The Pojorata route
| Start / finish | Șuncuiuș |
| Route | Șuncuiuș – Vadul Crișului Gym Hall – Devențului Caves – Pojorâta – Bătrânului Cave – Devențului Caves – Dealul Popii (Hill) – Pojorâta – Mișidului Valley – Șuncuiuș |
| Distance | 53 km |
| Cumulative positive level difference | 2604 m+ |
| Estimated maximum travel time | (in light running combined with hiking): 12 hours |
| Difficulty level | difficult (technical due to the presence of cliffs, steep climbs and descents, narrow paths with roots and stones; ultra-long run, large cumulative level difference) |
| Marking |  |
| Recommendations | technical running shoes, water at least 2 l regardless of temperature, food, clothing appropriate to the season and specifics of the trail, telephone, lighting source, a big smile |
| Observations | on the route there are three main water sources: at the gym hall in Vadu Crișului, at the river, before climbing the second time in Pojorâta, half a kilometer after the Batranului Cave |
Route description
On its first 14 km, the Pojorâta trail running route is common with the Deventului one. This route passes by the Devenţului caves, through the Crisului Repede Gorge and includes viewpoints on both sides.
Here, running cannot have an imposed rhythm, because the terrain is sometimes fragmented by stones and sometimes smooth and easy to walk ok. After reaching the top of the slope, the route goes towards the Batranului Cave, crossing a representative area for the landscape of the karst areas where fascinating colors stand out. After the feet have warmed up from the effort, next there is a cooling in the stream of Mișid which offers a boost of energy and vitality. Completing this circuit offers a unique experience that is definitely worth trying.
The route has a length of 53 kilometers and a cumulative level difference of 2,604 meters. The highest altitude on the route is only 689 meters. This makes the route open all year round.
The itinerary starts from the center of Şuncuiuş commune next to the information panel, with a flat area for the first 1.5 kilometers. This is followed by the first steep climb – a kind of single track – on the path known as “Czaran’s Steps”. The route continues on the ridge of the right slope and, after descending steeply, it reaches the sports hall in Vadu Crișului commune. Up to this point there are 6.7 kilometers and a level difference of about 500 meters. Here you cross the railway, to the left, and, on a section of 1.3 kilometers, the route follows the bank of Crisul Repede river upstream. Before reaching the old chalet, the route turns right and climbs steeply to the Deventului Caves.
Careful! In rainy weather, the ascent area to the viewpoints, otherwise quite steep, also becomes slippery.
Following the three caves comes another ascent stage, smoother than the previous one. Once at the top, the route continues on the level curve to Popii Hill. After another easy climb, once at the top, the route consumed its first 10 kilometers, with a level difference of about 950 meters.
The Pojorâta route continues with a wavy area, pleasant for runners, until, after a descent, it reaches the village of Pojorâta, the point through which the route passes three times. After a descent of about 2 kilometers, you reach the paved road and then, turning right, the route enters the forest. It follows 3 kilometers of ascending route, in which the route passes by the Șuncuiuș clay quarry.
Next, the route goes up and down, in short sectors, towards the direction of Pojorâta village. The route returns to the village of Pojorâta, from where a “speed” sector begins, about 10 kilometers long, with a descent that becomes more technical towards its end. This stage ends at Vadu Crisului Cave. Up to this point, 35 kilometers of the total length of the route have been covered.
Another steep climb follows from Vadu Crișului Cave to Popii Hill, which leads again to Pojorâta village. And again a speed descend, partially on an asphalt road, to Şuncuiuş commune.
Next to the school begins the wildest part of the route, 10 kilometers long with a level difference of 400 meters. The route crosses the Mişidului gorge, crossing the stream five times. On this part of the route, it crosses numerous areas with rocks, stones, roots and dry leaves, a real exercise of attention for athletes.
The route ends with a return to the center of Șucuiuș commune, on asphalt, at the information board. The Pojorâta circuit is a medium to difficult one, and a challenge for most beginner runners.
