About Zeicu Cave
Zeicu Cave lies in the Retezat Mountains, on the slope above the Scorota Valley, in the Jiul de Vest basin, at about 1,260 m above sea level. It is part of Retezat National Park and since 2000 has been a nature reserve and natural monument, for its variety of stalagmitic formations and its rich palaeontological material. The name comes from the outlaw Zeicu, who is said to have hidden here from the posse; rusty flintlocks found in the cave back up the legend. Before the reserve was declared, the first section served locals as a shelter for flocks.
It is a mixed cave, with horizontal development almost as great as the vertical, formed by the joining of a hillside cave with a vertical void. The upper hall and the shaft were discovered by a team from the "Focul Viu" Caving Circle, who climbed the chimney, and the cave's plan was drawn up by I. Povară and revised in 1980.
What can be seen
From the path on the slope, the entrance only comes into view on the last stretch of the climb: a 6 × 8 m portal in the limestone wall. Inside, a scree slope descends into a hall 50 m long, with a floor of clay and boulders and a ceiling pierced by short chimneys. Beyond the chimney comes a tall hall with flowstone, cascades of moonmilk and cave bear remains set in calcite, from which a huge Ursus spelaeus skull was recovered. From it opens the shaft, where conical stalactites hang, among them one of the largest in the country.
Good to know
The cave is not on the list of caves equipped for speleotourism and has no officially approved visiting regulation, so tourist activities inside it are illegal. The chimney at the entrance to the upper hall and the shaft are dangerous passages that call for caving technique. The path climbs steeply up the slope, and the entrance is about 40 minutes from the Scorota stream.
Information verified on 31 October 2026.
- The 6 × 8 m portal in the limestone wall, visible only from the last stretch of the path on the slope.
- The entrance hall, 50 m long, with a ceiling pierced by short chimneys and corrosion bells.
- The upper hall, with cascades of moonmilk and cave bear remains set in the calcite floor.
- The shaft with conical stalactites, among them one of the largest in the country.
- The short canyon on the Scorota Valley, which the access path runs through.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: on the DN 66A, from Câmpu lui Neag ~14 km (~18 minutes) west, to where the Scorota Valley branches off from the road; from Uricani ~23 km (~30 minutes); from Petroșani ~49 km (~1 h 10 min), via Vulcan, Lupeni and Uricani. From the confluence of Scocul Mare with the Scorota Valley, a wide path follows the valley for ~500 m (~15 minutes), through a short canyon passage. Then a path, barely visible at first, branches off to the left and climbs steeply in switchbacks for about 80 m, before following the contour northwards above some limestone ledges; from here the entrance can be seen. From the Scorota stream to the cave is ~40 minutes. The route marked with a yellow dot towards the Scorota Saddle and Buta Chalet also climbs the Scorota Valley.
- Rules
The cave lies in Retezat National Park, where tourists may move only along marked trails; tourist activities inside the cave are illegal. For the whole cavity, caving descriptions list two ropes (60 m and 20 m), blockers and descenders, 2–3 pitons or ~50 m of caving ladder, helmets with head torches, a carbide reserve and warm clothing. Leave no litter and light no fires.
- Facilities
No facilities in the cave · a resting and camping spot at the confluence of Scocul Mare with the Scorota Valley, the last point with drinking water
Frequently asked questions about Zeicu Cave
How long does a visit to Zeicu Cave take?
A visit to Zeicu Cave takes about 5½ – 6 hours (4–8 hours for a trained group).
Can you visit Zeicu Cave with kids?
No, Zeicu Cave is not recommended for visits with children (chimney and shaft, no tourist access).
How do I get to Zeicu Cave?
Zeicu Cave is located at Scorota Valley, by the DN 66A, about 14 km west of the village of Câmpu lui Neag, Câmpu lui Neag, Hunedoara County. More under “Getting there”
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