Romania Road Trip + Map: Apuseni Mountains 🚗

Romania’s Apuseni Mountains are the definition of underrated. Think ice caves, secret gorges, alpine villages, and dramatic landscapes — all without the tourist swarms. This 4-day loop takes you from city cool to glacier-cold caves and back again, serving up nature, culture, and plenty of “wait, this is Romania?!” moments.

Let’s hit the road:

📍 Cluj-Napoca – Cool, colourful, and full of good coffee ☕🏙️

Start your trip in Cluj, the unofficial capital of Transylvania. It’s artsy, buzzy, and packed with cafés, street art, and friendly vibes. A perfect mix of history and hipster.

Tinker’s Tip: Grab a flat white and a covrig before you set off — road trip fuel is sacred.

📍 Turda Gorge (Cheile Turzii) – Nature’s dramatic runway ⛰️🦅

Towering limestone cliffs, narrow hiking trails, and a river slicing through it all. You might spot eagles, but you’ll definitely hear your own footsteps echo.

Top tip: Pack grippy shoes — some sections are steep, and it gets slick if it’s rained.

📍 Salina Turda – An underground salt mine turned sci-fi playground 🧂🎢

Just a short drive from the gorge, this epic salt mine is like something out of Star Wars. Ride a Ferris wheel, row a boat underground, or just marvel at the salty stalactites and cavernous halls.

Don’t rush it: You’ll want at least 2 hours to explore, and wear layers — it’s cool down there (literally and figuratively).

📍 Scărișoara Ice Cave – Frozen wonders beneath the earth ❄️🕳️

One of the oldest underground glaciers in the world, chilling (literally) beneath the Apuseni. You’ll walk down wooden stairs into a massive icy cavern that feels straight out of Narnia.

Bring a jumper. Even in summer, it’s freezing down there — and your teeth will notice.

📍 Arieșeni – Cosy cabins and mountain calm 🏡🌲

A sleepy village tucked in the hills, perfect for slowing down. Think traditional wooden houses, crisp air, and hikes through forest paths that smell like pine and peace.

Tinker’s Tip: Stay the night in a guesthouse and try the local păstrăv (trout). Unreal.

📍 Râmeț Gorge (Cheile Râmețului) – Wild and wonderful 💦🧗

A proper adventure trail through a narrow canyon. Expect ropes, waterfalls, and the odd splash as you climb and wade through the gorge. Not for your white trainers, just sayin’.

Top tip: Go early before the sun hits the canyon — it’s cooler, quieter, and magic.

📍 Alba Iulia – History with a side of grandeur 🏰🎺

Wrap things up in this fortress city where Romania’s modern borders were born. The star-shaped citadel, Roman ruins, and changing of the guard give it serious “main character energy.”

Catch the guard ceremony — it’s every day around noon and full of pomp and pageantry.

🗺️ Route Length: Around 300km of scenic driving bliss
🕓 Ideal Time: 4 days (but you’ll wish you had 5)
🎯 Why Go: Ice caves, quiet trails, dramatic gorges, charming mountain villages, and underground salt kingdoms
🎒 Pack: Layers (the mountains get chilly), waterproof shoes, hiking snacks, and curiosity