The Land of Făget: Natural Beauties

 The Land of Făget  – Natural Beauties

01. Șopot Waterfall, Pietroasa Commune, Timiș

Șopot Waterfall is located in the Poiana Ruscă Mountains, the only mountains in Timiș County. Access is through Poieni village in Pietroasa Commune. Many know it from the school camp at Poieni Strâmbu. The trail to the waterfall starts from this camp and follows upstream along the red cross mark on the forest road toward Bătrâna village. This road was once the route of a narrow-gauge railway from Margina to Poiana Lungă.

After about 2 km, you enter the forest along the left bank of the Șopot River, following the blue dot trail leading to the waterfall. On the opposite bank, there is a log footbridge called the Living Bridge, which for the first three years after its construction continued to grow greenery.

The forest trail is easy and relaxing, with fallen trees scattered along the path. The forest amplifies the murmur of the waterfall in its quietness. At the end of the trail, the vigorous and tireless Șopot Waterfall reveals itself. Its appearance varies with the season, water flow, and fallen vegetation upstream. Nearby, an earth terrace with a table and tree-trunk chairs provides a better view of the waterfall’s height and a resting spot.

From Șopot Waterfall, you can continue to Bătrâna along a dirt and stone forest road. Bătrâna, a village where time seems frozen, with entrance gates called vranițe, has a special charm.

The Pietroasa area is rich in natural resources and local traditions. Local producers offer visitors seasonal products such as blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. On a family trip to the Poiana Ruscă Mountains — to Șopot Waterfall or the wooden church in Crivina — you can also find honey, brandy, or traditional bread from local producers.

02. Water Cave, Românești, Timiș

Românești Cave is located near Românești village in Timiș County, on the left slope of the Fărășești Valley in the Poiana Ruscă Mountains. It is also known as the Great Cave of Fărășești or the Water Cave.

The first speleological research was carried out in the 19th century by T. Orthmayr (1872). Later archaeological excavations uncovered cave bear bones and objects from a Neolithic settlement, including a grain storage, ceramics from the Tisa and Coțofeni cultures, and a hearth now exhibited at the Banat Museum in Timișoara, where cave bear remains are also kept.

The entire karst area on the left slope of the Fărășești Valley is explored by the Speotimiș club, which contributes to understanding the cave’s genesis.

The accessible galleries total 340 meters. The entrance is 9.5 meters wide and 2 meters high, allowing diffuse light to reach about 70 meters inside, where walls are green with algae. The main gallery reaches its largest dimensions in the Bats’ Hall, named after the bat colony residing there. The cave’s average temperature ranges between 6 and 8°C.

The cave has excellent acoustics and hosts concerts of classical, jazz, blues, rock, and electronic music. The first concert in Românești Cave took place in 1984.

Access is via the Deva-Lugoj road (DN 68A) to Coșava, then following the road to Valea lui Liman to Românești village, continuing on marked trails.

03. Transluncani, Tomești, Timiș

In 2019, Tomești Commune inaugurated the most spectacular road in Timiș County after a €1 million investment. Transluncani is a winding road comparable to Transalpina or Transfăgărășan.

Carved mostly into rock in a hard-to-access but picturesque area, this fully rehabilitated agricultural road is the highest-altitude road in Timiș County. Over 60% of it was cut from rock, posing a major challenge to builders.

The road is over 5 km long, with its highest point at 700 meters. It starts from Luncanii de Jos village, 110 km from Timișoara, easily accessible via A1 motorway exit at Margina. After a short unpaved section of 300 m, accessible by any car, the winding route offers breathtaking views.

Tourists can also visit Luncanii de Sus Monastery, Izvorul lui Miron Monastery in Românești, Românești Cave, or the Valea lui Liman complex.

04. Surduc Lake, Surducu Mic, Timiș

Surduc Lake is located in Fârdea Commune in southeastern Poiana Ruscă Mountains, about 100 km from Timișoara. Access is via the Timișoara–Deva National Road, near Traian Vuia, toward Fârdea.

The Surduc dam construction began in 1972. By 1977, the lake held nearly 25 million cubic meters of water, designed for a total of 51 million cubic meters.

Covering 460 hectares, Surduc Lake is the largest in Timiș County. Its water does not freeze, supporting thousands of waterfowl during winter. The lake provides drinking water for Timișoara, flood protection, and recreational opportunities, including fishing, boating, and pedal boating.

Surduc hosts the AeroNautic Show Festival, along with swimming competitions. Nearby is the recently established Fârdea Monastery and wooden churches around Făget.

05. Cornet Waterfall, Nădrag, Timiș

About 100 km from Timișoara and 40 km from Lugoj, Cornet Waterfall is a hidden but stunning spot near Nădrag. Access is via a dirt and gravel road through Cornet Valley, a short forest hike along Cornet Creek.

The creek’s elevation difference is about 5 meters. The waterfall is particularly spectacular in spring when water flow is highest but impresses year-round with its natural simplicity.

06. Jdioara Fortress, Jdioara, Timiș

Jdioara Fortress is a historically significant but little-known monument in Timiș County. It lies in Jdioara village, Criciova Commune, at the meeting point of the Timiș Plain and the southwestern extension of the Poiana Ruscă Mountains, at 288.4 m altitude.

Built by Hungarian kings in 1320, it served as a defensive fortress and changed hands several times throughout history. By the 18th century, it was partially destroyed, and its stones were reused by locals for house foundations. Today, only the walls remain.

07. Padeș Peak, Poiana Ruscă Mountains, Timiș

Padeș Peak (1,382 m) is the highest peak in the Poiana Ruscă Mountains, offering spectacular views of Țarcu Mountains and surrounding peaks. The trail is of medium difficulty due to length and elevation gain.

Routes connect Nădrag to Căprioru Cabin and Padeș Alpine Meadow. Trails are well-marked and accessible from neighboring villages such as Gladna, Zolt, and Surduc Lake. From Căprioru Cabin, it takes about 2.5 hours to reach the alpine meadow of Padeș Peak.

Along the trail, hikers can see old iron mines, the “Dac Head” rock, nature’s “Triumphal Arch,” Băban spring, the “Padeș Bus” shelter, and stunning panoramic views from the summit.