Turda Gorge and Salina Turda give you two great reasons to visit Turda and enjoy the dramatic scenery above and below the ground.
Hiking Turda Gorge
Turda gorge wasn’t really on our radar. It was one of the guides from Saker Tours who recommended we visit. It turned out to be one of our favourite hikes in Romania. A stunning steep-sided gorge with a good walking trail all the way through. You can then loop back by climbing the hill on either side and enjoy panoramic views down into the gorge and of the surrounding countryside. The hikes all start from the river. At the far end of the car park (it took us a while to figure this out!), you’ll see arrows, and trail markers pointing you to the trail. Follow it to the river and a bridge crossing and there are signs detailing the hikes. Wanting to be on top of the gorge for sunset we started our hike around 12pm and followed the red cross pathway through the gorge.
The gorge is quite spectacular with its towering rocks, and interesting flora and fauna. Many birds circling up high and we saw the bright streak of a kingfisher dart along the river. It took about an hour to reach the other side of the gorge. The path is good but a bit slippy in places. You cross the river a few times on small bridges.
Petreștii de Mijloc
Once through the gorge, we stopped for a picnic lunch on a bench by the river, enjoying the view of the dramatic scenery. We carried on to the first village; Petreștii de Mijloc and had a wander. It is a lovely farming community and part of the commune of seven villages; Petreștii de Jos. In true Romanian style, the builder’s merchants we found along the main road was very much a magazine mixt. So we picked up a couple of beers and sat on the bench outside. Enjoying some people watching and mentally preparing for the climb back over the gorge.
Heading back towards the river, we crossed it near the entrance to the gorge, to take the path on the Southside. The path continues West as it climbs the slide of the hill. When it reaches the base of the woodland it turns into the trees and heads East and up the hill. There is a good lookout point 10m to the left of the path, near the top of the gorge. You can take a breath and enjoy the stunning views down the gorge.
You follow the top of the gorge to the ‘Dos’ which was our spot to watch the sunset. Excellent mobile signal up the top which was perfect as I had to be on a 30min zoom board meeting! We started heading down at dusk and walked down the mountain as the full moon was red and rising over the town, stunning! The last 20min descent was dark, but fine with torches. The well-trodden path is easy to follow in the dark.
Turda Salina, Salt Mine
We did not know really what to expect of Salina Turda – an old salt mine with amusement park?! But Salina Turda is quite spectacular and otherworldly. The scale of the mine shafts are mind boggling and the patterns in the salt quite beautiful. Your stomach quite literally lurches as you peer over the balconies and into the large cavern. Descending to the lower one with its lake and pedalos was very cool. I loved the sound as you crossed the bridge you hit a spot where all voices and noises were reverberating round the chamber. You can hear clearly the sound of the paddle hitting the water on the other side of the chamber. We enjoyed a round of crazy golf, very surreal in this salt cathedral!
