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You can also go behind the Three Kings WaterfallPhoto: Vörös Attila, Hungarian Hiking Association
Most people approach the Padiș outing by road from Bogatelep. However, before driving up the Padiș serpentine, you can complete an ideally long hike, which is a great warm-up on the day of arrival among the western cliffs bordering the plateau. Although the route seems easy at first glance, significant elevation must be climbed right at the start on a somewhat challenging path. In return, you can admire the dizzying panorama of Csonka-kő, and a little later the sight of the Three Kings Waterfall which anchors us in the mud.
The hike perfectly prepares you for the expected experiences in Padiș: we must overcome strong, technical, difficult sections, but the experience lasts a lifetime. The route also includes exposed sections, all of which can be covered at a safe distance from the precipice. However, probably even the most skilled won't escape the adventure with dry feet: near the waterfalls we walk on muddy, slippery, very steep wetland.
Starting from Bogatelep (Satul de vacanţă Boga), we first climb the cliff of Csonka-kő (Piatra Ciungilor), from where there is a view over the village below our feet and, in the distance, the mountains bordering the Padiș Plateau, which are 200-300 meters higher than us. We continue with a visit to the waterfall under Csonka-kő: the waterfall system called the Three Kings Waterfall (Cascada Bulbuci) was named after the three wise men from the east by Gyula Czárán. At the top is Gáspár, below Menyhért, and at the bottom is the most spectacular and highest, the Boldizsár Waterfall. In the 20 m high Boldizsár Waterfall, the water falls from twice the height of Hungary's highest natural waterfall in Ilona Valley (Mátra). Another interesting fact about this waterfall is that one can also walk behind it on a path.
The waterfall is called Hárompüspök (Three Bishops) in many places, but we use its original Czárán name, the Three Kings Waterfall.
The builder of the karst, Gyula Czárán
The exploration of most of the sights in Padiș is owed to the geologist Gyula Czárán, considered one of the fathers of Hungarian tourism. At the end of the 19th century, Czárán explored the karst phenomena of Padiș from his own sources with the help of local guides. Not only did he map and visit the sites, but he also built an extensive hiking network with ladders and bridges. This great work took 25 years. Most of the plateau's impressive place names derive from Czárán, who also published his discoveries and work in journals.
Tourist paradise behind the karst
The Padiș Plateau (Platoul Padiş), located in the Transylvanian Alps (Munții Apuseni) and only 36 km² in area, has such a density of natural wonders that it can be considered one of Europe's most interesting and valuable karst hiking paradises. Remarkable gorges, caves, waterfalls, dolines, and numerous picturesque yet monumental karst phenomena are clustered here as closely as nowhere else on the continent. The area's flora and fauna are very rich; the natural forests and the traditionally pastured landscape together form a delightful unity.
Recommended period for the hike: In rainy or frosty weather, the steep rocky trail leading to Csonka-kő becomes dangerously slippery, so hiking here is not recommended then.
The detailed description of the route can be read under the Description menu.
Author’s recommendation
- We visit several viewpoints above steep cliff walls, where it is particularly important to stand steadily at a safe distance from the precipice.
- On this hike even the best shoes have a good chance of getting soaked, so a spare pair of socks can come in handy.
- On forest sections it is recommended to use a bear bell, especially if hiking alone. Otherwise, there is no need to fear bears in Padiș.
- On the plateau, food can mainly be obtained from accommodation providers; there is no shop in the area.
- The most practical accommodations are found at the lower bend of the Padiș serpentine road, on the Hungarian-owned trailer park or in Padiș (Padiş) itself (where you can choose from several options).
- It is worth downloading the Romanian mountain rescue service app called Salvamont.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
- We visit several viewpoints above steep cliff walls, where it is particularly important to stand steadily at a safe distance from the precipice.
- Near the waterfall expect steep, slippery, wet paths.
- Using bear bells is recommended, especially if hiking alone; however, there is no particular need to fear bears in this area.
- It is worth downloading the Romanian mountain rescue service app called Salvamont.
Tips and suggestions
- It is worth spending several days exploring Padiș’s unique sights: besides Boga-kő, the Szamos-bazár gorge, the huge cave-bearing Csodavár ravine, the atmospheric pine forests and meadows of the Padiș Plateau, the cliff formations opening wonderful panoramas, or even its spectacular pits resembling hell gates are highly recommended to discover.
- Well-marked, comfortably passable paths and Hungarian-language information boards aid orientation on the Padiș Plateau. Still, make sure to have the Természetjáró app on your phone, and download the map or route for offline use in advance as signal and mobile data coverage are often lacking.
