Places
The sweet chestnut park of Crăciunel/Homoródkarácsonyfalva is a peculiarity of Szeklerland, as it is the only place where the 100 years old chestnut trees can be found.
The park covers an area of 2 hectares, providing relaxation for visitors.
During the first week of October each year, the locals host the Sweet Chestnut Festival here.
Crăciunel 537226, Romania
At the Southern edge of Lueta there is the Salt House, which stands out as a monument that supplies not only the Lueta village but also the surrounding ones. In the region there are such houses in Mereşti, Mărtiniș, Corund and Praid, but the villagers believe that here is the best quality salt.
The history of the house spans over a hundred years. It was built in 1866 above the fountain (the inscription above the entrance is witness). In 1996, the building received a new roof. The settlement once had a salt mine, but it only worked for a short time.
The village was built on a large salt field that is linked to the salt field of Praid. Somewhere below the village, the salt deposit meets a water source resulting the Salt Fountain, the salty solution here being highly concentrated. The locals take great care of the well, from where they get the salt they need.
Lueta 537140, Romania
Open
The Bears Cave is a karst formation represented by an ensemble of deep and narrow corridors, sometimes extended with niches, hollows and small caves, formed by the natural erosion of limestone under the action of waters.
The cave was named after the discovery of some remains belonging to cave bears (Ursus spelaeus). Next to it, there is another similar cave, called Cerdacul Iadului (Hell's Hallway).
The site is located in the southern part of the Wine Valley, the largest travertine deposit in the Borsec Depression. The site is part of the karstic ensemble of Scaunul Rotund (natural reserve of geological and botanical type). This reserve is north of Borsec City and east of Borsec resort, and covers forty hectares.
You can reach the cave from the resort, next to the springs 10 (Kossuth), 11 (Petőfi), Poiana Zânelor. You need to descend a bit on a path marked with the red triangle. There are several signposts in Poiana Zânelor.
Borsec/Borszék 535300, Romania
Discover the magical Pony Empire and Mini Dino Park, located in Lupeni/Farkaslaka, just 12 kilometers from Odorheiu Secuiesc/Székelyudvarhely! This fairy-tale destination offers unforgettable experiences for both children and adults.
Pony Kingdom:
• Children can ride and pet the ponies.
• A pony carriage exhibition awaits visitors.
• Other small animals: rabbits, chickens, lambs, peacocks, pigeons, and pheasants.
Mini Dino Park:
• Located in a pleasant forest environment.
• Ideal family program for both children and adults.
The park is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Visit us and enjoy the closeness of nature and the unique experiences!
96RC+P9, Lupeni, Romania
The village won the ”Europa Nostra” award.
In the Southwestern part of Harghita county, 25 km away from Odorheiu Secuiesc and 18 km away from Cristuru Secuiesc, lies Inlăceni, a village unchanged for hundreds of years, beautiful as in the stories of childhood.
The age of the houses is measured in centuries, most of them rural architecture monuments raised in a time when the planks were joined together with wooden slats. They look very similar with each other.
Built of stone and wood, they are painted white or azure, covered with tiny tiles made in the village, and the flower garden in front of the house is indelible. The entry in the house is made through a mezzanine, by climbing a wooden ladder or a few steps made of stone. The ground floor and the basement are reserved for the kitchen, the storage rooms and the cellar.
But the peculiarity of Inlăceni’s unique status in Romania is the multitude of streets and alleys that cross the village and whose number exceeds that of houses. Slightly concentric, they spread to the four entrances in the village, crossing the property of the people. They are twisted like the mythical edifice built by Dedal, hence the name "labyrinth village", which was assigned to the locality.
Cover photo: Mihálydeák Antal
Text and video sources: https://www.descopera.ro; https://www.youtube.com/
Magyar Művészeti Academy of MMA
Inlăceni, Romania
The Insect Park is located next to the Mini Transylvania Park, where both giant insects, 2 meters high, and smaller insects made by our team are exhibited. The park is the only one of its kind in Romania and the second in Europe, a similar one can be visited in Poland.
The park displays 18 giant robotic insects, so tourists can see and hear how they behave in nature. These insects originate from our country, ranging from the common tick to grasshoppers, ants, butterflies, ladybugs and even scorpions.
Information:
The park is located at Băile Seiche, near Odorheiu Secuiesc.
Tickets:
• Adult ticket: 25 RON
• Children's ticket (free for children under 3): 15 RON
• Ticket for senior citizens: 15 RON
• Group ticket (minimum 10 people):
• Adults: 22 RON
• Children / pensioners: 13 RON
CAUTION!
