Turzii Gorges Circuit, Trascău Mountains

Petreștii de Jos (470 m) - Cheile Turzii - Cheile Turzii Hut (450 m) - Colții Mischiului (680 m) - La Gura Cheii (500 m) - Petreștii de Jos (470 m)

Access

Access is through Petreștii de Jos (CJ), Cheile Turzii street. Park for free in a clearing, on the left bank of the Hășdate river, opposite the Cheile Turzii Camping. Here we found a caravan selling coffee and langois. From Cluj-Napoca, it's 30 km from Cluj-Napoca, a 40-minute drive via DN1, DJ103G and DJ107L.

About Turzii Gorges Circuit

This trail aims to present the majesty of the Turzii Gorges in the Trascău Mountains, both from below, from the water's edge, and from above, from the right side of the gorges. The Turzii Gorges are a protected area of national interest. They are formed by the Hășdate river in Jur Jurassic limestones and are located 6 km west of the city of Turda. The length of the Turzii Gorges is 1.3 km. The highest wall, the Giant Wall, is 200 m high.

Route map

(click on objectives for extended version)

Technical box

Difficulty: medium
Duration / distance: 4 hours / 9 km
Marking: red cross / red dot
Water sources: at the campsite and at the cottage
Minimum elevation: 430 meters, at the Gorges Gate (bridge 4), point 5 on the map
Maximum altitude: 760 meters, between map points 8 and 9
Level difference: +460 m / -460 m
Remarks: well unmarked trail, with many viewpoints; accessible all year round and forbidden during periods at risk of flooding.

1. Petreștii de Jos (470 m) - Cheile Turzii - Cheile Turzii Hut (450 m)

1 hour / 2.5 km / easy / red cross

This is the version through the quays, which is also the most traveled. The route alternately follows the banks of the river Hășdate, crossing 4 bridges: the Bridge of the Caves, the Middle of the Keys, the Washed Burrow and the Gate of the Keys. From time to time the floods show their incredible force and destroy them. On several stretches, safety cables are fixed into the rock to reduce the risk of slipping. However I recommend wearing footwear with grippy soles.
About 10 minutes from the entrance to the trail, on the left side is Șura lui Bălică, where limestone arches have formed. Especially on the left slope there are many climbing trails, which have their names and degree of difficulty marked on the rock. We leave the Scorușului Ridge, Zurușul Lung, Colțul Ascuțit, Coșul Hilii on the left and reach the Giant Wall, which rises 200 meters above us. After the Yellow Tower we exit the gorge. We take the last bridge and cross it to reach the Cheile Turzii Hut, which we find closed. And how beautiful it is!

let's hit the road!

Ballică's Shura

Turzii Gorges

Cave Bridge

Sharp Corner

Hășdate river in Cheile Turzii

The Giant Wall

Middle Key Bridge

red cross marking

Gate of the Keys

nature is reborn

2. Cheile Turzii Hut (450 m) - Colții Mischiului (680 m)

1 hour 15 minutes / 1.9 km / medium / red dot

This segment is the only more demanding because we will climb 250 meters difference in level. There are 2 variants, one starts from near Portița Cheilor, right next to the bridge, the other from the mountain rescue shelter. Here we met 3 deer, but I didn't manage to photograph them fast enough. The 2 trails meet, higher, in the forest. We also have an important fork where we split off from the trail leading into the Borzești Gorges, we turn right on the same red point. The junction is labeled on the signpost as the gentle climb. We have traveled 30-40 minutes from the hut. We are half way up.
The path climbs further up, the întâlite flowers sweeten the climb. Many a fluffy little finger we posed. We emerge above the forest at the first viewpoint towards Turda. The climb ends at the point called La Dos. We are above the right slope and are speechless with admiration. A signpost helps us to identify both the formations on the opposite slope with the Ascuți Tower, the Uriaș Wall, the Pripoanele and those on our flank with the Suurime Wall, the Crăpat Corner and the Sânșii Corner. Wonderful!

Cheile Turzii Chalet

The Keys Gate Bridge

Mischiului Fangs

Woliocei

Urcușul Domol intersection

stones and flower

Turda panorama

spring flowers

Cross above the Giant Wall

3. Colții Mischiului (680 m) - La Gura Cheii (500 m) - Petreștii de Jos (470 m)

1.5 hours / 3.9 km / easy / red dot

From now on we move smoothly, almost flat, along the ridge of the right slope above some impressive cliffs below us such as Wolf's Ridge, Schur's Ridge, Cracked Corner, Suurime, Several viewpoints offer outstanding panoramas. We wave to tourists on the opposite flank. We tackle the longer and smoother descent that passes through the point called La Gura Cheii. At this point, the trail turns almost 180 degrees to offer the most beautiful view of the upstream entrance to the Turzii Gorges.

Turzii Gorges upstream

The Giant Wall

whispers, the cracked corner and the eagles' wall

left slope

Petreștii de Mijloc

red dot marking

Apuseni Mountains

salix atrocinerea

cheerful at the end of the road

Conclusion

The Turzii Gorges Circuit is a spectacular route in the Trascău Mountains, easily accessible with many viewpoints. There are 3 ways to enjoy the Turzii Gorges. You can do a circuit trail through the gorges and closed on one of the sides or the other way around or you can just do a loop on the 2 sides.

Visit the Turzii Gorges! Only good!

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