Serving as a gateway to Apuseni Natural Park, Gârda de Sus is a sprawling Transylvanian commune that comprises 17 villages. These include its namesake village, Gârda de Sus, which serves as a starting point for hikes to spectacular gorges, glacier caves and the sinkholes of the Padis Plateau.
Things to do in Gârda de Sus
Gârda de Sus is famed for its highly photogenic wooden church, which was originally constructed in 1792 and is topped by a whitewashed spire. It houses beautiful paintings depicting scenes from the Bible that were created by Simeon Silaghi in 1804. Surrounding the church is a small graveyard where some of Gârda de Sus’s most prominent residents are laid to rest.
A short drive north of Gârda de Sus will take you to the Ordâncușa Ravine, which forms part of the magnificent Apuseni Natural Park. Follow the scenic route that winds its way through the gorge, with waterfalls tumbling down to the Ordâncușa Stream. Among the many caves etched into the surrounding walls is Ionele’s Gate Cave, which extends for more than 130 metres and can be accessed with the help of local guides.
Also nearby is the Scărișoara Glacier Cave, which is one of the largest ice caves in the Apuseni Mountains. Formed around 3,500 years ago during a period of glaciation, it is named after its unique underground glacier. Among its spectacular caverns are the “Church”, which preserves more than 100 ice stalagmites, and the “Great Hall” with its pool of ice.
Getting around Gârda de Sus
Gârda de Sus is around 2.5 hours’ drive from Cluj-Napoca and Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Gârda de Sus and exploring the surrounding area.