Padiș is a karst plateau in the Apuseni Natural Park, with meadows, sinkholes, karst springs and caves, and the starting point of several waymarked trails.
The plateau
The plateau lies at an average altitude of about 1200 m and covers around 70 km². It is a reserve within the Apuseni Natural Park. Cabana Padiș, the mountain hut where most trails begin, is at 1280 m.
From the plateau you can reach Cetățile Ponorului, on the trail waymarked with a blue dot through Glăvoi, and the Galbena Gorges. Allow a full day for each.
Getting there from the guesthouse
By car, on asphalt, it is about 63 km, along county road DJ763 between Pietroasa and Răchițele. For hikers, a waymarked trail also runs from Vârtop to Padiș; check the state of the forest road that links Vârtop directly to the plateau before you set off.
Good to know
- Camp only at the designated sites, such as Glăvoi, where there is also a Salvamont mountain rescue post.
- Some trails, including the one to Cetățile Ponorului, are off-limits in winter.