Cheile Intregalde

Cheile Întregalde is a nature reserve of national interest located in western Transylvania, in the Munții Trascău, along the upper course of the Galda river. The reserve covers an area of 130 hectares, with a maximum altitude of 1,174 m at Vârful Plaiul and a minimum of 500 m at the riverbed. The two limestone peaks flanking the gorge are Plaiul (1,174 m, to the north) and Pleșa Caprei (1,139 m, to the south) — remnants of an ancient karst plateau carved out by the waters of the Gălzii. The main botanical feature of the reserve is the presence of edelweiss at the lowest altitude recorded in Romania — between 500 and 800 m — a phenomenon made possible by the cold air currents that pass through the gorge corridor. Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum var. întregaldense) and the narcissus (Narcissus stellaris) have been declared natural monuments. The flora also includes beech, sessile oak, hornbeam and birch. The reserve is part of the Trascău site of community importance and is included in the National Heritage of Natural Monuments. Access is via the DN1 Alba Iulia–Aiud road as far as Galda de Jos, then along DJ107K through the village of Modolești. It is well worth visiting for its spectacular karst scenery and its exceptional botanical rarity — edelweiss growing at lowland altitude.