Enough with the explorations of light, let's embark on a bold and ... dark action!
Tired of a healthy stretch of mountain and fresh snow on the edge of Piatra Craiului and being in Zărnești, in Brașov County, we decided on a December morning to go to the Bat Cave, where we found out that the colonies of bats ready to host for a short time two shy travelers. It is found in the village of Peştera, which received its name from the speleological form that takes place there.
We drank our coffee in the morning in the harsh winter mountain air, air that drove away any trace of sleep and gave us the energy to start with pleasure towards our goal immersed in darkness.
Bat Cave - also called Bădichii Cave or Big Cave -, in addition to being full, as its name suggests, of these fascinating mammals, is a protected natural area listed in the protection area of Piatra Craiului National Park . It is a warm, humid cave, which was formed by the infiltration into the calcareous mountain of the Valea cu Cale brook, measuring 370 meters long, with an active gallery of 109 meters and an unevenness of 10 meters.
Enough speleology. We will bring science to the forefront a little later.
"After coffee", we start from Zărnești to Peștera village, on the DN73 road, crossing Predeluț village and Bran commune. Peştera village is an idyllic settlement, laid on a road that winds from Moieciu commune to Piatra Craiului National Park, up to an altitude of 1200 meters. The climb by car takes about 15 minutes.
Advancing on the serpentines, we felt like two children in a carousel, at the end of which, at the "top" of Peştera village, a surprise awaited us, namely the beauty of the Piatra Craiului and Bucegi Mountains, revealed in the following photos.
After admiring the panorama, we left the car aside, turned right from the main road according to a sign and here we are at the Bat Cave.
We put on our fronts and went into the unknown.
We found out that there are many colonies of bats in the cave, the predominant species being the small horseshoe bat. They survive indoors on various types of limestone formations, found in rooms with ceilings of various colors, and the most famous limestone formations in the cave are called "tears of the earth".
We were happy when we had the chance to closely admire the bats "hanging" at our level.
We were also amazed by the arrangement of the limestone formations, formations that gave free rein to the imagination.
At the end of the adventure, after traversing almost every room in the cave, I went out into the light, once again having the chance to observe the painting spread on the canvas of this special country.
As practical advice, you will find useful equipment to protect you from clay and guano (bat droppings), as well as a powerful headlamp to allow you to admire the high ceiling of the cave. You may find "surprises" hanging from it and you wouldn't want to miss them!
If you were fascinated by the idea of embarking on this adventure and you have questions, let us know.
As many fascinating moments as possible!
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