Turda Salt Mine and the Apuseni Mountains

In western Transylvania, close to Cluj, you can combine one of the world's most spectacular salt mines with one of Romania's most beautiful mountain ranges. It is a route that blends the underground with wild nature.

Turda Salt Mine

Turda Salt Mine is a centuries-old salt mine transformed into an astonishing attraction. The vast underground chambers hold a Ferris wheel, sports courts, an amphitheatre and, on the lower level, an underground lake you can row across by boat. The stable, salt-rich microclimate is also used therapeutically (speleotherapy).

• It is cold inside (around 12 °C) — bring a jacket, even in summer.
• Check the schedule and tickets on site or online in season.

The Apuseni Mountains

South-west of Turda stretch the Apuseni Mountains, a gentle karst range with caves, gorges, scattered villages and extensive forests. They are among the most authentic rural areas in the country.

Scărișoara Cave

Scărișoara Cave holds one of the largest underground glaciers in South-East Europe — a mass of ice thousands of years old, in a cave open to visitors (with steps down). It is impressive in any season.

Turda Gorge (Cheile Turzii)

Near Turda, the Turda Gorge is a spectacular limestone defile carved by the river, with steep walls and marked trails. It is a nature reserve popular for easy hiking and climbing.

How to combine them

• Good base: Turda, Cluj-Napoca, or a guesthouse in the Apuseni.
• A classic route: Turda Salt Mine + Turda Gorge in one day, then a day deep in the mountains for Scărișoara and the karst villages.
• Mountain roads are narrow and slow — allow time and drive carefully.

Tips

• Good footwear for the gorge and caves (wet paths, steps).
• Caves are cold year-round — dress in layers.
• Check cave accessibility in advance (some may have seasonal restrictions).
• The area has guesthouse accommodation and excellent home cooking.