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  4. Valea Sighiștelului

Karst reserve · Sat Sighiștel, com. Câmpani, la 8 km de Ștei · Free

Valea Sighiștelului

A wild valley with gorges, canyons and more than 150 caves along 9 km, in the Apuseni Natural Park.

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What to see
Why it's on the list

It holds Coliboaia Cave, with drawings over 30,000 years old, added in 2026 to Romania's UNESCO tentative list.

Bihor.info editorial team · Checked October 2026

About the place

The Valea Sighiștelului reserve covers 412.6 ha and takes in the upper river, with gorges, canyons, sinkholes and caves. There are more than 150 caves along about 9 km of the valley. Coliboaia Cave, about 5 km upstream of the village, has cave drawings over 30,000 years old and joined Romania's UNESCO tentative list in April 2026.

The caves are not developed for visitors. Coliboaia is an active cave open only to equipped cavers. There is no marked path along the whole valley: you often walk in the riverbed.

Good to know

  • Bring rubber boots and go in late summer, when the water is low.
  • Don't enter the caves without gear and a guide.
  • The road gets rough beyond Sighiștel; leave the car at the end of the village.

Opening hours

Opening hours are not confirmed. Check the venue's website before you go.