# Arieșeni

Arieseni is a city in Alba County in Romania.

## Get in

By bus from Alba-Iulia, Oradea, Cluj-Napoca or Timisoara.

## See

* Varciorog Waterfall. NE of the Biharia group of mountains, on the Vârciong valley, affluent to the White River. Situated in the village Vamvuceşti – Arieşeni, at the bottom of Piatra Grăitoare peak, the Vârciorog waterfall is a landscape reservation that stands 15 m tall. Situated 5 km from the center of Arieşeni it is accessible also in the winter season when the forest road is not snowed in. Close by you can find blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, near the waterfall it is possible to make a barbecue, a camp fire or just to sunbathe. The best period to see the waterfall is in the springtime, when the flow of the Vârciorog river has reached its peak. The largest number of visitors is usually during summer and autumn.
* Ruginoasa Hole. The enormous cavity is dug by water in red, violet and yellow sand stone, making it a unique phenomenon in our country. It is the result of a powerful erosion process with a 600 m diameter and a depth of 100 m. The erosion is still in process and the hole gets bigger and bigger over the years. For example, 80 years ago – on old maps – the place was marked down as a small gap. The edges are sharp, like razors that point to the center of the hole. Situated 9 km from Arieşeni after finishing a 50-minute walk off the road (including 10-15 minutes climb), the hole can be admired in its entire splendor. The road is accessible all year round and is marked on the DN75 road. Be careful of the hole sides because they are not well consolidated.
* Patrahaitesti Waterfall. It is 14 m high and is also referred to as the Bucinis waterfall, because of its position on the Bucinis river valley. It is best to see it at springtime, when snow melts and the waterfall is more impressive. During summer, the surroundings are filled with burdock flowers (mini sunflowers).
* Bihorul Peak.
* Piatra Graitoare Peak.
* Curcubata Mica Peak.
* Coiba Mare Cave.
* Coiba Mica Cave.
* Vartop Cave.
* Intermitent Sprint Tauz.
* Vartop Ski Slope.
* Patrahaitesti Museum. The Părăhăiţeşti hamlet is one of the most isolated human settlings in Apuseni, and is one of the 18 villages that are part of Arieşeni, situated at over 1,200 m altitude. In the summer you can reach here by car, on a forest road 5 km away from the main road. The locals are welcoming, known for their famous huckleberry drink. Thanks to the hundred year old tradition of most of the inhabitants, they have become skilled handymen in creating handcrafted objects from wood and textiles that we usually see in a museum. Here you can purchase handmade objects from wood, made by skilled craftsmen. It is accessible by car.

## Do

Treking in the mountain where you can visit lots of beautiful places like waterfall, peaks and lots and lots of caves. Ski on 3 slopes in Vartop-Arieseni and Vartop-Nucet.

## Buy

"Tulnice" and other wood objects made by hand by "moti" people.

## Eat

Traditional food like "balmos", traditional pie "placinta pe lespede" and a lot of foods made from natural ingredients.

## Drink

You can drink:
* "afinata" - a very popular drink made from blueberry
* "ciresata" - a traditional drink made from wild cherries
* "palinca"

## Sleep

* Casa Motului Guesthouse, Galbena Village 468 Arieseni, ☏ +40 743206529. 6 km away from the Vartop sky facility in the Apuseni Mountains, on the road that connects Cluj Napoca with Oradea city, Casa Motului is a beautiful guesthouse that can accommodate up to 30 people in 13 single, double or multiple rooms. The whole house is designed according to local tradition, in a rustic decor, with hand-woven bedclothes from linen and hemp. Facilities include: free internet wireless, fireplaces, kids room, bar, restaurant, grill/barbecue, private parking, garden. Single/double with breakfast 130/160 lei; half-board 180/260 lei. (updated Mar 2017)