It all started from the feeling of freedom experienced at every step in the running tours on the paths of Padurea Craiului. The idea of permanent running trails in Padurea Craiului has been around for some time. Now we can enjoy the first network of trail running trails in Padurea Craiului to everyone’s liking. Here’s how this concept has become a reality thanks to some great people who are committed to great things. Istvan Szokolszky, the founder of ACS Xterra Sport Bihor club, and his team identified, documented, and marked the mountain running trails.
“My dream has come true!
4-5 years ago when I started training for mountain running, I rediscovered Padurea Craiului, more precisely the karst area of Șuncuiuș and Vadu Crișului. An incredible variety of terrain in such a small location! I always want to pass on my feelings to others. I dreamed of mountain running trails, permanently marked, with a description that everyone understands, exposed maps, GPS tracks, photos, and other materials that come to our aid. We didn’t keep it a secret, we shared the idea, we ruminated on it, we discussed it, and we twisted it over and over again. There had to be a solution!!!
In the meantime, I organized the first editions of the competition in Padurea Craiului – Primavera Trail Race with my clubmates. The competition has grown year by year. The participants liked the route …and I was even more determined. I have to make these trails accessible anytime, for anyone.
Yes, my time has come! A year ago, my friend Paul Iacobaș, president of CAPDD Bihor, called me. “Hey, are you still interested in that running trails project? I think I’ve found funding!”. At that moment I was the happiest man on earth. We talked it over, drew up the plan, and got to work. Plans, debates, mapping, descriptions, trail rides, pictures, etc.
Finally, we did it! Today we finished the marking. There are 5 running routes to everyone’s liking. Three of them are in Șuncuiuș – Vadu Crișului – Pojorâta and two of them are in Lazuri de Roșia – Damiș – Poniță. The trails are superb. There are also short and varied trails, through streams, through gorges, there are difficult trails with technical ascents and descents, and there are trails through open glades and through spruce and beech forests. I’ve also done short 10km and long ultramarathon trails, but most of them are at 16 – 24km with a running time between 2 and 4 hours, depending on how prepared the runner is. All runners find a favorite, I’m sure. You have nothing else to do but run them! In the area, you find good accommodations with welcoming people. On the routes in Rosia, you won’t meet anyone on the weekends either, it’s a very quiet area. I recommend it to those who want to run and be more retired.
Until you have a chance to run them, you can enjoy the trail descriptions by Cristina Cecan, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart for her help. We worked very well on this project and I think there are more just as nice to come.
A friend for life …
As no good thing goes without the opposite, that’s how I found myself at the last marking session in Lazuri de Roșia. I arrived on Wednesday morning at Pensiunea Dorel Codoban (I highly recommend it) with the last marking boards. A white dog, about 9-10 months old, was at the pension entrance. He saw us in the car and started running after us. We unpacked, grabbed the backpack with the marking boards, and set off. The dog waited for us at the guesthouse gate and accompanied us all the way. He protected us from any danger that appeared on the trail, leaves, birds, mice, dogs, and people. He was playful and free. We were on the same wavelength. He was my shadow and he loved protein bars. After a full day of marking, when going back to the pension it came with me. Mihai Ciobanu left – thanks for the help!!! I was left alone in the pension with my new friend. He was educated, did not go inside, and sat nicely by the door. At night he defended the territory. The next morning, we ran a 15km round trip to the trout farm. He came with me, unbelievable! Since I’ve been hiking in the mountains I’ve met a pack of dogs that have accompanied me. This one was different… He didn’t ask me for anything, we played, passed each other, and looked after each other. We were two boys playing… We got back, and we both ate. The owner’s mother came and asked me how I got the dog and how long I’d had him. I thought it was yours! – I replied. It was behaving like being at home, and even more, it chased the owner’s dog away. We set off to mark. I was carrying a backpack of approximately 20kg with boards, screws, a battery-powered drill, and food for both of us. I had heavy legs but a light heart. Almost 9 hours of marking in scorching heat and rain at the end, supposedly kinder but with an orange code. We didn’t get more than a meter apart in that time, either walking like snails or running downhill. It was cool.
This morning I sat and kept thinking… It was the first time I wanted to take a dog with me. Although I don’t have the home conditions to responsibly raise a dog, it was very tempting. I knew we were leaving and when we got in the car, I desperately asked him again to come next to me, to get in. If he came, he was here with me. He ran from the car…
Goodbye my friend, see you again! You remained in my soul…”
The experience is recounted by Istvan and taken from his personal Facebook page.
Cover photo: taken from the official Facebook page
Project “Padurea Craiului, a better place to visit, a better place to live”, implemented by the Centre for Protected Areas and Sustainable Development Bihor (CAPDD) in collaboration with the sports club ACS Xterra Sport Bihor.
The project is funded through the program “Green Entrepreneurship – Development of Ecotourism Destinations in Romania”, a joint program of the Romanian-American Foundation and the Partnership Foundation.