!!! People with disabilities are admitted free of charge if they have a document proving this!!!
We look forward to seeing you at the Băile Seiche/Szejkefürdő near Odorheiu Secuiesc/Székelyudvarhely!
Băile Seiche/Szejkefürdő (Odorheiu Secuiesc/Székelyudvarhely) 535600, Romania
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
Izvorul Geografic al Mureşului, Romania
This is the only mountain swamp in the Northern Harghita Mountains. It is located on the exterior slope of a volcanic crater, between the Ostoroș peak (1386 m), Fagul Roșu peak (1336 m), and the Observatorul peak (1372 m), at 1180 meters altitude.
The swamp covers 20 ha land, and it is densely populated by ice age relict plant species. It is accessible on a tourist trail that starts from the church in Cârța. Among the protected plant species we mention the Liguaria sibirica, the bay willow (Salix pentandra), and the hare’s tail cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum). In 2000 a group of scientists discovered here a new spider species, the Meioneta similis, which is an ice age relict spider, observed in Iceland, Finland and Northern Russia so far.
Text and photo source: http://www.greenharghita.ro
Danesti, Romania
The Iezer/Jézer Lake, also known as the pearl of the alps, is located in the Călimani/Kelemen Mountains at an altitude of 1730 m.
Some call it a bottomless lake. According to a legend, a lead duck was once thrown into the lake and found years later at the Black Sea.
The depth of the water is between 3 and 5 meters. The lake has a triangular shape. Two brooks fed the lake, which flows into the Puturosul (Stinky) stream.
The Lake Iezer Reserve in Călimani is a protected area of national interest that covers a surface of 322 hectares, belonging to Toplița administrative center. The reserve lies at the foot of the Răchitiş massif and has a glacial lake (1200 sqm, 45 m long and 35 m wide). The surrounding area is home to a diverse range of shrubs and a wide variety of mammals.
Photo: Amazing Nature/Páll Róbert
Visit Harghita, Romania
Rák Lake is located 2 km North of Porumbenii Mari at an altitude of 600 m. It formed due to a landslide at the end of the glacial period. The relief consists of Neogene sedimentary rocks, Sarmatian clay marble and sandstone.
The circumference of the lake is 800 m, its length 250 m, width 150 m, the maximum depth is 7 m and the surface is 28.000 sq m, 10 ha with the adjacent land.
The area is a natural reserve protected by the Law 5/2000.
The lake and its surroundings are home to many rare species of plant, including the common bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris), a carnivorous plant, which feeds on small aquatic insects, crabs and mosquito larvae.
Porumbeni, Romania
The Red lake is one of the largest lake made by a natural dam on the territory of Romania and is part of Bicaz Gorge – Hășmaș National Park. It is located at the foot of the Hăşmaşul Mare Mountain, near the Bicaz Gorges, 26 km from the town of Gheorgheni, being accessible from the DN12C national road.
The lake formed in 1837, when part of the Mount Ghilcoş slid down towards the foot of the Suhard massif after storms and torrential rains, blocking the Bicaz river valley.
The name of the lake, both in Romanian and in Hungarian, comes either from Mount Ghilcoş (the Killer) or from the Red stream (Verescheu). Thus, in 1864, it is mentioned as the Lake of the Red Stone, later as the Killer Lake, as well as Tăul Roşu. Since 1936, it is officially named the Red Lake (Lacu Roşu).
The red color is due to the clays rich in iron oxides, brought by the Red Creek and deposited in the lake. At the same time, the red rocks of the Suhard massif accentuate the color of the lake.
The view is spectacular due to the submerged forest, the trunks of the spruce trees still piercing the water here and there, giving the lake a unique appearance in the Romanian water landscape.
The lake is L-shaped and has two arms: the Oii Valley, 900 m long, and Suhard Valley, which measures 438 m.
Formed at an altitude of 983 m in a depression with a predominantly subalpine climate, the lake has an area of 12.6 ha, a length of 2.5 km and a width of 100-200 m, a volume of 680.000 cubic meters and a maximum depth of 10.5 meters.
The surface of the lake decreases every year because of the alluvial deposits of the rivers flowing into it.
Downstream of the Red Lake is the beginning of the Bicazului Gorges, 6 km of spectacular gorges in the Eastern Carpathians, along the valley of the Bicaz River, linking Transylvania and Moldova, and forming together a travel destination unique in Romania
Here, a resort with the same name is built. It benefits from the subalpine climate and offers attractive trails to the amateur hikers.
