Discover Tomești: the Bega, a cave and hiking trails

Tomești combines a landscape shaped by the Bega with hiking trails, a cave and historic churches, and is one of the settlements arranged from south to north along the course of the Bega. Local traditions and events add to its appeal. When planning your stay, you can focus on nature and culture while taking into account the municipality’s different villages and valleys.

The Bega landscape and Peștera cu apă

The area lies in the foothill zone along county road DJ 684. The upper Bega flows through the municipality across heavily forested terrain shaped by limestone and dolomite formations.

Peștera cu apă lies on the left slope of the Pustânii Valley in the village of Românești, within the municipality of Tomești. It is 370 metres long and arranged horizontally across three levels. The entrance measures 9.5 metres wide and 2 metres high. Inside, spacious vaulted chambers alternate with narrower sections; side curtains of flowstone, stalactites and stalagmites shape the succession of cave chambers.

Hiking routes with different features

The mountain route Luncani–Pârâul Mare–Padeș begins with an easy section and becomes considerably steeper in its second section. Its elevation gain is 1,070 metres. Another hiking route runs from Valea lui Liman via Luncani and Valea Topla to Cabana Căpriorul in the municipality of Nădrag; it follows forestry roads and forest trails.

The descriptions of the two routes highlight different points for navigation: the Luncani–Pârâul Mare–Padeș route specifies its gradient and elevation gain, while the route from Valea lui Liman lists the places along the way and the types of paths. These details give you practical reference points for adapting your trip planning to each route.

Churches and architectural history

The wooden church in the village of Românești dates from the 17th century. It was built from thick oak beams joined together without nails. An old wooden church was built in Tomești around 1750; that building was dismantled in 1952. It was rebuilt on the same site in 1957 from wood, with a galvanized sheet-metal roof, a rubble-stone foundation and a single tower.

The church of Mănăstirea Românești has a different construction chronology: its foundation stone was laid in 1912, the church was completed in 1929, and it was consecrated in 1931. Its patronal feast is celebrated on 20 July and on the Friday of Bright Week. The three dates mark distinct stages—from the start of construction through completion to consecration.

Traditions, industrial history and events

The Dube-Colind tradition is maintained in the villages of Românești, Tomești and Baloșești. Traditional dress is worn today at folk performances in the Tomești region. Tomești also has wooden watermills on the Bega. The former glass factory near Tomești is a monument of industrial architecture; the Tomești glass factory is considered the oldest glass factory in the territory of present-day Romania.

Nedeea românilor de pretutindeni takes place every August in Valea lui Liman and celebrates folk song and dance. The tradition of symphonic concerts in Peștera Românești began in 1984 on the initiative of doctor Constantin Lupu, founder of Speotimiș. In 2025, the series reached its 41st edition. Check the specific event dates before your trip.

Getting to Românești

From the DN 68A at Coșava, Românești is 4 kilometres away via the paved county road DJ 684. As road conditions can change, check them before setting out. This location detail adds a specific point of reference for planning a visit to Românești to the other travel information.

Discover more destinations: Buziaș, Luncanii de Jos, Fârdea, Bucovăţ, Sânnicolau Mare, Bogda, Recaș, Făget

For the broader travel overview: Timis.