Roadbook
Itinerary
- At the Csonka-kő junction (Towards Piatra Ciungilor) we set off on a very steep hiking trail marked with a blue triangle, which we follow until the junction after Csonka-kő (Piatra Ciungilor).
- At the junction turn left onto the path marked with a blue dot, where we take a detour to the Three Kings Waterfall (Cascada Bulbuci).
- From the Three Kings Waterfall (Cascada Bulbuci) we return to the hiking trail marked with a blue dot and walk to the junction.
- At the crossing continue straight on the hiking trail marked with a blue triangle until the next junction.
- At the next junction turn right onto the path marked with a blue cross, which leads back to the starting point, the Bogatelep junction (Towards Piatra Ciungilor).
Detailed description of the route
After parking the car on the road leading to Padiș, near the Csonka-kő junction (Towards Piatra Ciungilor), we need to find the path marked with a blue triangle heading northeast towards the mountain. From the very first meters, the hope of an easy hike fades away: sometimes we can only climb with the help of our hands. The first few hundred meters are particularly difficult but we also overcome a lot of elevation gain through the dense deciduous forest dominated by beech trees. After the hardships of the first half-kilometer, we find ourselves 160 meters higher, reaching a small ridge from which the view towards Bogatelep occasionally opens. As we continue upwards, the houses get smaller, the human noise disappears, and we hear only the roar of the stream.
After another 700 meters we arrive at the base of the wildly jagged rock cliff of Csonka-kő (Piatra Ciungilor), 280 meters higher than our starting point. The trail does not touch the cliff, but we strongly recommend a visit due to the panorama! Approaching the rocky outcrop, similar to high mountain peaks, requires basic climbing skills, which can be safely acquired here if you lack them. (The Csonka-kő was named Nyisztor-bérc after Dr. Gyula Czárán’s friend, judge Adorján Nyisztor.) A few trees hang into the panoramic view, but from here we can thoroughly observe the mountain ranges bordering the Padiș Plateau from the west and the tiny constructions of Bogatelep that look like anthills. Here, Csonka-kő no longer shadows the sound of the nearby Three Kings waterfall system.
We continue to follow the trail marked with a blue triangle; a slight descent follows. At a junction, turn left onto the path marked with a blue dot. We walk along a forestry road, mostly flat, then leaving it we cross the Bulbuk stream (Bulbuci), which feeds the waterfalls. Depending on the water level, crossing the creek may be adventurous, involving a wobbly, slippery beam over the bed. The trail turns steeply left and descends a few meters towards the waterfalls, running parallel and a few meters away from the watercourse. The water-soaked, muddy, sinking, slippery path makes falling easy, and fallen trees also hinder progress. Meanwhile, we have an excellent view of the plunging stream and soon arrive at Boldizsár, the highest and most spectacular part of the Three Kings Waterfall (Cascada Bulbuci).
Let's be forgiving with our hiking companions if a few choice words escape their lips in awe; few are used to such spectacular waterfalls. Boldizsár's main attraction is not its size, but that you can walk behind the path next to the rock. The strong, vigorous water jet creates vapor here, so although the water does not fall on us directly, we still get damp. After viewing the waterfall from all sides, return on the same path to the earlier road junction from which we came, and continue on the forest path marked with a blue triangle.
Soon we reach another junction where we turn right onto the hiking trail marked with a blue cross, leading through atmospheric forest sections back near the starting point on the Padiș road. The final narrow half kilometer to the car is thus along asphalt among holiday houses.
Public transport
- Bogatelep is not accessible by public transport.
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Directions
- The starting point of the route, the Csonka-kő hiking trail junction (Towards Piatra Ciungilor), can be reached by car; here the road branches off from the main Padiș road towards Bogatelep (Satul de vacanţă Boga).
Parking
- At the junction there are several places suitable for parking where the car can be left free of charge.
Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
- In Hungary, the Dimap publisher's 1:35000 scale tourist map titled The karst area of Padiș in Bihor can usually be obtained.
- Also available in Hungary is the Munții Nostri publisher's 1:55000 scale and the 1:25000 scale Padiș tourist maps depicting Bihorului, Platoul Padiş (MN17).
Equipment
- Basic hiking equipment includes boots, season-appropriate clothing, hiking poles, drinking water and food, crampons in winter, and using GPS for navigation. It is worth following the route in the Természetjáró app. With a subscription, offline navigation can also be downloaded.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions