Things to do
12-
Băile Herculane Railway Station
Look at the Habsburg-era station building as you arrive, then take a taxi or minibus up to the old spa: it is too far to walk with bags.
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Apollo Baths
Go inside here, because the Neptune Baths are shut: this is the one old bath house in the centre that opens its doors, daily and ticketed.
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Banat Sphinx
It sits about 8 km south on the DN6: look from the road or the dirt track and stay off the rocks, because horned vipers live on this slope.
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Cerna Cast Iron Bridge
Do not plan to cross it: the bridge is fenced off. Walk the riverside path on the left bank for the clearest view of its iron arch.
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Domogled Peak
Carry all your water and start early: fill up at the Domogled spring near the start, because there is none on the ridge, and the full loop takes seven to eight hours.
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Domogled Valea Cernei National Park
Drive north up the Cerna valley road to reach the park: the pensions along it are the quiet place to sleep, and the longer trails start from the road.
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Hercules Statue
Start your first walk here: Hercules Square is the small heart of the old spa, and the Apollo Baths and the Diana Baths are a few steps away.
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Neptune Baths
See it from the left bank across the river: the gate is as close as you can get, and the far bank gives you the whole front with the forest behind it.
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Seven Hot Springs
The free rock pools are on the riverbank beside the paid 7 Izvoare pool complex, which closes on Thursdays: bring a towel, water and shoes for the rocks, and keep each soak to about half an hour.
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Steam Cave
Carry water and step inside only briefly: the heat and damp are intense. The path up passes several lookouts over the valley.
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Thieves' Cave
Make it your first stop on the trail to the Steam Cave: it is only a few minutes from the road, so it also suits a short evening walk.
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Vânturătoarea Waterfall
Go in spring or after rain for the fullest fall of water, and wear boots with grip: the first part of the trail is steep.
