Topolnița Cave
About Topolnița Cave
Topolnița Cave lies in the middle of the Mehedinți Plateau, between the villages of Marga and Cireșu, where the Topolnița river goes underground among huge limestone boulders. With more than 20 km of surveyed passages, it is one of the longest caves in Romania. The passages are stacked on four levels, two fossil, one sub-fossil and one active, carved by water, and open to the outside through several mouths: Gura Prosacului, Gaura lui Ciocârdie, Peștera Femeii and those at Găurinți.
The cave appears in documents from 1880, and the first serious exploration was carried out in 1956 by Sever Popescu of Turnu Severin. From 1962 it was studied systematically by specialists from the "Emil Racoviță" Institute of Speleology, and its exploration is not yet complete. Traces of Neolithic habitation have been found in the passages. The best-known part is the Racoviță Gallery, about 1,570 m long and rich in calcite formations.
What you can see
The interior is not developed and cannot be visited freely. From outside, however, you can see its most spectacular spot: the Gura Prosacului portal, where the Topolnița disappears beneath the limestone wall at the end of a short gorge. An easy trail marked with a red triangle leads there from the La Varnițe clearing, next to the DJ 607B: it descends through the forest to the river meadow and follows it to the portal, with a few river crossings. You can return on the path marked with a yellow dot, past the entrance of Peștera Femeii.
Good to know
The cave is part of the Cheile Topolniței and Peștera Topolnița protected area, within the Mehedinți Plateau Geopark, and has no tourist route. Entry is allowed only with an authorisation from the Speleological Heritage Commission, issued to caving clubs and organisers who go with a guide and equipment, in small groups and with a limited number of entries. The Peștera Femeii sector is closed from 1 December to 31 March, for bat hibernation, and from 1 June to 30 July, the maternity period. The trail to Gura Prosacului is not recommended when the river is high.
Nearby, free to visit, are God's Bridge and the Ponoarele karst complex, and on the Danube, Ponicova Cave and Veterani Cave.
Information verified on 31 October 2026.
- The Gura Prosacului portal, where the Topolnița river goes underground among huge limestone boulders.
- The marked trail from the La Varnițe clearing, through the Topolnița meadow, to the gorge at Gura Prosacului.
- The entrance of Peștera Femeii, on the return path marked with a yellow dot.
- God's Bridge and the Ponoarele karst complex, less than an hour's drive away.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Drobeta-Turnu Severin, on the DJ 607B towards Cireșu and Marga, ~32 km (~40 min); the La Varnițe clearing, where the trail starts, is about 3 km past Cireșu, towards Marga. From Ponoarele (God's Bridge) ~34 km (~40 min), on the DJ 670 and DJ 607B; from Orșova ~30 km (~50 min); from Ponicova Cave ~56 km (~1 h 30 min).
- Rules
The cave is a protected area: entry is allowed only with an authorisation from the Speleological Heritage Commission, with a guide, helmet, torch and caving equipment. On the outdoor trail stay on the marked path, wear footwear that can get wet, do not disturb the bats at the entrances, do not light fires and do not leave litter.
- Facilities
No facilities in the cave · information board at La Varnițe
Frequently asked questions about Topolnița Cave
How long does a visit to Topolnița Cave take?
A visit to Topolnița Cave takes about ½ – 1 hours (the trail to Gura Prosacului).
Can you visit Topolnița Cave with kids?
Yes, Topolnița Cave is suitable for children (outdoor trail only, with fords).
How do I get to Topolnița Cave?
Topolnița Cave is located at next to the DJ 607B, between Cireșu and Marga; the trail starts from the La Varnițe clearing, Cireșu, Mehedinți County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Topolnița Cave?
The best season for Topolnița Cave: May – October (avoid days with high water).
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