Highlights:

Description of the area:

There are only a few places around Europe blessed with such a huge variety of relief, and in the same time, with so much unity, as the Apuseni Mountains. The Bihor Massif, and specially, the Padis area, enclosed in its heart, is often considered the "jewel of the crown" or the paradise of the Apuseni Mountains due to its stunning transitions from flat highlands to deep canyons, from clear springs to dark swallow holes where brooks disappear. All of these thanks to the prevailing rock that builds up the entire area - the dolomite, a natural material that makes possible the existence of the karstik landforms such as karrens, dolines, uvalas, poljes, karstic springs, swallow holes, blind and pocket valleys at the surface or caves and potholes as subterranean forms.

The plateau of Padis leans against the volcanic crest that stretches from the Bohodei summit far away to north-east, till the high peaks of Vladeasa Mountain. This natural wall forms a drainage basin that gathers the waters for the Dragan and Iada valleys to the north, Crisul Pietros to the south and Somesul Cald to the east and south-east. At south, the bed of the Aries River cuts the dolomite structure of the Bihor Mountain, separating it from the Biharia Masiff; at west, the area opens into the Beiusului Basin and at east, the Gilau Massif closes it.

Difficulty of the hikes and some other useful information:

the excursions in the Padis area may be considered beyond an average level of difficulty! Thus, some of the hikes may be hard and tiresome and also the weather may alter the difficulty. Still, if hiking, sporting and sleeping in tents are not something unusual then the excursions included in this tour will not be considered difficult. The main advantage of the hikes is that they start and end in the same place, and those who get tired at some point may skip one or more days of hiking by staying in the camping place.

All we need for a daily hike is a smaller rucksack that should contain drinking water, food, warm clothes, rain jacket and a flashlight. The daily hikes are not extremely long and we will not exceed 1.500 meters in difference of level per day. Weather in the Bihor Mountains is rather changeable, therefore we suggest to take summer and warmer clothing as well. In case of good summer weather, the temperature may go up to 25-30 ?C but the average is somewhere around 20-25 ?C. Usual expected temperature during nighttime is 5-15 ?C but in case a weather front is passing through then even 15-20 ?C temperature could be expected during daytime and 0 ?C during nighttime. Moisture level in the air is above 85% and fog is frequent in the mornings and evenings. Also, the yearly precipitation level is quite high, above 1.800 mm.

Suggested period:

summer

Services included:

guiding, transportation, trekking map of the region

Services not included:

accommodation and health insurance during the tour

Itinerary:

Romania

Oradea - Beius - Boga - Padis plateau - Boga - Beius - Oradea

Duration of the trip:

from Oradea to Oradea

7 days

Length of the trip:

from Oradea to Oradea

approx. 200 km

Means of transportation:

high level quality bus with air condition and lorry on the 7^th day

Board:

self provided or half board, by request

Accommodation:

in tents (self provided), on the camp site

Necessary equipment:

backpacking clothing, waterproof backpacking boots, spare lightweight footwear, bathing suit, rainwear, some warm clothes, a smaller rucksack, sleeping bag, sleeping foam pad or air mattress, headlamp, backpacking or camp stove, basic utensils, pot and cup, pocket-knife, sunglasses and sunscreen, trekking pole, basic first-aid kit, etc.

Guidance:

from Oradea to Oradea

the group will be accompanied by professionally trained, English language speaking trekking guide