Meziad cave – Stâna de Vale
| Start / arrival | Meziad cave / Stâna de Vale |
| Route | Meziad Cave – Meziad Chalet – Meziad – Meziadului Valley (DJ764C) – Plopişului peak – Bălinţel Glade – Piatra Tisei peak – Mermezii peak – Voievodeasa Glade – Dealul lui Ilie peak – Dealu Mare peak – Muşunoaie ridge – Baita ridge – Stana de Vale |
| Distance | 25 km |
| Cumulative level difference | 784 m+, 1.422 m – |
| Estimated travel time | 7-8 hours |
| Marking |  |
| Accessibility | any season, but caution in winter – big snow |
| Discover | Meziad cave, Stâna de Vale resort, Wonder Spring |
Route description
The route of Meziad – Stâna de Vale, marked with a blue triangle, is quite difficult, taking into account the fact that it climbs over 1,000 meters difference in level, its highest point being in the vicinity of the Gaudeamus Chalet – Stâna de Vale.
Careful! Part of the route, which connected the outskirts of Meziad village with the cottage and the cave of the same name, over Leucuş (Boilor) hill and Şasei Valley, was closed by the Bihor Mountain Rescue Service. The route can be covered in about 7-8 hours, both in summer and winter, but requires extra caution when the cold season is rich in snow.
In this alternative, the route starts at the exit of the village of Meziad. We walk on the road that connects Meziad to the holiday village of Coada Lacului. We leave, on the left, the Strivinoasa Valley, and on the right we have the Şovaru Hill. This is where the hiking route practically begins. Identifying the blue triangle marking, we turn right and start climbing steadily.
We reach a meadow, at an altitude of 400 meters. We walk along its edge and the route begins to turn slightly to the left. After another stretch of road, we will have Măguricei Peak on the right (649 meters). We advance through the forest and notice that the route turns sharply to the right. We reach the Plopisului Peak (807 meters). From here, following the marked route, we will reach the Bălinţel Glade, guarded by the peak with the same name. We climb and reach the Piatra Tisei Peak (1057 meters), with its beautiful viewpoint.
From this point, our route descends, and then climbs again, to Mermezii Peak (1058 meters). A loop, left-right, and we descend into the Voivodeasa Glade. After crossing the Cincşorii Glade, we climb Ilie’s hill. Arriving under Dealul Mare Peak (1,210 meters altitude) we keep it ahead and descend, on the road, in Muşuroaie ridge – 1,080 meters altitude. From here we follow the road 764A, to Stâna de Vale. We pass through Băiţa ridge, at 1,197 meters altitude, and then descend to the mountain resort once considered the “pearl of Bihor tourism”.
