The Devențului route
| Start/Sosire | Șuncuiuș, center |
| Route | Șuncuiuș – Vadul Crișului Sport Hall – Devențului Caves – Pojorâta – Șuncuiuș |
| Distance | 16 km |
| Cumulative positive level difference | 1000 m+ |
| Estimated maximum travel time | ((light running combined with hiking)): 4 hours |
| Difficulty level | medium to difficult (technical character due to the presence of rocks, steep climbs and descents, narrow paths with roots and stones) |
| Marking |  |
| Recommendations | running shoes with technical profile, water at least 1 l regardless of temperature, food, clothing appropriate to the season and the specifics of trail, telephone, lighting source, a big mile |
Route description
The Devențului route reveals to the athletes who cross it panoramic images over the Crisului Repede Gorge, offering them the possibility to run in an area defined by ispectacular karst landscape. Running on the route can be a delight, both for the soul and for the body of the athletes.
The mountain running route has a length of 16 kilometers, with 1,000 meters of cumulative level difference. The route starts from the center of Șuncuiuș commune, crosses the bridge and continues to the left, on a wide path, following downstream the right bank of Crişul Repede river. For 1.5 kilometers, the route runs parallel to the railway and then, before the tunnel, crosses the train tracks and climbs on the path called “Czaran’s steps”.
For the next 3 kilometers, the mountain running route accumulates a positive level difference of about 300 meters. On this section it is identical with the hiking route marked with a yellow or blue dot, which runs along the top of the right slope of the gorge, and then descends to the commune of Vadu Crişului.
From this point, the route turns left, going practically upstream for about 500 meters on an unpaved road. The route crosses the railway and over the bridge over Crişul Repede. From here the route crosses on the other side of the gorge.
After the bridge, the runners’ itinerary follows the tourist path marked with a red triangle, until the sign that marks the beginning of the climb to the Devențului Cave. The ascent which is about 2 kilometers long and has level difference of 400 meters, is technical, sprinkled with numerous limestone cliffs. The effort is well worth it. The viewpoint, as well as a good opportunity to rest, offers a splendid panorama over the Crisului Repede Gorge.
The route continues – just as technically as before – on the narrow path, climbing to the intersection of two forest roads. From this point, the runners will take a left, towards a slight descent which, imperceptibly, turns into a seemingly flat part.
The route continues to the left to reach the intersection of several paths. This is the point where the route turns to the right and follows the red triangle tourist marking towards Dealul Popii, up to a meadow which is, again, a nice place to stop. Up to this point, 10 kilometers were covered with a positive level difference of 900 meters.
From the perspective of the mountain runner, the challenge represented by this route means precisely the alternation of sustained and technical climbs with sections during which the athletes can gather their strength.
After a short descent through a meadow, the route climbs a little to the left and enters the forest. This is the starting point of a technical descent that ends with a short turn to the right, the place marking the beginning of another part of the route that climbs steadily to the first houses from the village of Pojorata.
From this point, the route is descending again on the red triangle tourist marking, to the intersection with the main street of the village, not far from the school building. From here, turning left, the runners have in front a 1 kilometer long descent, which leads to the asphalt road from the village of Zece Hotare on which they descend, for about 2 kilometers, to the center of Şuncuiuş commune.
The Devențului trail running route is a circuit, with a medium to high degree of difficulty, being recommended for people with good physical condition, equipment and technical skills specific to trail running. The route can be traveled by anyone, but caution, good study of the map, experience in hiking, proper nutrition and hydration throughout it are indicated.
