GALDA DE JOS
Romania
T O U R I S T S I G H T S
LOCAL TOURIST ROUTES
1. Galda de Jos - Benic - Galzii Gorge - Intregalde Gorge
2. Galda de Jos - Benic - Cetea - Cheile Cetii - Narcissus Glade
3. Galda de Jos - Bucerdea Vinoasa - Ighiu - Lake Iezer Ighiel
4. Galda de Jos - Teius - Geoagiu de Sus - Ramet Monastery
5. Galda de Jos - Teius - Aiud - Aiudului Gorge - Rimetea
6. Galda de Jos - Ampoiului Valley - Garda - Scarisoara Glacier
Route no. 1
Galda de Jos - Benic - Galzii Gorge - Intregalde Gorge
Road vehicle access, distance 23 km, paved road throughout all the route. Access from Galda de Jos (17 km from Alba-Iulia and 4 km from Teius) on Galzii Valley towards the village Benic. Galzii Valley traverses Trascau Mountains in the west-east direction and offers visitors beautiful landscapes along with gorges, and alignment with architecture specific area of hills and mountains.
From Galda de Jos, road climbs slightly on the right bank of the valley and arrives in the village Mesentea, who owns a very valuable monument, a church built in 1674. The road climbs Galzii Valley, passing through Benic, then Galda de Sus where orchards give keynote landscape then, the valley narrows and takes on the character of a true gorge, with forested slopes.
After about 5 km from Galda de Sus, near the village Magura, the valley narrows further and penetrate in Galzii Gorge which, although only a length of 300 m, presents the narrowest section of the course Galzii Valley.
This Galzii Gorge, formed by water interception to a rock block of great dimension, are interesting for their picturesque and wilderness. In the narrowing trail of this gorge are keeps the traces redoubt built by villagers from Galda de Jos who was enrolled in the revolutionary army and participated in the fighting in Galzii Gorge developed during the Revolution of 1848.
On leaving the Galzii Gorge, valley widens again as if to make place Poiana Galzii village location. The road continues on Galzii Valley and, after 2 km, intersect limestone ridge Bedeleu-Ciumerna, where appear the famous Intregaldelor Gorge, some of the most famous gorge in the country. They are of a length almost 3 km and are oriented west-east direction.
Disaggregation acted differently on the two slopes of the Intregalde Gorge, creating a microrelief in most different forms. On left slope steeply, increases jagged appear, pyramid towers, pillars, arches, 'mushroom' and ogives.
Here appear some of the most typical nivale couloirs, along which runs islands debris hundreds of meters in length. Because the right slope is very high, it is much more forested with forest clumps of beech and fir, and the relief is masked by vegetation. On both sides of Intregaldelor Gorge appear natural bridges, which are the last remnants of some very old caves destroyed by erosion.
On the calcareous slopes of the cliffs it can see edelweiss. In Intregaldelor Gorge area edelweiss lives at the lowest altitude in the country, thanks to a special local topo-climate, influenced by cold air leakage entering along the corridor. Because beauty and wilderness landscape, Intregaldelor Gorge is stated a nature reserve, of 403 hectares.
After leaving the gorge, it go up on the valley, whose cross section gradually widens, taking the appearance of a depression. Here is Intregalde village, typical mountain village, in which there is a wooden church in the eighteenth century, and Intregalde cottage.
Route no. 2
Galda de Jos - Benic - Cetea - Cetii Gorge - Narcissus Glade
Easily accessible route, distance 25 km from Galda de Jos, paved road until in the Cetea village. Access it make from Galda de Jos (17 km from Alba-Iulia and 4 km from Teius) on Galzii Valley towards the Benic village.
From Benic, it go to the right, on asphalt road which climbs on Cetii Valley until the Cetea (4 km). Cetea is bounded by strongly inclined slopes and planted with fruit trees and vines. Leaving Cetea village to upstream, the valley is develop about 10 km to the area by birth, situated in the mountain Cetii Stone.
