Găureni Forest

Departure from Aluniș, Bistrița-Năsăud County, northern Romania.
From Zagra, take the road to the right of the church and follow the sign for “Aluniș”. The dirt track, strewn with large stones, is difficult for a car and is only tarmac-surfaced at the entrance to the village. It is best to travel there in a high-clearance vehicle.
There is space to park near the “Cămin Cultural” (Cultural Centre), in the centre of the village.

Other starting points: see § Practical information.

(S/E) From the crossroads near the "Cămin Cultural" in the centre of the village, take the path on the right, heading east.

(1) After the last houses, cross the stream to the right and join a path that branches off to the left and then becomes a track. Follow this track uphill, ignoring the side paths, until you reach a crossroads near a farm.

(2) At the junction, follow the path on the right for 200 m.

(3) Turn right onto a path that descends into a valley and then enters the forest. As you emerge from the forest, this path turns left, heading west, and overlooks the stream that runs alongside the village.

At the “Cămin Cultural”, head down to the right and cross the stream.
Return to the crossroads near the "Cămin Cultural" and head back to the car park in the centre of the village (S/E).

It is possible to reach Aluniș on foot, via the route from Zagra: https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-les-... or from the village of Poienile Zagrei: https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-/284...

Make sure you have a large stick with you in case you encounter sheepdogs, but don’t wave it about – just use it to protect your calves…

A lodge is planned for the village. Ask for Florea Bobol or Grigore Bașota regarding potential accommodation. Pronounce "Floréa Bobol - Grigoré Bachota". The Bașota farm is just before (1) and the Florea Bobol farm is the first house as you enter Aluniș from Poieni (see link above).
Say "cazare" (pronounced cazaré) to ask for accommodation and "masa" (massa) for a meal. For bed and board, say "cazare cu masa" (cazaré cou massa).

There is a small shop-cum-bar just above the Cultural Centre and the school complex, but it is sometimes closed when the villagers are out in the fields or haymaking. It is best to stock up in Zagra before coming to Aluniș.
You can ask the villagers for water (say “apa”).

The villagers usually refer to their village by its old name, Găureni (pronounced Guehourègne). The current name, Aluniș (Alounich), which means ‘hazel forest’, was imposed by the Stalinist regime without the inhabitants’ consent. This name comes from Găură, meaning ‘hole’, and roughly translates as ‘those of the hole’. You will easily understand why when you look down on the village from the top of the hill.

The interior of the church in Aluniș is richly painted. You must ask the villagers for permission to visit it.

In summer, it is possible to climb the hill to the shepherds’ camp, provided you can find a villager to guide you. Otherwise, the welcome from the sheepdogs (up to 10 Carpathian Shepherd Dogs) is formidable!