The Borzești Gorges, located 18 km from Turda in a picturesque Transylvanian mountain landscape, attract more and more nature and adventure lovers every year. The wild beauty of the place, barely touched by humans, has a special charm.
Borzești Gorges
In this article
The Turda Gorges and the Tureni Gorges are considered their “sisters,” formed in the same limestone massif, and they uniquely complete the family of gorges in the Trascău Mountains.
Location and Access Routes
The Borzești Gorges were formed along the Borzești Stream (or Berchiș Valley), before it flows into the Arieș River. They are located in the village of Borzești, Iara commune, Cluj County, between the villages of Buru and Moldovenești.
Borzești Stream landscape
To reach the reserve, you can follow two main routes.
If you are coming from Turda, on DN75 toward Câmpeni, at the milestone indicating 4 kilometers to Buru, turn right toward the chalet.
If you are starting from Cluj-Napoca, you can choose two shorter routes (source Cluj.com):
1. Cluj-Napoca – Tureni – Petreștii de Jos – Petreștii de Mijloc – Petreștii de Sus – Borzești Gorges.
2. Cluj-Napoca – Făget – Sălicea – Ciurila – Crăiești – Petreștii de Jos – Petreștii de Mijloc – Petreștii de Sus – Borzești Gorges.
Access to the gorges is easy, via a paved road leading to Buru Chalet. From there, a short walk of a few minutes takes you to the entrance.
Distances:
from Turda Gorges: 18 min (13.6 km) via DN75 and DJ103G
from Tureni Gorges: 28 min (23.5 km) via DN75 and DJ103G
from Ciucaș Waterfall: 16 min (6.7 km) via DN75
from Cluj-Napoca: 59 min (49.1 km) via DN75 and DN1/E60
from Alba Iulia: 56 min (76.4 km) via Apuseni Motorway/A10/E81
from Târgu Mureș: 1 hr 3 min (86.6 km) via Transylvania Motorway/A3
from Sibiu: 1 hr 37 min (153.8 km) via Apuseni Motorway/A10/E81 and A1/E68/E81
from Rimetea: 15 min (12.2 km) via DN75 and DJ107M
Discover the Wild Beauty of the Apuseni Mountains
Declared a protected nature reserve in 1994 (see Wikipedia), the Borzești Gorges delight visitors with their untouched wilderness and the variety of wild species and creatures.
Borzești Gorges landscape
They are also remarkable for being the only gorges in the Apuseni Mountains that have changed in two distinct directions over time. Initially, the waters drained toward the Borzești basin, which acted as a hydrographic convergence zone. Then the Borzești Valley cut through the ridge at Petrești and gradually captured the waters toward the Arieș.
The walls of the gorges are relatively low, but they surprise visitors with series of waterfalls and potholes of considerable size. The slopes are covered with beech and sessile oak forests.
They consist of two parts: the Lower Waterfalls (red dot marking) and the Upper Waterfalls (partially marked with a red triangle).
In 2020, the Cluj County Public Salvamont Service equipped them with steel cables to make access easier for tourists.
On the left bank of the gorge, cables and metal ladders have been installed to provide support and safety during the crossing, like those installed in the Tureni Gorges in 2018.
With these facilities, the area can be explored even when the water flow is higher, but it is advisable to avoid the trail during torrential rain to prevent risks.
Tourist Trails and Hikes
For hiking enthusiasts, the Borzești Gorges offer marked trails for different levels of experience.
Borzești Stream
You can choose the loop trail or the one that goes only as far as the lower waterfalls, as well as the more challenging trail toward the Turda Gorges:
1. Borzești Gorges Loop
The trail starts at Buru Chalet, passes the picturesque waterfalls of the Borzești Valley, and returns to the starting point.
Trail details:
Length: 1.6 km
Elevation difference (ascent and descent): 85 m
Maximum altitude: 426 m
Estimated time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Difficulty: moderate
Accessibility: open all year round, best avoided on rainy days
2. Turda Gorges – Borzești Gorges – Buru Chalet
Route: starts in the Turda Gorges, passes through Gura Jigăului, and continues through the Borzești Gorges to the chalet.
Trail details:
Length: 9.9 km
Elevation difference (ascent and descent): 445 m (ascent), 499 m (descent)
Maximum altitude: 730 m
Estimated time: 4 – 5 hours
Difficulty: easy/moderate
Accessibility: open all year round, suitable for hikers of all experience levels, best avoided on rainy days
More details about trails in the Trascău Mountains at https://turism-cheile-turzii.ro/trasee/
Other Sights near the Borzești Gorges
There are several tourist destinations in the surrounding area worth exploring:
Turda Gorges
Just a few kilometers from the Borzești Gorges lie the famous Turda Gorges, a spectacular limestone gorge known for its impressive scenery and hiking trails.
Turda Salt Mine
A unique destination in Romania, Turda Salt Mine is a former salt mine turned into an impressive tourist attraction.
Cetății Gorges Nature Reserve
The reserve offers picturesque natural scenery, hiking trails, and the chance to admire spectacular rock formations.
Trascău Fortress
An imposing medieval fortress located on a rocky spur in the village of Colțești, Trascău Fortress offers a journey into history and magnificent panoramas of the surrounding landscape.
Ciucaș Waterfall
Ciucaș Waterfall is a charming, easily accessible spot in the Arieș Valley.
Rimetea
A picturesque Transylvanian village in the Trascău Mountains, Rimetea is known for its traditional architecture and the beauty of the surrounding mountain scenery.
Vălișoara Gorges
Another spectacular gorge in the Apuseni Mountains, the Vălișoara Gorges impress with grand natural scenery and breathtaking cliffs.
Accommodation
Nearby, you can find accommodation at Cabana din Lemn, in the village of Moldovenești, or at Căsuța din Povești.
You can also stay in Buru, Rimetea or even Turda, where the options are more varied.
Weather
The weather in Borzești, Cluj County, for the next 7 days:
The scenery of the tourist area of the Borzești Gorges will win you over with its authentic beauty and delightful landscapes. Every corner hides a story and a special energy, offering you an unforgettable experience in the heart of wild nature. Don't forget to protect nature!
About 30 km away is Buscat Resort.