It is a picturesque valley, with gorges and canyons sectors. First sightseeing met after leaving the village Cetea is the Cetii Gorge formed by the intersection of epigenetics of a olistolit. Cetii Gorge alveoli were called 'Roman Baths'.
The gorge sector has a length of less than 100 m and a very narrow cross section. Cetii Valley has a slope very pronounced here, being able to observe the succession of waterfalls and rapids. At the base of the falls, erosion has created the most beautiful alveoli in Trascaului Mountains , 'Roman Baths'.
From 'Roman Baths' follow the local road through the Tecsesti village to the south-west, its passing Cetii Valley on the right side of it and, after 10 minutes, reach the plateau Cetii Stone Mountain dominated by Narcissus Glade which, in the spring, in late of may delight your eyes and savor the pure white studded field of narcissus. Here at over 1200 m in front is as majestic image, embattled of rock called 'Monks' in Cetii Stone and everything in this area opens pit cave 'Hole Horse'. From the village Cetea to here the route measures about 13 km and requires 4 hours of ascent and 3 return.
Route no. 3
Galda de Jos - Bucerdea Vinoasa - Ighiu - Lake Iezer Ighiel
Easily accessible route, access from Galda de Jos distance 26 km, 15 km paved road until Ighiel, to go through another 12 km on the forest road vehicle access to Lake Iezer.
From Galda de Jos, road pass bridge over Galzii Valley, move towards localities Cricau, Craiva and Bucerdea Vinoasa and after 10 km, arrive in Ighiu commune. This road was named in Roman era "Wine Road" (Via Magna).
Following this road to west, passing the branch with paved road to the village Tibru, and after 4 km you reach in Cricau. From the village Craiva can climb on a trail and can reach Craivii Stone.
After leaving Ighiu, road divides, to the right after 4 km, arrives in Telna, another village on the 'Wine Route', situated in the valley of the same name. It is a beautiful valley, carved in limestone bands, with gorge appearance.
Returning to the fork, turn left on Ighiel Valley penetrate and after 5 km you reach the Ighiel village. Ighiel Valley springs from Ighiel Lake. It has a narrow cross section, with the appearance of a well wooded gorge with slopes with beech forests, and the village Ighiel houses has traditional look.
After exiting from Ighiel, the forest road climb, accompanying closely valley and after 12 km reach the lake Iezer Ighiel.
Route no. 4
Galda de Jos - Teius - Stremt - Geoagiu de Sus - Ramet Monastery
Road vehicle access, easily accessible, distance 30 km, paved road entirely. The route starts in the center of Galda de Jos towards national highway DN1 (E81) which is left to the town of Teius. From Teius, turn left, follow local road, near Ramet Valley, until the gorge sector.
After about 5 km you arrive in the center of Stremt commune, where are the ruins of a fortress of XIV century, situated between the hills. In the village there is a recreational basis on lakeside Stremt, with accommodation options. Next, after a somewhat greater distance, arriving in Geoagiu de Sus village, elongated than Ramet Valley.
The monument of medieval art in Geoagiu de Sus, former episcopal in sixteenth century, founded by Radu from Afumati (1521-1529), reflects influence of architecture of Romanian Country. Inside you can admire valuable paintings, due painter Mihu (1483), and paintings from 1741, post Brancoveanu style.
On leaving of Geoagiu de Sus, continue on the road to the Monastery's Valley village. Crossing the narrow sector of valley, we feel that we are in a real gorge, carved in Cretaceous sandstones and conglomerates. Remarkable is presence of more water mills, in operation, in Geoagiu de Sus and Stremt.
Towards the end of the road, the valley and the road suffer a west arch, and here you get to the famous monument, the Monastery Ramet, from which it derives its name and village. The natural scenery is dominated by limestone ridges of lime color, standing face to face, which gives the landscape a touch of striking wild.
Ramet Monastery is the oldest Orthodox monastery in Transylvania, whose existence can be considered a miracle, the former Austro-Hungarian Empire destroyed everything meant Orthodox spirituality in Ardeal. You can visit the small museum and monument, then pass Monastery Gorge, to the chalet Ramet.
