Named after skeletons of the extinct cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) found by quarry workers 30 years ago, the Bear Cave is one of Romania’s finest. It’s well worth a day trip from Oradea, 82km northwest.
The magnificent galleries of the cave (482m) extend over 1000m on two levels. Stupendous stalactites and stalagmites loom, creating uncanny shapes in the half- darkness. The stalactites, many of which are believed to be 22,000 to 55,000 years old, grow 1cm every 20 years.
Compulsory guided tours allow you to spend an hour or so exploring the cold (a constant 10°C), stalactite-filled chambers of the cave. Note that the formations are delicate and must not be touched.
The area around the base of Bear Cave is filled with souvenir stands, hawking everything from little bear replicas to plastic bottles of ţuica (plum brandy; 10 lei) and even, for some unfathomable reason, masks of Edvard Munch’s The Scream, as well as more useful items like hiking maps and food.
There are several decent if simple guesthouses. Pensiunea Laura is a wooden chalet with eight rooms and a charming restaurant. If this one is full, try Pensiunea Mirela across the street. It’s nearly identical but one notch down on the charm-meter.
Without private transport, the region around the cave is tricky to navigate. There’s one daily bus running between Beiuş, Chişcău and Ştei.
From Oradea by car, head south through Beiuş, follow Hwy E79 for a further 8km along the Crişul Negru River, then turn left at the turn-off for Pietroasa and Chişcău. Continue 4km along this road; the cave is signposted on the right.
The Hotel Crişana in Băile Felix and Hotel Iadolina in Stâna de Vale offer excursions to Bear Cave. Contact the hotels for details or go to www.transilvaniatour.ro.
