Scărișoara Ice Cave

Peștera Scărișoara

One of the largest underground glaciers in the world, holding a massive block of ancient ice inside a mountain cavern. Visitors descend into a chilling chamber of ice stalagmites and frozen beauty.

Things to do

• Descend into the Great Hall — Climb down the wooden staircase through the collapsed sinkhole entrance into the vast ice-filled chamber that holds the ancient glacier.
• View the ice stalagmites — Marvel at the towering columns of frozen water in the Church section, where seasonal formations create a natural ice cathedral.
• See the underground glacier block — Stand before the massive 75,000 cubic meter block of ice estimated to be over 10,000 years old, one of the oldest in the world.
• Hike the Apuseni forest trails — Walk the marked paths through the beech and spruce forests of the Apuseni Nature Park surrounding the cave entrance.
• Visit the viewing platform above the abyss — Peer down into the 48-meter-deep karst shaft from the observation platform before beginning your descent.
• Explore Ghețar village — Stroll the nearby Moț(Moț highlander) hamlet with its scattered wooden farmhouses and traditional mountain way of life.
• Photograph the frozen formations — Bring a warm layer and capture the reflections and translucent blues of the ice reservoir under the cave lighting.

Food to try

• Bulz ciobănesc — A shepherd's dish of polenta balls stuffed with sheep's cheese and baked, hearty fuel for the cold mountain air.
• Balmoș — A traditional Moț delicacy of cornmeal cooked slowly in sheep's milk, cream and cheese, typical of the Apuseni highlands.
• Țuică de prune — Strong local plum brandy distilled by Apuseni farmers and often offered as a welcome to warm you up.
• Brânză de burduf — Pungent salty sheep's cheese matured in fir bark or a sheep's stomach, a staple of the surrounding mountain pastures.
• Ciorbă de fasole cu afumătură — A sour bean soup with smoked pork, commonly served at guesthouses in the Gârda de Sus and Arieșeni area.
• Cârnați de casă — Homemade smoked mountain sausages made by local households, best sampled at a rustic pensiune near the cave.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress warmly year-round — The cave stays near freezing even in summer, so bring a jacket, gloves and non-slip shoes for the icy stairs.
• Go with the guided tour — Access to the ice chamber is only permitted with a park guide and set opening hours, so check schedules before arriving.
• Respect the Moț highlander traditions — The local Moți are a proud mountain community; buying their cheese, honey or crafts directly supports their remote way of life.
• Reach it via winding mountain roads — The final stretch from Gârda de Sus is steep and rough, so a sturdy vehicle or local transfer is recommended.

Nearby

• Apuseni Natural Park — 17 km
• Bears' Cave — 20 km
• Stâna de Vale — 26 km
• Cluj-Napoca (Transylvania) — 70 km