The Presentation of the Area

- Lying on the west side of Romania , Apuseni Mountains is one of the most spectacular groups of Romanian Carpathians. Their massive aspect is due to the fact that they are fragmented by deep valleys (such as Aries and Somes valleys). Their lithological and structural complexity caused a great variety of landscapes, a contrasting relief, from their biggest features to the smallest ones. In harmony with this lithological and structural variety, and with the small differentia between the relief features, the limits of the Apuseni Mountains ' subdivisions were established: on the one hand, the discontinuity areas represented by deep valleys and large depressions; on the other hand, the different altitudes as a result of the tectonic division. Bihor Mountains group - the highest and the most massive group of Apuseni Mountains - dominated by three peripheral summits: Bihor Peak ( Cucurbata Mare Peak ) (1849 m) on the west side, Muntele Mare (1825 m) on the east side and Vlădeasa Mountain (1834 m) on the north side. These summits host one of the most extraordinary exo- and endokarst areas - Padiş Plateau - which lies between the springs of Arieş and Someşul Cald rivers and culminates with the spectacular karst complex, Cetăţile Ponorului. Specific to this area, are also the well-known glacier caves (Scărişoara, Focul Viu, Borţig etc) and the magnificent gorges of Galbena and Someşul Cald valleys. Muresului Mountains group - between Arieş and Mureş valleys - is characterised by a volcanic relief on the west side ( Metaliferi Mountains ) and a karst relief on the east side, dominated by rocky cliffs. Crisurilor Mountains group - lying between Mureş and Crişul Repede valleys - is formed of some low summits fragmented by gulf - depressions on the west side. The direct contact of the mountains with the plain makes this group to seem more massive and higher than the surrounding areas. The Jurasic and Cretacic limestones of Pădurea Craiului Mountains generated a great number of karstic phenomena of touristic importance. The variety of the rocks and their unique forms makes Apuseni Mountains to host one of the densest areas of natural reservations and monuments. This is an objective criterion for a region to contribute to a country's natural or scientific patrimony. This variety of landscapes eventually forms a unit that gathers the relief's features, the flora and fauna, and the people with their natural and traditional way of living - the mountain is the one that assures the Romanians a spiritual shelter and keep alive the essence of the human being.