Poarta lui Ionele Cave

Poarta lui Ionele Cave is situated on the right slope of Valea Ordâncușa, in the heart of Cheile Ordâncușii, on the territory of Gârda de Sus commune, Alba County, at an altitude of 890 m. Declared a natural monument in 1999 and included among Romania's protected areas, the cave is part of Parcul Natural Apuseni, one of the richest karst regions in Romania. The entrance is a portal about 22 m high, cut into Triassic limestone. The cave is 386 m long, with a vertical range of +26 m and two entrances. At the entrance, a spring outlet emerges from the rocky wall, surfacing through scree and forming a small stream with stones covered in green moss. During rainy periods or snowmelt a temporary lake forms in the inner gallery. Below the cave, the water flows over travertine cascades. The cave was fitted for visitors in 1989 by members of the Polaris Blaj caving club, with a footbridge over the travertine cascades, a path and stairs. In 2011 the local council planned metal stairs and walkways and closed access to the upper gallery to protect the two bat colonies. Access is from the centre of Gârda de Sus commune, along the paved road toward Ghețarul Scărișoara, through Cheile Ordâncușii, about 2.5 km from the commune centre along county road DJ 750. Nearby attractions include Grota Corobana lui Gârțău, Izbucul Cotețul Dobreștilor and, a few kilometres away, Ghețarul Scărișoara (Scărișoara Ice Cave). Did you know that in 1921 the cave was explored by Emil Racoviță, together with René Jeannel and Pierre Chappuis? Later, dye tracing with fluorescein showed that its water is connected to the Ghețarul de sub Zgurăști cave, about 130 m away.