Valea Drăganului – Waterfall, Hiking Trails and Lacul Drăgan

Nature

The Moara Dracului Waterfall is located near Valea Drăganului and Stâna de Vale on the western slope of the Vlădeasa Mountains. The Ciripa–Moara Dracului hiking route begins at the Ciripa forestry district office in Valea Drăganului at an elevation of 1,046 metres and leads to the waterfall in about two hours. The starting point and destination are therefore clearly identified: the route connects the forestry district office with the waterfall on the mountain slope.

Hiking Routes

One trail leads downhill from Vlădeasa into Valea Drăganului. Piatra Bănișorului is part of its route, and the trail runs entirely along forest roads. Another marked route leads from Valea Drăganului to Cabana Vlădeasa via Vișagu and Piatra Bănișorului. Its first section initially follows the county road towards Lunca Vișagului. After 1.5 kilometres, the route leaves the county road at the junction with the road to Tranișu. Thus, both the named intermediate locations and the exact point of the turn-off are part of the route description.

Landscape

Piatra Bănișorului is a rock formation with a cross at its summit. The cross commemorates the heroes from Vișagu, while Piatra Bănișorului recalls the battles from the time of Avram Iancu. The rock formation, summit cross and the two historical references give this point its own significance in addition to its place along the route.

Water

The tourist trail in Valea Drăganului begins at the Valea Drăganului CFR railway stop, which is located at an elevation of about 550 metres. Around the Drăgan Reservoir, a trail runs across the end of the lake via Valea Drăganului. Lacul Drăgan is located in Valea Drăganului at the confluence of the Drăgan and Sebeșel rivers. Organised kayaking tours take place regularly on the lake. Thus, both a trail along the reservoir and the confluence of the two rivers are part of the description of the area’s waters.

Culture

The Orthodox Church of Valea Drăganului was built between 1972 and 1982. Its design was inspired by the Church of Curtea de Argeș. The construction period and architectural inspiration represent two distinct historical details about the church.

Local Character

The access road to Valea Drăganului crosses the railway line and the Crișul Repede River before reaching the village. After entering the village, the road follows the left bank of the Drăgan River. The railway line, Crișul Repede and the left bank of the Drăgan define the named sections of the approach road.

Activities

WildWheels rents ATVs in Valea Drăganului for relaxed rides, excursions, tours and team-building activities. These stated uses form a separate activity area alongside the hiking trails and the regularly organised kayaking tours.

For the hike to the waterfall, the Ciripa forestry district office is the stated starting point; the approximately two-hour duration describes the route to the destination. On the route to Cabana Vlădeasa, the first section follows the county road towards Lunca Vișagului before, after 1.5 kilometres, reaching the turn-off to the road to Tranișu.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cluj-Napoca.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Bica, Săcuieu, Luna De Sus, Băișoara, Someșu Rece, Sic, Suatu, Poieni.