The Apuseni Natural Park (Romanian: Parcul Natural Apuseni) is a protected area (natural park category V IUCN) situated in Romania, in the administrative territory of counties Alba (28%), Bihor (32 %), and Cluj (40%).[2][3]
Location[edit]
The Natural Park is located in western Romania in the central-northern side of the Apuseni Mountains, comprising part of the Bihor Mountains to the south and Vlădeasa Mountains [ro] to the north. It is situated on the administrative territory of 16 communes, which include 53 localities fully and 8 others partially. The Park features 3 resorts: Boga, Fântânele, and Vârtop.[3]
Natural reserves[edit]
The Apuseni Natural Park with an area of 75,784 ha (187,270 acres)[4] was declared natural protected area by the Law Number 5 of March 6, 2000 (published in the Monitorul Oficial of Romania, Number 152 of April 12, 2000)[5] and represents a mountainous area (mountain peaks, cirques, caves, valleys, karst areas, forests, and pastures), with flora and fauna specific to the Western Carpathians.
Natural reserves included in the park:
Alba County[6]
Portal of the Coiba Mare Cave
Avenul din Hoanca Urzicarului [ro], 1 ha (2.5 acres)
Coiba Mare Cave [ro], 0.5 ha (1.2 acres)
Ghețarul de la Vârtop Cave [ro], 1 ha (2.5 acres)
Izbucul de la Cotețul Dobreștilor [ro], 0.2 ha (0.49 acres)
Izbucul Mătișești [ro], 2 ha (4.9 acres)
Izbucul Tăuzului [ro], 1 ha (2.5 acres)
Scărișoara Cave, 1 ha (2.5 acres)
Cârligați Peak
Bihor County[7]
Avenul Borțigului [ro], 0.1 ha (0.25 acres)
Bears' Cave, 1 ha (2.5 acres)
Cârligați Peak [ro], 10 ha (25 acres)
Cerbului Cave - Avenul cu Vacă [ro], 45 ha (110 acres)
Cetatea Rădesei Cave [ro], 20 ha (49 acres)
Cetățile Ponorului [ro], 14.9 ha (37 acres)
Ciur Izbuc Cave [ro], 0.1 ha (0.25 acres)
Fâneața Izvoarelor Crișul Pietros [ro], 1 ha (2.5 acres)
Ghețarul Focul Viu Cave [ro], 0.1 ha (0.25 acres)
Groapa de la Bârsa [ro], 30 ha (74 acres)
Groapa Ruginoasa - Valea Seacă [ro], 20.4 ha (50 acres)
Micula’s Cave [ro], 0.1 ha (0.25 acres)
Pietrele Boghii [ro], 38.4 ha (95 acres)
Valea Galbenei
Pietrele Galbenei [ro], 6.3 ha (16 acres)
Platoul carstic Lumea Pierdută [ro], 39 ha (96 acres)
Platoul carstic Padiș [ro], 39 ha (96 acres)
Poiana Florilor [ro], 1 ha (2.5 acres)
Săritoarea Bohodeiului [ro], 32.9 ha (81 acres)
Smeii de la Onceasa Cave [ro], 0.5 ha (1.2 acres)
Valea Galbenei [ro], 70.5 ha (174 acres)
Valea Sighiștelului [ro], 412.6 ha (1,020 acres)
Vârful Biserica Moțului [ro], 3 ha (7.4 acres)
Cluj County
Molhașul Mare de la Izbuc [ro], 8 ha (20 acres)