Thieves' Cave (Peștera Hoților)
About Thieves' Cave (Peștera Hoților)
Peștera Hoților, known to everyone as Grota Haiducilor (the Outlaws' Grotto), lies in Băile Herculane, at the foot of the right-hand slope of the Cerna Valley, behind the Hotel Roman. It is about 143 m long and opens towards the valley through wide portals that let daylight in; the floor is almost level. The name comes from local legends about outlaws and thieves who are said to have hidden here, in a spot that overlooked the access route.
The cave is an archaeological site listed as a historic monument (code CS-I-s-B-10772). Excavations showed that it was inhabited as early as the Middle Palaeolithic and uncovered traces from the Palaeolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age, as well as Roman vessels and coins. On the walls, visitors have left their names since the 19th century; the oldest dated signature is from 1820.
What you can see
From the path by the road, a long concrete staircase climbs to the entrance. The first chamber, the brightest, is the Signature Hall, its walls covered in old inscriptions. A linking gallery leads towards the excavation hall, and further on to higher spaces and more secluded corners, where a torch is needed. The openings facing the valley look out over the wooded slope of the Cerna.
Good to know
The floor can be very slippery, so shoes with good grip and a torch are advisable. The path can be continued towards the Steam Grotto (Grota cu Aburi), a smaller cave higher up the slope.
Information verified on 31 October 2026.
- The long concrete staircase that climbs from behind the Hotel Roman to the mouth of the cave.
- The Signature Hall, its walls covered in names and dates left by visitors, the oldest from 1820.
- The wide portals that let daylight into the first galleries.
- The excavation hall, where archaeologists found traces of habitation from the Palaeolithic to the Roman period.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Băile Herculane is ~26 km from Orșova (~35 minutes), ~51 km from Drobeta-Turnu Severin (~1 hour), ~80 km from Caransebeș (~1 h 20 min) and ~190 km from Timișoara (~3 hours). The resort is reached by the main road that climbs the Cerna Valley; the cave is ~3 km from Hercules Square, behind the Hotel Roman, off Strada Română.
On foot: from Hercules Square it is ~600 m to the Hotel Roman, then about 5 minutes up the concrete staircase to the entrance.
- Rules
The cave is a historic monument: the old inscriptions are worth preserving, and adding new graffiti damages an archaeological site. A torch helps in the dark corners, and shoes with good grip suit the slippery floor. Do not leave litter.
- Facilities
No facilities in the cave
Frequently asked questions about Thieves' Cave (Peștera Hoților)
How long does a visit to Thieves' Cave (Peștera Hoților) take?
A visit to Thieves' Cave (Peștera Hoților) takes about 30 min (the climb and a walk through the cave).
Can you visit Thieves' Cave (Peștera Hoților) with kids?
Yes, Thieves' Cave (Peștera Hoților) is suitable for children (concrete staircase, slippery floor).
How do I get to Thieves' Cave (Peștera Hoților)?
Thieves' Cave (Peștera Hoților) is located at Strada Română, behind the Hotel Roman, Băile Herculane, Caraș-Severin County. More under “Getting there”
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