Poarta Zmeilor (Dragons' Gate) and Sipote Waterfall

The basics:

• Driving time/distance from Cluj: ~ 1.2 hrs/70 km (43 miles)
• Public transportation: not available :(
• Total ascent: 810 meters (2650 feet)
• Walking distance: 10 km (6 miles)
• Estimated time to complete this trail: 4 to 6 hrs
• Trail starting point in Google Maps (this is where you can park)
• trail signs to follow:
  

Trail description and tips

Once you park the car you'll have to cross a narrow suspended bridge across the river. Look for the red cross trail sign. 10-15 minutes later you'l cross another bridge over a small creek. Follow the red cross sign into the forest. Your first point of interest is the Sipote Waterfall. It is a small, but nevertheless beautiful waterfall. The rock in the area is travertine, a form of limestone which gets eroded easily.

From the falls go back towards the main trail and keep following the same red cross sign - you'll basically hike to the top of the mountain. Poarta Zmeilor (Dragons' Gate) is a spectacular rock formation carved over millions of years by wind and precipitation. You'll also find a cave here - it has a pretty narrow entrance, but once you're inside, the ceiling is quite high. There are bat colonies inside the cave, you can see them attached to the ceiling.

The "Balcony" is actually the most popular attraction here. It is an actual wooden balcony built on the edge of the mountain and the view across the Aries River Valley and the surrounding area is quite breathtaking. You'll get to it first, then you'll have a 5 minute descent towards the Dragons' Gate.

To complete the trail and return to the car walk back until you get to the falls area. Here look for the path marked with a red triangle - enter this path and head south. You will at some point cross another trail with a yellow stripe mark - head west on this path.