow dot) and Pietrele Boghii (red dot) loops are closed in winter, according to the Apuseni Natural Park Administration; other trails can only be done in winter on touring skis. In Groapa de la Barsa snow lingers until late May. From 10 July to 1 December 2026 the Padiș – Ic Ponor road (from the Cluj side) is closed for upgrading; drive in from Pietroasa instead.
- **Ticket:** Free — no park entry fee
- **Visit duration:** 7½ – 8 hours — a day on a marked loop
- **With kids:** Yes — short trails near the chalet
- **Best season:** June – October — snow until late May
- **Address:** Cabana Padiș, on the DJ763, ~20 km from the village of Pietroasa, Pietroasa, Bihor County
- **Coordinates:** 46.59569, 22.73383
- **Phone:** +40 372 702 242
- **Website:** https://www.parcapuseni.ro/turism/obiective-turistice/81-sesul-si-cabana-padis
- **Wikipedia:** https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padi%C8%99
- **Wikidata:** https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11802168
- **Categories:** [National parks and reserves](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/parcuri-nationale-si-rezervatii), [Mountains and trails](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/munti-si-trasee)

## 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.

### What you can see

Next to Cabana Padiș, a short climb up Biserica Moțului shows you the whole plateau, the wooded slope of Măgura Vânătă and, to the east, the Biharia massif. To the south-west, Poiana Ponor is a meadow with a stream that rises from a karst spring and vanishes into the ground again. The Galbena loop runs through the Galbena Gorge, with the Evantai waterfall, past the Focul Viu ice cave and through Poiana Florilor. Groapa de la Barsa is a wild hollow full of sinkholes, where snow lingers until late May. From Pietrele Boghii you look down on the plain, and the Lumea Pierdută plateau has potholes that are easy to see from a short trail.

### Good to know

The trails are long and some have steep sections with ladders and chains; the Cetățile Ponorului and Galbena loops are closed in winter. Camping is only allowed at designated sites, such as Poiana Glăvoi. Mobile signal is weak in many places.

## Don't miss

- The view from the peak of Biserica Moțului (1,458 m), a short climb from Cabana Padiș, over the whole plateau and towards the Biharia massif.
- Poiana Ponor, with the stream that rises from a karst spring and disappears into the ground again, on the way to Cetățile Ponorului.
- The Galbena Gorge and the Evantai waterfall, on the loop marked with a yellow dot.
- Groapa de la Barsa, a wild hollow full of sinkholes, on the yellow-stripe loop from Cabana Padiș.
- The viewpoint on Pietrele Boghii, an hour's walk from the Padiș forestry lodge.

## 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

## Details

- **Protected area type:** nature reserve
- **Part of:** Apuseni Natural Park
- **Difficulty:** easy to hard
- **Trail marking:** blue dot, yellow dot, yellow stripe, blue cross
- **Mountain range:** Bihor Mountains

## Frequently asked questions about Padiș Plateau

**How much is a ticket to Padiș Plateau?**

Admission to Padiș Plateau is free (no park entry fee). 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.

**What are the opening hours of Padiș Plateau?**

Opening hours at Padiș Plateau: daily open 24 hours. An open-air area with no opening hours and no ticket desk. The Cetățile Ponorului (blue dot), Galbena (yellow dot) and Pietrele Boghii (red dot) loops are closed in winter, according to the Apuseni Natural Park Administration; other trails can only be done in winter on touring skis. In Groapa de la Barsa snow lingers until late May. From 10 July to 1 December 2026 the Padiș – Ic Ponor road (from the Cluj side) is closed for upgrading; drive in from Pietroasa instead.

**How long does a visit to Padiș Plateau take?**

A visit to Padiș Plateau takes about 7½ – 8 hours (a day on a marked loop).

**Can you visit Padiș Plateau with kids?**

Yes, Padiș Plateau is suitable for children (short trails near the chalet).

**How do I get to Padiș Plateau?**

Padiș Plateau is located at Cabana Padiș, on the DJ763, ~20 km from the village of Pietroasa, Pietroasa, Bihor County. 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.

**When is the best time to visit Padiș Plateau?**

The best season for Padiș Plateau: June – October (snow until late May).

## Nearby attractions

- [Cetățile Ponorului](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/cetatile-ponorului) — Caves · Bihor County · Free · 3½ – 4 hours · Top 100 · 6 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.
- [Focul Viu Ice Cave](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/pestera-ghetarul-de-la-focul-viu) — Caves · Pietroasa, BH · Free · 6 km
  An ice cave in the forests of the Galbena Valley near Padiș, reached on foot along a marked trail. Around midday, light pours in through a hole in the roof and falls on the ice.
- [Vârtop Cave](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/pestera-ghetarul-de-la-vartop) — Caves · Casa de Piatră, AB · 15 lei · 9 km
  An undeveloped cave in the Bihor Mountains, with ice at the entrance and white formations, where a Neanderthal footprint at least 62,000 years old was found in 1974.
- [Coiba Mare Cave](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/pestera-coiba-mare) — Caves · Casa de Piatră, AB · Free · 10 km
  An undeveloped cave in the Bihor Mountains near Casa de Piatră: a huge portal, tens of metres high, through which the Gârdișoara stream vanishes underground.
- [Bohodei Waterfall](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/cascada-bohodei) — Waterfalls · Pietroasa, BH · Free · 6 – 6½ hours · 13 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.
- [Vârtop Pass](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/pasul-vartop) — Scenic roads · Bihor County · Free · 13 km
  The pass where the DN75 crosses the Bihor Mountains at 1,160 m, between Nucet and Arieșeni: the Vârtop holiday village, ski slopes and trails to Groapa Ruginoasă and Piatra Grăitoare.

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Last updated: 21 October 2026
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