La Zaplaz

Deubel Löcher - Deubel Holes

Useful Information

Location:	Sătic. (45.525690, 25.203630)
Open:	no restrictions. [2022]
Fee:	free. [2022]
Classification:	Natural Bridge
Light:	n/a
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	La Zaplaz
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1886	discovered by Friedrich Deubel and two friends.
1904	Siebenbürgischer Karpaten Verein (SKV) fixes chains along the most difficult sections.

Description

La Zaplaz (The Fence) are well known in older literature as Deubel Löcher (Deubel Holes), named after Friedrich Deubel from Braşov, which was at this time known as Kronstadt. The site was discovered when this area still belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and literature was written in German. Friedrich Deubel was a mountaineer and after climbing La Om peak in August 1886 with two friends, they chose a new route for the descent. One year later he marked the route with red signs, which then became known as Deubel's Route. In 1904 the Siebenbürgischer Karpaten Verein (SKV) fixed chains along the most difficult sections, and the route became known as La lanţuri (the chains).

This is a collapsed cave in its last state, before it becomes a roofless cave or gorge. Only a few short sections of the cave ceiling still exist. And they form a spectacular series of four natural bridges.

The bridges are located high on the mountainside at a height around 1,800 m asl. To reach them a long ascent and the via ferrata La lanţuri must be climbed. The best way to visit them is actually to climb the Var Om mountain (2165 m asl) and choose this route for either ascent or descent. A touristic visit is not possible, the road ends at the village Zărnești below at about 800 m asl. But if tourism boosts like in the last decade, they will probably build a cable car.