Rural Tourism

The whole landscape of the county is dominated by hills and mountains. The most important heights are to be found in the Vladeasa Mountains - 1,842 m - and in the Muntele Mare Mountains - 1,826 m. The Apuseni Mountains are mostly famous due to the extremely picturesque landscape, in which gently-sloping plains harmoniously alternate with the steep mountain sides. Tourists are delighted at the sight of the vast pastures, as well as when admiring the dazzling volcanic cupolas in the Cheile Turzii and Cheile Turenilor gorges. These are unique phenomena in Romania and even in Europe. Pestera Mare and Pestera Ponorului are but two of the well-known caves which shelter fantastic forms of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as significant speleological treasures. There are only a few small natural lakes in the area; nevertheless, two of them - Taul Stiucii and Taul Legii - are wild life reservations. The anthropo-saline lakes were created by flooding water into the deserted old salt-mines; these lakes are very deep and the high concentration of salt gives them therapeutic properties. The most important such chains of lakes are located in Turda, Cojocna, Sic and Ocna Dejului. Many villages within the county are agreeable places for leisure and rest, for spending a holiday or just a week-end. Out of the sites which are mostly attractive for tourists, we should mention the following:

· The Belis village - located on the side of a lake which is wonderful for water sports; extremely comfortable accommodation is available and you can enjoy the tasteful local dishes; all these can make even longer stays very agreeable

· The Gilau village - tourist attractions: the dam lake and the Somesul Rece Chalet

· The Maguri Racatau village - located in the Apuseni Mountains, on the upper basin of the Somesul Rece river. Its geographic location is extremely favorable for tourism, as the area encompasses seven protected wild life reservations, mostly appreciated by their visitors. Many permanent tourists in this area built holiday cottages here, thus refreshing this site with ancient folkloric traditions.

· The Izvorul Crisului village - offering quality facilities for accommodation and dining

· The Poieni village - located in the tourist area of Valea Draganului

· The Cojocna village - located on the side of two chlorosodic lakes which, despite the modest facilities, have therapeutic properties

· The Ciucea village - where you can visit the mausoleum of the poet Octavian Goga, as well as the museum named after him; the latter is located in an old castle, a monument of architecture

· The Iara village - the location of the Buru Chalet

· Recently, the area encompassing the villages of Belis, Maguri Racatau, Sacuieu, Sancrai, Poieni began to promote agrotourism which will enjoy a successful development

Near the Baisorii Mountain, in the vicinity of the old chalet, accommodation is provided in a new hotel, endowed with a ski slope. This tourist facilities are an excellent starting point for a hike in the Muntele Mare Massif, to Scarita-Belioara, Cheile Runcului, etc. Due to the fact that many villages are crossed by main roads and railways, that they are connected to the telecommunication networks and that they are involved in significant industrial activities, it is possible that they become towns if they improve their equipment and develop their economic and social situation. Some of the villages which are likely to undergo this change are: Apahida, Aghires, Gilau, Iara, Mociu.