Vlădeasa Mountains

Munţii Vlădeasa (Romanian)

Vlegyásza-hegység / Kalota-havas (Hungarian)

The Vlădeasa Mountains are the northernmost of the three high central massifs of the Western Transylvanian (Apuseni) Mountains, which belong in the Southwestern Carpathians. Their northern boundary is formed by the Crişul Repede/Sebes-Körös river. They border on the plateau of Padis/Pádis in the south, along the following line: the upper course of the Crişul Pietros river - Boga - Cuciulat Pass - Rachiţele Valley. In the west, the valley of the Iad/Jád river separates the Vlădeasa Mountains from a lower mountain range known as Pădurea Craiului/Király-erdő (Royal Forest). On the east, the Vlădeasa Mountains are bounded by the Huedin/Bánffyhunyad Basin, i.e. the watersheds of the Săcueiu and Henţ rivers.

The main ridge of the Vlădeasa massif is about 50km long and resembles a horseshoe along whose axis the Drăgan/Dregán river runs northerly, dividing this massif into two segments. The eastern ridge boasts the highest peak named Vf.Vlădeasa/Vlegyásza or Vigyázó which tops out at 1836m. It is the third highest summit in the Apuseni Mountains. The western ridge is much lower, does not exceed 1500m in elevation and is not often visited by hikers. It rises over the valley of the Iad river and trends SSE, with the following summits: Stâna de Izvor (1339m) - Muncelaşu (1415m) - Piatra Calului/Ló-havas (1463m) - Vf.Muncei/Kis-havas (1411m) - Vf.Poienii/Mező-havas (1625m) - Vf.Bohodei/Istenek-havasa (1654m) - Vf.Fântăna Rece/Hideg-kút (1654m). Past Cornul Munţilor/Szegelet-havas the eastern ridge turns NE towards the summits of Vf.Cârligatele/Horgas-havas (1694m) - Coasta Brăiesei (1692m) - Vf.Briţei/Sík-havas (1759m) - Piatra Tâlharului/Tolvajoskő or Tolvajkő or Tolvajvár (1608m) - Vf.Miclău/Mikó-havas (1640m) - Nimăiasa/Néma-havas (1589m) - Vârfuraşu/Kis-havas (1688m) - Vf.Vlădeasa/Vigyázó (1836m).

Coasta Brăiesei

The relief of the Vlădeasa Mountains is characterized by broad, gentle, slightly undulating ridges (e.g.Vf.Cârligatele) and vast plateaus, which sport occasional rocky outcrops (e.g. Cetatea Bohodeiului, Golgota), blockfields (e.g. Vf.Buteasa), nival niches, crags (e.g. Piatra Tâlharului) and impressive cliff bands (e.g. Pietrele Albe/Fehér-kövek).

Piatra Tâlharului

This charming landscape is enriched by multiple caves (e.g. Vârfuraşu) and countless cascades, including the highest waterfall of the Vlădeasa Mountains named Săritoarea Bohodeiului, which is 80m tall.

The table below lists the highest as well as some other conspicuous summits.

Summit	Elevation in meters	Photo	A few words about
Vlădeasa	1836		The highest, twin-peaked summit, formed of rhyolite with a weather station on its top. In the eastern part of the main ridge. Accessible via a red dot trail.
Buteasa	1792		The second highest peak boasting interesting scenery (blockfields, nival niches on its east side, dwarf pine and junipers, no man-made structures, vast spruce woodland around, a botanical reserve). The summit makes for a superb vantage point affording fine views of the entire Vlădeasa range. It faces the highest massif in all of the Apuseni Mountains - the Bihor proper - across the Padis Plateau to the south. In the central part, about 5 km N of the main ridge. Red triangles.
Briţei	1759		In the central section. Blue stripes.
Cârligatele	1694		Elongated crest, steep S face and gentle N face, botanical preserve. In the central part about 1 km SW of Cumpănăţel pass. Red stripe traverse.
Vârfuraşu	1688		Namesake cave in its S side. In the eastern segment about 3 km SW of the highest peak. Blue stripe traverse.
Bohodei	1654		Cliffy W face, namesake cascade at its SW foot. In the western part. Red stripe traverse.
Poienii	1627		Pastures on its W side and junipers covering E side. In the western section. Red/blue stripe traverse.
Piatra Tâlharului	1608		Craggy witness of erosion. In the central part. Blue/yellow stripes.
Piatra Grăitoare	1557		Wooded top, the W face composed of two fascinating limestone cliffs named Pietrele Albe, nature reserve. In the eastern segment, about 3 km SE of the highest summit. Unmarked path.