The most beautiful natural sites to discover West

Near the village of Topleţ, in the south of the city by going to Orşova, the Sphinx (Sfinxul Bănăţean) is set, a curious rock formation reminiscent of that of the guardian of the Egyptian Pyramids.

A gigantic-year-old tree standing in front of the city's history museum.

Along the road from Cluj to Oradea, then through the Pădurea Craiului mountains, the gorge forms a rich geological and fossil reserve, covering over 220 ha. It is also home to an abundance of wildlife and offers superb forest landscapes, made up of karst reliefs and steep cliffs. This is where the Criș Repede rises. Very accessible hikes are possible here, departing from Vadu Crișului and Șuncuiuș. They offer beautiful panoramic views.

Located along the Cerna River, it covers an area of 61,121 ha. There are 1,051 plant species, including the endemic Turkish hazel and Banat black pine. there are 1,500 species of butterfly, as well as animal species such as the horned viper, wildcat, wolf and bear. Three types of habitat are represented: aquatic, terrestrial and underground. There are many caves and caverns, and a wealth of cave-dwelling fauna. It's a magnificent park, yet rarely visited. A variety of activities can be enjoyed here, including canyoning and rafting in the sublime Cerna valley. There's also plenty of scope for hiking, in a hilly landscape culminating at 1,105 m. There are a dozen signposted trails for all levels. You'll find a detailed map at the visitor center at the southern exit of Băile Herculane (strada Uzinei 9), which also features an exhibition on the park's natural riches. Below are the hikes we recommend.

Băile Herculane-Izvorul Munk-Foișorul Roșu-Băile Herculane (blue triangles): a 4 km walk accessible to all, offering beautiful views over the city.

Băile Herculane-Crucea Alba-Vârful Domogled Mare-Cheile Feregari-Băile Herculane (yellow markers): a beautiful 5-6h hike that takes you into the heart of the national park, with an ascent of 890 m. The path goes deep into the forest and offers superb views.

The highest point in the Banat mountain range, with the Piatra Goznei peak at 1,447 m, the Semenic Mountains are perfect for hikes accessible to all. The Semenic-Caraș Gorges National Park covers an area of 36,624 ha. It is characterized by vast beech and fir forests distributed between modest river valleys and peaks over 1,200 m in altitude, peaks, dolines, gorges, plateaus, but also orchards and pastures. The altitude is therefore quite low, and Mediterranean influences are evident. There are 1,086 species of Mediterranean and Balkan plants living side by side. Invertebrates include 56 endemic species and 45 rare species. Vertebrate species include the horned viper, Europe's most venomous species, and birds of prey such as the short-toed eagle and the spotted eagle. Ten mammal species have been counted, including wolf, Carpathian deer and lynx. The park also boasts numerous caves, home to many endemic species. Interesting sites include the beautiful beech forest of the Izvoarele Nerei reserve and the Comarnic cave. The latter is located to the north of the Anina Mountains, on the left side of the Comarnic Valley, at 440 m altitude. It is the longest cave in the region (4,040 m). Its galleries are large and rich in stalagmites, the spectacle of which never fails to delight visitors.

This is one of the longest caves in the country (over 4 km), formed in the karst of the Apuseni Mountains. Traces of Palaeolithic and Neolithic occupation have been found here, as well as the skeleton of a cave bear. Today, it's renowned for its rich cave fauna, including a large colony of bats, butterflies and spiders. It is a protected nature reserve. It also features some particularly impressive concretions. Visits are made in the presence of a guide.

The Vadu Cave Crișului, arranged for tourists, is crossed by a stream which, at the exit, falls in cascade. It can be reached by a nice 30-minute walk from the village of Vadu Crișului, following a forest path (marked with a red circle) that runs along the river. Not far, in the village of Șuncuiuș, the wind cave (peștera vântului) is the longest in the country (almost 52 km of galleries!). Crossed by an underground river, it undergoes permanent erosion. It lends itself to caving (e.g. with Aventura Trekking).

If you have to visit only one, this is it! The Bear Cave(peștera Urșilor), of rare beauty and speleological richness, stretches for over 1 km in length. It houses, on two levels, three vast galleries of evocatively shaped stalactites and stalagmites, as well as traces of fossils belonging to species that became extinct over 15,000 years ago! The cave owes its name to the remains of cave bears discovered here in 1975. It lies just outside the village of Chișcău, 23 km from Beiuș.