Arieșeni

Arieșeni commune lies on the border between Alba and Bihor counties, in a high area at an altitude of 950 meters. It is a starting point for many mountain trails and hikes in the Apuseni Mountains. During the cold season, the area is flooded with tourists from neighboring counties and from all over the country, eager to enjoy winter sports, relaxation and the spectacular landscapes of the Apuseni.

In this article:

Vârtop Arieșeni

Location of the resort

Arieșeni (formerly Lăpuș) is a commune made up of several villages in Țara Moților, Alba County, in the Bihor Mountains, a subdivision of the Apuseni Mountains, in the Transylvania region of Romania. It lies in the upper valley of the Arieș River, in the depression of the same name. The Arieșeni resort sits on the southern edge of the Apuseni Natural Park.

Its neighbors are:

• to the north and west – Bihor County

• to the south – Avram Iancu commune

• to the east – Gârda de Sus commune

Access routes

Thanks to its location on the DN 75 road, in the Apuseni Mountains, the resort is easy to reach and popular with tourists in every season. Distances to the Arieșeni resort:

• from Alba Iulia – 117 km – 2 hours and 15 minutes

• from Cluj-Napoca – 131 km – 2 hours and 25 minutes

• from Oradea – 120 km – about 2 hours

• from Timișoara – 255 km – about 4 hours

• from Arad – 200 km – just over 3 hours

• from Deva – 127 km – 2 hours and 40 minutes

You can also choose the Transapuseana route.

History

Country road

First recorded in 1909 under the name Lăpuș, the settlement was originally part of the old commune of Râul Mare, known today as Albac.

Between 1909 and 1924, Arieșeni, together with Gârda de Sus and Scărișoara, formed a single commune known as Scărișoara. This development was shaped by the migration of people from the lower regions to the mountain areas, where they found open land and pastures for their livestock.

There have been quite a few tourism plans for modernizing Arieșeni commune and its resort, but unfortunately few of them were carried out.

Worth mentioning is the 1999 plan drawn up by Swiss specialists, setting out how they saw the area developing. In 2003, the first ski slope in Arieșeni was opened.

Ski Slopes

In Arieșeni there are 3 km of ski slopes, spread over 3 runs: Vârtop I, Vârtop II in Alba County and Vârtop-Nucet or Piatra Grăitoare in Bihor.

Vârtop 1 Slope

Vartop 1 was the first ski slope opened in the resort, which is why it is so well known. It is about 1,000 meters long, with a vertical drop of 200 meters, and is equipped with a ski lift and lighting for evening skiing. It also has snow groomers for preparing and maintaining the snow, as well as snowmobiles for quick response in case of breakdowns or accidents. The Vartop 1 slope was officially accredited in 2003.

The ski lift serving the slope is 780 meters long and can carry 800 people per hour, at a speed of 2.5 meters per second. Notably, this ski lift, known as Vartop 1, was the first high-capacity lift in Romania built with 100% private capital. The slope lies on the border between Arieșeni and Bihor County and is easy to reach, being close to the DN75.

Near the Vartop 1 slope there is a small sledding slope with free access. In addition, at its base there are plenty of options for renting the equipment you need, such as snowboards, skis and sleds.

When it comes to learning winter sports, several ski schools run by accredited instructors operate on this slope. Both the Alba and the Bihor Salvamont mountain rescue services are active on this slope, as it lies on the border between the two counties.

Vârtop 2 Slope

Vârtop 2 is above all suited to beginners, since many ski and snowboard instructors and monitors work here. At the base of the slope you will find rental options for skis, ski boots and poles, as well as for snowboarding equipment.

Vârtop 2 stands out as the first ski slope in Arieșeni equipped with an artificial snowmaking system, which ensures excellent skiing conditions throughout the winter season, as long as temperatures allow snow to be made.

It is 430 meters long, with a vertical drop of 105 meters. It has a ski lift, a snow groomer for slope preparation and is equipped for night skiing.

At the base of the slope, besides ski equipment rental services, you will also find bars and restaurants.

Piatra Grăitoare Slope or the New Slope

The Vârtop-Nucet or Piatra Grăitoare slope has a modern detachable chairlift. This means the chairs slow down at the boarding and exit stations, making getting on and off more comfortable for skiers. Each chair carries 4 people, and there are 46 chairs in total. The chairlift runs at a maximum speed of 5 meters per second, carrying 1,400 people per hour.

The chairlift has a total length of 1,095 meters and offers two ways down: a red run, of medium difficulty, and a black run for advanced skiers. The slope has a modern snow groomer for slope preparation and night lighting with white lights.

Every year, the base of this slope hosts the Vârtop-Nucet Snow Festival (Serbările Zăpezii), which brings together winter sports lovers to celebrate the ski and snowboard season in a festive, fun setting.

Moving from one slope to another

Because the slopes are close together, skiers can choose from several ways down. Moving from one slope to another is easy, and Vartop 1 and Vartop 2 are separated only by a safety net, so skiers can cross from one to the other at their base.

To get from the Vartop 1 slope to the new one, called “Piatra Grăitoare”, the Salvamont rescuers have marked a route that starts at the top of Vartop 1 and reaches the “Piatra Grăitoare” slope near the point where the red and black runs split.

Arieșeni Ski Pass

Arieșeni ski lift

The Vartop-Arieșeni and Vartop-Nucet slopes usually open once there is a thick enough layer of snow for skiing. The ski season with the ski lifts and the chairlift usually starts around mid-December and ends in March.

Good to know: parking spaces are limited.

