TURDA

In the round, 30 km southeast of Cluj, was in the mid-sixteenth century. the seat of the seven-hour parliament; today it is a small market town with several magnificent baroque and Hungarian buildings. Above all, however, it is worth coming here for the Turda gorge (Cheile Turzii), 9 km to the west, which can be reached on foot or by bus.

The Turda gorge

Short, but the incredibly beautiful Turda gorge cuts through the granite mountains southwest of Turda. You can walk it in less than an hour and stay for a night or two, to penetrate several nearby routes marked on the map in front of the restaurant at the hostel.

The two-hour route marked in the gorge with red crosses is very attractive, followed by red dots, climbing steeply uphill, to then go down to the shelter.

You can also go from the gorge to Cluj on a very steep climb marked with red stripes - the trail through Deleni and the Faget campsite (on the outskirts of Cluj). The board says, that you will need this 29-kilometer route 10 hours, but better to tune in to 12.

Night and gastronomy

The only hotel in Turda is the modest Potaissa (tel.311625) in Republic Square. Single / double costs here 14/22 $. Better to pitch a tent for free in a grassy valley at the northern end of the ravine. You can also camp in the noisy Cheile Turzii hut on the south side (2,50 $ for a tent or 12 $ per person in a room in the main building). The restaurant next door serves simple meals.

Journey

Three buses a day run from Piata Stefan cel Mare in Cluj to Turda (less often on weekends). The last of Turda returns approx. 17.30.

You can walk from Turda to the gorge in 2,5 time. You follow the signs from Piata Republicii to Cimpeni; 1 km past the village of Mihai Viteazu you need to turn right at the sign "Cheile Turzii”, from where to the destination still remains 5 km. The asphalt road leads steeply up past the quarry to the fork, where you should turn left. After heavy rains it is better not to go here by car.

Who doesn't feel like taking such a long walk, can take a bus from Piata Republicii to Coronesja or Cimpeni and get off at the fork after Mihai Viteazu.