Mărgău Commune: Waterfall, Caves and Hiking Routes

Vălul Miresei Waterfall is on the Valea Stanciului in the area of the village of Răchițele, in Mărgău Commune. Răchițele lies at the foot of the Vlădeasa Mountains, between the karst landscape of the Bihor Mountains and the volcanic rocks of Vlădeasa. The waterfall cascades down three tiers over a depth of about 30 metres. The Valea Stanciului and the waterfall form a nature reserve of county-level importance.

Nature between the waterfall and protected areas

Piatra Arsă is also a nature reserve of county-level importance in the commune. Peștera Vârfurașu is a nature reserve of national importance. Specialised equipment or an expert guide may be required to access this cave. In winter, the frozen cliff face at the waterfall is suitable for ice climbing; conditions and safety requirements vary.

Hiking routes with different time and elevation profiles

Circuitul Răchițele is an easy 12.5-kilometre loop with 450 metres of elevation gain; it takes four to five hours. The route passes the village's Orthodox church and reaches the Valea Stanciului near the village centre. This links getting your bearings in the village with a hike along the valley route.

Circuitul Pietrelor Albe is a moderately difficult six-kilometre loop with 530 metres of elevation gain. The ascent is listed as taking four to five hours. From Răchițele, the route can be reached via the Valea Stanciului; it passes Vălul Miresei Waterfall and heads towards Valea Seacă. This should be distinguished from the easy out-and-back hike from the centre of Răchițele, via the waterfall to Pietrele Albe: this hike is listed as taking five to six hours in total. One time estimate is for the ascent, while the other is for the round trip.

Circuitul Grotelor is rated difficult and leads to Peștera Șușman. The route is 1.5 kilometres long, has 290 metres of elevation gain and takes 1.5 hours. The cave is named after Teodor Șușman, a leader of the anti-communist resistance. A viewpoint along the route offers views of the Lespezi escarpment and Valea Stanciului; suitable equipment is recommended for this trail.

The moderately difficult trail to Vf. Lespezi is 1.5 kilometres long and includes 250 metres of ascent and 70 metres of descent. It passes the entrance to Peștera Mică a Lespezilor and then descends to the road in Valea Stanciului. A detour of about 20 metres from the trail leads to a viewpoint overlooking Valea Stanciului, Vălul Miresei Waterfall, Falezele de Granit, the peak Vârful Piatra Arsă and the Vlădeasa ridge. The approximately 100-metre-long Peștera Mică a Lespezilor has an easily accessible main gallery and some fossil remains of cave bears.

Another option is the easy Doda Pilii–La Cuciulata–Răchițele connecting trail. Over six kilometres, it climbs 340 metres and descends 260 metres. The routes therefore differ not only in difficulty rating, but also in length, elevation profile and the type of walking time given. Seasonal trail conditions may vary; check current conditions before setting out.

Churches and local culture

The Orthodox church in the village of Mărgău dates from 1506. In Ciuleni, the wooden church “Sfinţii Arhangheli” was built from fir wood in 1707; the wooden church in Răchițele dates from 1911. The ethnographic collection of Răchițele is housed in a room at the village school. Its collection includes festive folk costumes for women and men, textiles displayed on the walls, household items and traditional furniture.

Getting there and other destinations

The commune can be reached from Cluj via the DN 1 (E 60). The connection to the national road is via the DJ 108C, which passes through Buteni, Mărgău, Scrind-Frăsinet, Răchițele and Doda-Pilii. As road conditions and restrictions may change, check the latest information before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Răchițele, Iara, Baciu, Sancraiu, Fizeșu Gherlii Commune, Rasca, Gârbău Commune, Măguri - Răcătău Commune.

Return to the main travel overview: Cluj-Napoca.