The highest peak in Apuseni Mountains is Curcubatura Mare (1,849 m). This is fairly low altitude if compared to the highest peak in Romania – Varful Moldoveanu (2,544 m).
The Apuseni Mountains are extremely rich in precious natural resources, the most important of these being gold. The area has been exploited since the Dacian times and the exploitation expanded greatly during the Roman times.
The climate is typical for medium height mountains. It is wet and cold on the high peaks, while foehn winds blow on the south-west slopes.
The Apuseni Mountains have a significant water-way network. The most important rivers (Crisurile, Ariesul, Somesul Mic) spring from the Massif Central. Their flow is rich and constant.
The vegetation towards the peaks alternates the spruce and the coniferous forests. On the way down to the meadows in the valley, we pass through deciduous forests, hayfields and natural pastures.
The caves are one of the main tourist attractions here. Scarisoara Cave, Bears’ Cave, Meziad or The Living Flame Ice Cave are just some of them.
These are the most populated mountains in Romania. Nevertheless, don’t expect too many traces of civilization to be found here. The isolated hamlets, called groves, are almost deserted. But even so they still are a tourist magnet for people all over the world who are eager to find out how people lived here hundreds of years ago.