Vârtop 1 Slope

• Schedule: Monday – Sunday 9.00-17.00; night skiing: Friday-Saturday 17.00-20.00 – being updated for the 2023-2024 season

• Ski lift price – adults: 6 lei, children: 3 lei, without a pass – being updated for the 2023-2024 season

Vârtop 2 Slope

• Schedule: Monday – Thursday 10:00-17:00; night skiing: Friday-Sunday 10.00-20.00 – being updated for the 2023-2024 season

• Ski lift price: adults 3.5 lei (one ride), children 2.5 lei (one ride) – being updated for the 2023-2024 season

Other rates: 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 rides: from 17 lei/35 lei for adults (12 lei/25 lei for children) up to 300 lei for adults / 200 lei for children. – being updated for the 2023-2024 season

Rates for the Piatra Grăitoare chairlift in the 2023-2024 season:

NOTE: prices include VAT. A 10 RON deposit is charged for the card and refunded when the card is returned.

Chairlift schedule:

• Monday 12:00-17:00

• Tuesday – Thursday 10:00-17:00

• Friday 10:00-18:00

• Saturday 10:00-20:00

• Sunday 10:00-18:00

Accommodation in Arieșeni

Fir forest

Arieșeni offers a range of tourist accommodation, whether you are looking for comfort, authenticity or adventure:

1. Traditional guesthouses: A popular option is staying at traditional wooden guesthouses, which offer both modern comfort and the authentic feel of the area. They have mountain-style rooms decorated with items from the local culture and serve traditional food.

2. Mountain cabins: Arieșeni is known for its mountain cabins, which offer accommodation in simple rooms or dormitories, ideal for tourists who want to enjoy authentic mountain life. These cabins are set in the middle of nature, with impressive views of the mountain landscape.

3. Villas and vacation homes: For larger groups or families who want more space and privacy, there are villas and vacation homes to stay in. They come with modern amenities and often full kitchens, for a more independent stay.

4. Hotels and guesthouses with full services: For tourists looking for comfort and full service, the resort also has a few luxury hotels and guesthouses. These offer spacious rooms, facilities such as saunas, swimming pools or spas, and a variety of dining options.

5. Camping and glamping: For the more adventurous, there are also camping and glamping options near Arieșeni. This is a great way to experience nature to the fullest while still having access to basic facilities.

6. Mountain refuges: For tourists who enjoy longer mountain hikes or climbing, there are mountain refuges along the ridge trails, offering basic accommodation and shelter in the heart of the Apuseni Mountains.

It is a good idea to book in advance, especially in peak season, to make sure your preferred accommodation has availability.

Tourist Attractions in the Area

Mountain landscape at night

Several popular hiking trails start from the center of Arieșeni commune, leading to:

• waterfalls (Vârciorog Waterfall, Pătrăhăițești Waterfall, Pișoaia Waterfall);

• the ridge of the Bihor Mountains (the highest peak in the Apuseni Mountains, Curcubăta Mare – 1,848 m, 695 m lower than the highest peak in Romania);

• caves (Scărișoara Cave, Coiba Mare Cave)

Entrance to Scărișoara Cave

Tourist attractions in the area include:

• Scărișoara Ice Cave – the largest underground glacier in Romania;

• Bears' Cave – declared a scientific reserve and famous for its speleological formations;

• Vârtop Ice Cave or the Casa de Piatră Ice Cave – a site of archaeological significance, where the oldest trace of Neanderthal man in Romania was discovered;

• Focul Viu Cave – the second largest underground glacier in the country, after Scărișoara;

• Huda lui Papară Cave – impressive for the rare formations you can find here;

• Poarta lui Ionele Cave;

• Izbucul Tăuzului – a geological nature reserve;

• Ponor Citadels (Cetățile Ponorului) – an area with many karst phenomena;

• Groapa Ruginoasă – formed by intense erosion of the mountain;

• Roșia Montană – a settlement with a rich history of precious metal mining;

• The Lupșa and Posada monasteries;

• The wooden church in Arieșeni – on the list of historical monuments of Alba County.

All these interesting sights in and around Arieșeni commune make it a wonderful place to explore the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the region.

Weather in Arieșeni

In winter, the mountain areas of Arieșeni can see low temperatures and heavy snowfall, creating excellent conditions especially for skiers, but also for snowboarders.

In spring and summer the weather warms up, allowing tourists to explore the surrounding nature and enjoy the trails of Arieșeni commune.

Temperatures can vary considerably, so it is always a good idea to check the weather forecast before planning your trip to the area.

Recommended Activities

Here are a few ways to spend your free time in Arieșeni and the Apuseni Mountains. These activities will help you enjoy an active vacation in the heart of nature, in summer and winter alike:

1. Horse-drawn sleigh rides.

2. Taking part in local events, such as the Maidens' Fair (Târgul de Fete) on Mount Găina or the Tourism Fair in Albac.

3. Cycling on forest roads and mountain paths.

4. Experiencing village life in an authentic setting.

5. Relaxing walks through the forests and along the riverbanks.

6. Winter sports such as skiing or snowboarding.

7. Photography tours to capture the beauty of the mountain landscapes.

8. Cave tourism and speleotherapy in the caves of the area.

9. Mountain hikes to explore the spectacular landscapes of the Apuseni Mountains.

With snow-covered meadows, forests dressed in white and picturesque trails in summer, the Arieșeni resort attracts nature and sports lovers from all over the country.

If you love skiing or hiking, we also invite you to the resorts of Șureanu, Rânca, Voineasa, Parâng and Straja