Uricani: Hiking Trails, Waterfalls and Cultural Routes

Uricani offers mountain hiking trails and themed trails with varying levels of difficulty. There are also cultural tourism routes, waterfalls, and opportunities for cycling and active tourism. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Uricani, you can start planning around the activities: a themed trail, a cultural route, and a challenging mountain hike each make different demands on your day.

Hiking to Waterfalls and Remarkable Landscapes

The themed trail to Cascada Sterminos starts at the access point on Strada Narciselor and passes through the Sterminos Valley. The forest track runs parallel to the Sterminos stream. Check trail conditions locally before planning your excursion.

Cascada Firizoni is at the end of Cheile Firizoni and is 12 meters high. To reach the waterfall, the trail enters and passes through the gorge. The two waterfall destinations therefore differ in the routes leading to them: at Cascada Sterminos, the forest track follows the stream, while access to Cascada Firizoni passes through the gorge.

Access to Scocul Urzicarului follows the DN 66A from Uricani toward Câmpușel, passing through Valea de Brazi and Câmpu lui Neag. Câmpul Mielului is the starting point for the trail. From there, the themed trail follows the dry valley of the Urzicarului stream, crosses the dry gorges it has formed, and leads to Scocul Urzicarului.

Cultural Routes and Traditions

Uricani is the starting point for the local cultural tourism route “Ținutul Momârlanilor” and the regional route “Drumul haiducului Neag.” Another route that starts in Uricani is the “Ruta culturală a bisericilor de lemn din Depresiunea Petroșani – Valea Jiului.” This route is part of the cross-border “Ruta Cultural Turistică a Bisericilor de lemn din România și Moldova.”

The Liliacului Trail offers a glimpse into the traditions of pastoralism, sheep farming, and beekeeping, which you can observe in Dodoconi and Valea de Brazi. Active tourism in Uricani also includes mountain running, ski touring, mountaineering, climbing, and mountain biking. Ecotourism in Uricani includes observing flora and fauna, gathering medicinal plants, and watching birds and wildlife.

Nature, Karst and Caves

The ROSCI0217 Retezat Natura 2000 site lies within the administrative territory of Uricani. Karst and limestone landforms cover approximately 18 percent of the area and extend for 41 kilometers from the Jiului de Vest area to Cernișoara.

The main caves in the upper reaches of the Jiului de Vest in the Uricani area are undeveloped. They feature great lengths, elevation differences, and varying levels of difficulty. They can only be visited with speleological equipment and a guide, so be sure to take this restriction into account when planning your excursion.

Cycling and Challenging Mountain Hikes

The “Uricani – Câmpu lui Neag – Câmpul Mielului – Câmpușel” tourist cycling route connects these four places. The roads to several of Uricani’s natural attractions have less traffic and are more suitable for cycling. Confirm the current signage and trail conditions locally.

The CG trail connects Uricani with Vârful Peleaga. This difficult hike takes about 11 to 14 hours and involves more than 3,000 meters of elevation gain. It is intended for experienced, well-equipped hikers. The trail is dangerous in winter; whether it is passable depends on the amount and condition of the snow.

The trail starts in the west of Uricani near the DN 66A, about 300 meters downstream from a protected spring in the direction of Petroșani and near the bridge over Pârâul Sterminos. When choosing your excursion, be sure to distinguish this challenging trail from the themed trails and cultural tourism routes: duration, elevation gain, equipment, and winter conditions all need to be taken into account.

Discover more destinations: Orăştie, Vața De Jos, Râu Bărbat, Geoagiu Băi, Gurasada, Râu De Mori, Brad, Hărău.

For the broader travel overview: Hunedoara.