Peștera Bârlogul Ursului (Apața)

In short: what to know before you go

The Bear's Den Cave (Peștera Bârlogul Ursului) is not a show cave. It is a speleological nature reserve, a protected area of national interest, in Apața commune, in the north of Brașov County — not in Zărnești, as it sometimes appears. It has no published opening hours, prices or tourist operator. Brașov Tourism lists it under guided caving, meaning a trip with a helmet, a headlamp and suitable equipment, together with a guide.

What the cave is

The reserve covers 1 hectare and lies at 726 m altitude, in the central part of the Perșani Mountains, on the northern slope of Măgura Hill. The cave is a network of horizontal galleries on two levels, shaped like a labyrinth. Its interest is twofold: speleological, for the draperies on its walls, and geological, for its limestone layers. It is also known as the Cave opposite Scocina (Peștera din fața Scocinei).

What the visit is like

Travel guides describe low ceilings: visitors wear protective equipment and can stand upright only at the exit. It is not a visit for young children, nor for anyone without hiking experience.

Opening hours and prices (checked 12 October 2026)

There are no published opening hours or prices. Check the official source, Brașov Tourism, and look for a guide or a caving club before you set off.

Getting there

From MAX International in Râșnov, go through Brașov and head north on the road towards Rupea, as far as Apața commune. From there, a travel guide describes a trail of about two and a half hours that is hard going: first on a forest road, then following the blue-cross waymark. You can see the distance to Apața on the map.