The cave is located on the right slope of the Cerna Valley, under the Ciorici Peak of Culme Mehadiei, at an altitude of 295 m. It is part of a system of caves influenced by thermo-mineral waters. Access starts from the square with the statue of Hercules, following the blue triangle marker, passing the Steam Cave and descending a steep slope to Adam's Cave.
Visitors can follow the route up to the Thieves' Cave, going down a steep slope with trees and grottoes, finally reaching Uzinei street and returning to the city on the banks of the Cerna river.
The cave was known to the locals because of the steam emitted in the cold season. The first mention dates back to 1967, and was later researched by speleologists from the "Emil Racoviță" Caving Institute in 1970. It was studied from both a physical and biospeological point of view.
The cave starts with an aven of 11 m and has a total length of 212 m, developing on a system of fractures and layer faces. It includes various halls and galleries, such as the Leopard Skin Hall, the Steam Gallery, and the Terminal Hall, where hot steam can impede progress. Numerous bats live in the cave, and the floor is covered with a thick layer of guano.
The cave features unique concretions such as yellowish gelatinous crust and gelatinous stalactites. The specific fauna includes species adapted to warm and humid conditions, similar to those found in tropical caves, with troglobiont and tropical relict species.
The cave is not equipped and is recommended for experienced cavers. Equipment required includes hard hat, overalls, boots, waterproof flashlight, 10m caving ladder and belay rope. The visit lasts 1.5-2 hours, and tourists must be careful of guano and scorpions.
Source: Caves from Romania, T. Orghidan, Șt. Negrea, Gh. Racoviță, C. Lascu, ed. Sport - Tourism, 1984
