Blidari: Nature, Mountains and Cycling Route

Tăul lui Dumitru, an active oligotrophic moor on a plateau of pyroxene andesite, is located in Blidari. The plateau lies between the Sturului Valley and the Brazilor Valley. Tăul lui Dumitru is classified as a Category III natural monument. The Tăul lui Dumitru protected area was established by Law 5/2000. It is located in the locality of Blidari, within the administrative territory of Municipiul Baia Mare, and covers three hectares.

Nature and Mountain Landscape

Piatra Bulzului consists of volcanic megalithic rocks; the Bulzului summit reaches an altitude of 1,051 metres. In good weather, the panoramic view from Piatra Bulzului extends over Blidari, Firiza and the Firiza Reservoir. The view also reaches the northwestern slopes of Igniș Peak. The Sturului Valley is a habitat for bears. The Blidarului Valley waterfall is located a few dozen metres before the confluence of the Blidarului Valley and the Sturului Valley.

Thus, the area around Blidari specifically includes both a moor and volcanic rock formations, a summit, a waterfall and a valley that is a bear habitat. The view from Piatra Bulzului remains dependent on good weather conditions and includes several clearly identified places and landscape features.

Trails and Access

The Blidari–Poiana lui Dumitru–Pleşca itinerary includes a 9–10 km round-trip section from Poiana lui Dumitru to the Pleșca summit. This section takes approximately 4–5 hours. On the Munții Igniș: Blidari–Piatra Bulzului itinerary, the approach from Baia Mare covers 25 kilometres and follows paved roads. It passes through Firiza and Blidari to Păstrăvăria Pistruia.

Access to the Piatra-Lupului route leads from Baia Mare via Firiza and Blidari. Buses on the Baia Mare–Firiza–Blidari route, a private car and a mountain bike are specified as means of transport for this access.

For the Pleșca section, both the starting point at Poiana lui Dumitru and the Pleșca summit are identified. The approximate duration of four to five hours and the round-trip distance of nine to ten kilometres clearly define this trail section. By contrast, access to the Munții Igniș itinerary leads from Baia Mare via paved roads and through Firiza and Blidari to Păstrăvăria Pistruia; the route is 25 kilometres long.

Cycling Route

A hardtail mountain bike is considered the minimum equipment for the cycling route through Blidari. On the Baia Mare–Blidari and Șuior–Baia Mare sections, the route uses paved roads. The rest of the route follows forest roads. The cycling route passes the Stur quarry. The Sturului waterfall can be reached by descending into the valley.

The surface on the cycling route therefore alternates between the explicitly named paved sections and the remaining forest roads. In addition to the Stur quarry, the descent into the valley is also part of the described route towards the Sturului waterfall.

Culture

Traditional wooden houses can be seen along the route from Firiza to Blidari. These include houses with blue or green-painted façades. White bands of flowers can be found on the façades.

The cultural features lie directly along the connection from Firiza to Blidari: traditional wooden houses, blue or green façades and white bands of flowers. These details refer to the visible design of the houses along this route.

For the overarching travel overview: Municipiul Baia Mare.