Route no. 5
Galda de Jos - Teius - Aiud - Aiudului Gorge - Valisoara - Rimetea
Trail road, easily accessible, distance 45 km, paved road entirely. The route starts in the Galda de Jos towards national road DN1 (E81) where you turn left to the Aiud city. From the center of the town Aiud, turn left to the localitys Livezile, Coltesti and Rimetea.
Whether you want to escape the urban crowd or explore nature, Rimetea is the ideal choice. Once in Rimetea can choose to admire the traditional houses, to make nature walks, or simply to relax and enjoy the fresh air.
Mountain enthusiasts have many opportunities for trekking or climbing. For those who want extreme sports is possible to fly with paragliding. Gourmets can enjoy Romanian and Hungarian specialties.
Even if it is in Alba county, we can say that Rimetea is just 'two steps away from Cluj', being very close. Rimetea, attested in 1257, was an important manufacturing center and mining, was inhabited in the past by a mixed population of Saxons and Székelys.
Since 1996 Rimetea locality was included in a draft heritage conservation and valorisation. Following this project, many locals have decided to renovate their old houses, giving to the town a picture of the story, simple and beautiful, without modern urban elements.
In 1999, to Rimetea awarded European Commission's Europa Nostra Award, and in 2000, National Office of Historical Monuments has designated Rimetea protected architectural and urban area.
Secuiului Stone massif is a very important goal of area, which offers a stunning landscape. Here you can make trekking or, if you have the proper equipment, you can climb. Also, Secuiului Stone offers the perfect place for lovers of paragliding flight.
To get a better look at the history of the area, you really need to visit the Ethnographic Museum in the village. The museum heritage includes traditional clothing, tools used in different activities, pots and furniture painted, specific to region.
In Rimetea can visit the water mill dating from to 1752. Here you can see the different tools used for milling and 'iron bread', an ore which was the source of income of the inhabitants for many years.
Route no. 6
Galda de Jos - Ampoiului Valley - Garda de Sus - Scarisoara Glacier
Easily accessible route, distance 130 km, the road is paved. Access it make from Galda de Jos (17 km from Alba-Iulia and 4 km from Teius). From Galda de Jos locality, the road cross over the bridge of Galzii Valley to the locality Cricau, Sard, followed Ampoiului Valley, towards localities Zlatna, Abrud, Campeni.
Ampoiului Valley penetrate deep into the heart of Apuseni Mountains, making his way through Vladeasa Mountains, Trascaului Mountains and Metaliferi Mountains. The most representative of valley is famous wooden portal that greets tourists in the Moti's Country with a known verse by Lucian Blaga 'Eternity was born in the village'.
To all natural wonders, add the typical atmosphere of traditional rural settlements.
Locals, nationally recognized for their skill in getting the best brandy, are extremely hospitable and still keep their traditions and popular ports.
The entire region is worth visiting, sightseeing and limestones from Ampoita, Ampoitei Gorge, Fenesului Gorge or Bats Cave is representative places. Limestone from Ampoita are represented by three rock contrasting surrounding represented gentle landforms. These watches the whole settlement on the hill situated on the outskirts.
On account of the three formations 'sprung' from the ground were born many legends and superstitions, many locals claiming that the rocks would be cursed, because many climbers fell while trying to climb them, losing their lives or paralyzed.
Despite these presuppositions that have or not a grain of truth, the rocks have a real potential for tourism, the landscape that opens above them are spectacular.
Passing of Ampoita village, same valley reach in Ampoitei Gorge, the nature reserve. Although stretch over a relatively small area, the gorge amazed by the tranquility that emanates landscapes. There is also Bat Cave, which stretches over a length of 300 meters and houses hundreds of bats.
Equally impressive are and the Fenesului Gorge, known as Goat Gorge. The area is cool, dominated by rocky heights that are shaped like cannons. Tourists willing to travel the extra few kilometers can still visit and the Apuseni Natural Park, and the famous Scarisoara Glacier, village Garda de Sus.