“Babusgató” petting zoo and animal park

The Frumoasa Dam is located on the Frumoasa brook, a tributary of the Olt river. The dam is made of ballast fillings, and a clay core. It has a height of 38 m and a length of 506 m. The lake has a total volume of 10.6 million cubic meters, of which 7.6 million up to the standard retention level serve for the drinking water supply of Miercurea Ciuc, providing 50% of the city’s needs. The area near the dam is known for fishing. There are various species of fish: perch, Prussian carp, European chub, common carp, brown trout, common bream, zander, and wels catfish. Guesthouses and holiday homes were built nearby, the area becoming a rather well developed travel spot. The tourists who choose to visit the Frumoasa Dam will find a wonderful, quiet place for relaxation. There are also hiking routes from the lake.

A bobsleigh track, set up in Lunca de Sus commune, has become, in a very short time, an attraction for the tourists visiting the Ghimeş area or for the adrenaline lovers who come here to experience this sensation. Besides the adrenaline, tourists can enjoy a beautiful landscape, which many compare with those seen in Austria or Switzerland. 

On the outer side of the curve, the Tolvajos brook eroded the rock wall. After a while, the volcanic rock with a less resistant structure no longer supported its own weight and fell into the brook. In this place, the stream flowed under the fallen rock, which resembles a small cottage, a "hut". According to tradition, the place was named "The Hut Stone". It is accessible from the national road 13A to the Chirui Baths.

The expedition starts from the village of Sub Cetate, Deság street, near the bridge over Târnava Mare, from the Deságtravel guesthouse. The river in this area is quite sluggish, perfect for practice the theoretical training. After the start, the valley narrows gradually and the river becomes a real mountain river. Here we do not miss sightseeing or adventures and the participants are not subject to any dangers. The hard parts of the journey alternate with the easier ones, the program culminating in a mini cascade. After a thrilling trip we will reach the village of Zetea (Tófalu) where our rafting expedition ends. The rafting expedition is led by experienced instructors  The degree of difficulty: WW1 (easy) - WW2 (medium) is also recommended for beginners.  Location: Târnava Mare river, from Sub Cetate (Deság) - Zetea (Tófalu)  Program duration (Together with theoretical instruction): 2-2.5 hours  Maximum capacity: 11 people + 4 children (8-12 years)  Route length: 6-7 km.

In the Vărşag forest, along the Fântâna Mare brook, is the Vărşag waterfall. Fueled by 7 springs, the stream's waters drop from a height of 7 meters, forming a beautiful two-step cascade. From here, it goes to Târnava Mare. As we arrive up, we can go to the source of the brook, but also to a belvedere. To reach the springs, we have to follow the brook, and after about 0.5 km we reach the 7 springs that are heading to the valley. For the belvedere, we will continue to Talas hill. The belvedere built of wood is close. From here, we can admire the vast surface of Vărșag. The water curtain stretches over a length of 200 meters. During winter, the access to the waterfall, which freezes in two colors because of its minerals, is difficult. However, the curious hikers who want to see the fantastic shapes of the frozen water will venture to follow the difficult trail.

The "creek that flows backwards" or "The Stagnant Creek Izvoare", which the locals have named so because it has no "flow", is actually an artificial channel. It was built in the middle of the last century to bring water to the animals that grazed on the plateau, and for local consumption. Since then, a ditch was dug near the water, called Irigyvesze. The drinking water of this creek is flowing on the plateau, and due to the very small difference, those who descend to the Izvoare valley have the feeling that the water of the canal flows upwards! Photo source and text: https://pensiuniharghitene.ro/

The most important destination for tourists visiting the Mureş Valley is the source of the Mureş/Maros river, named by some as the place where legends are born. The spot where the clear spring water sees the daylight is a wonderful place, at an altitude of 1350 m, on the southern slope of the Black Mountain (Fekete Rez in Hungarian). The Mureş River itself is born from the waters of Pârâul Mic Creek, Pârâul Varului Creek and Pârâul Mare creek. Photo source: www.triff.ro

If you are interested in the life of the wild animals in their natural environment, if you want to take a picture of film them, we recommend the Ivó (Izvoare) wildlife park. The Wildlife Park in Ivó (Izvoare) stretches over an area of 320 hectares, crossed by rivers and surrounded by mountains. Deer, stags and mouflons live in their natural environment in this picturesque region. The few paths and fences were our minimal and necessary intervention in the wild beauty of the nature. The Wildlife Park in Ivó / Izvoare, Harghita county, is located in the heart of the Eastern Carpathians. Its purpose is to restore the natural environment of these animals. Prices: • Two-hour guided tour in the park - 20 RON • Two-hour guided tour in the park for children - 10 RON • Guided tour, then product tasting at the Honor Villa - 45 RON • Guided tour for children, followed by product tasting at the Honor Villa - 20 RON • A day of photography. Special photos for commercial use. - 400 RON

Zetea is the only artificial lake in the upper ​Târnava Mare area. The work on the dam began in 1976, and finished only in 1992. The goal of the dam was to protect against floods and to control the level of the river. The dam protects from floods the localities in the Târnava Mare valley, and in case of drought ensures the normal flow of water. At first, the fauna was made of migratory fish from the brooks. The most significant quantity is the common chub, followed by trout. The lake was populated with other smaller species, such as belica, spirlin, common bleak, Romanian barbel, but the fish fauna was also enriched with Prussian carp, common carp, zander, pike, nase, common bream, burbot, and even perch. You can fish both from the shore and from the boat, which are mainly used by fishermen who use spinners or fly fishing. Cover photo: Mihálydeák Antal