Cover photo: Mihálydeák Antal
Photo: Zomborácz Zsolt, Szőke Éva
Lacul Roșu, Romania
The lake St. Ana, located in the crater of Ciomatul Mare, is the only volcanic lake in Central and Eastern Europe, being the most visited travel destination of the Szeklerland.
The steep walls of Ciomatul Mare’s volcanic cone surround it, with a few higher peaks: Ciomatul Mare (1301 m), Ciomatul Mic (1238 m), Tata hill (1174 m) or Pietros peak (1125 m). Unique in Europe, the lake is at 946 m altitude, with a diameter of 1737 m and a maximum depth of 7 m. From the edge of the crater, 13 temporary brooks, which form during heavy rains, bring water and gravel into the lake.
The lake is fed by rainwater and snow melt. The process of sedimentation began on the northern and western edges, an increasingly thick layer of sludge covering the bottom of the lake. When the weather is fine, especially without wind, you can see bubbles of gas rising from the bottom of the lake, which are actually manifestations of post-volcanic activity. In the north and northeast of the lake, one can see a layer of floating peat about one meter thick.
Cover photo: Fodor István
Lacul Sfânta Ana, Romania
Ciucul de Jos watershed is characterized by a multitude of mineral water springs, rich in sodium, magnesium, calcium and hydrocarbons, which offer excellent drinking water and contribute to the formation of peat bogs, which are shelters for many rare plant and animal species.
The springs are also special due the fact that the mineral salts (limonite) in the water precipitate, forming cones or spreading around like a muddy cover, called by the locals "borsár" - hence the name of the Borşaroş marsh, which now consists of two isolated areas: Vízkert (Water Garden) and Omlásalja (Cave-in).
The dwarf birch (Betula humilis) is a treasure of the Borşaroş marsh, which once had the largest population of this species. It is a glacier relict, which reminds us of tundra habitats with its appearance of a small tree. Currently there are 20-30 trees in the reserve.
Sâncrăieni 537265, Romania
The swamp is located Westward from Miercurea Ciuc, South of DN13A and North East of Băile Chirui, close to Festő spring. Access is easy, on a paved road.
The swamp covers over 2 hectares and has been included on the list of botanical reserves since 1980. The swamp is 120 meters long and 50 meters wide, and is fed by iron-rich mineral water springs. The power of healing of this water was discovered a long time ago, which is why a small bath was dug at the edge of the marsh.
The cool and humid microclimate has allowed the survival of special plant communities that exist in similar North European marshes. These species are called relicts, because they have remained from the ice age.
The marsh hosts plants such as Saxifraga hirculus, Paludella squarossa specific to sub-arctic areas (this plant grows in three places in the country) and Drosera rotundifolia.
Text and photo sources: http: //romanianturism.com/; http://www.greenharghita.ro/
Harghita County, Romania
The windmill in Călugăreni/Homoródremete is a monument of local importance. The building from the 19th century is unique in Harghita county. Another curiosity is that at that time a water mill was built next to it.
The monument changed its owner in 2001, and the new owner transformed the building in a romantic style. The two-levels building has a round shape and is covered with shingles. The first floor has stone walls, which are divided by simple windows with square closure. At the top of the walls there is only a semicircular window.
The windmill, considered a local curiosity, does not work since the 19th Century - it is just a special attraction of the region.
Călugăreni 537178, Romania
Orbán Balázs was born in Polonita village near Odorheiu Secuiesc, in an old Szekler family. He studied in Odorheiu Secuiesc, but in the spring of 1846 he left his native lands to return only in 1859. During the years of absolutism and the relatively short relaxation period after that, he traveled to the Szeklerland. He arrived in every locality, visited all the ruins and natural attractions, taking notes and immortalizing them with a camera. Between 1868 and 1873, Orbán Balázs published the six volumes of his trademark "Historical, Archeological, Geographical and Ethnographic Description of the Szekler Land".
He died without descendants, leaving all his inheritance to the Szekler people. Respecting his last wish, Orbán Balázs was buried at Seiche. In front of his grave is a row of Szekler gates, the first of which is the gate of his house.
Odorheiu Secuiesc 535600, Romania
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The Salt Mountain from Praid is one of the most interesting attractions of Transylvania. This geological reserve, which covers 66 ha of land, lies on the south-western part of Praid bath resort, at 576 meters above sea level.
The shape of mountains that we see today is the result of the eroding activity of the Corund brooks combined with human activity as well. Here, along the Corund brooks valley we find the salt gorge, with formations similar to those of limestone. We can find salt dolines, salt caves, salt-cliffs, water run-offs, all these forming the protected area.
Because of the Corund brook crossing over the salt mountain, the white salt cliff laces and the steep walls were created resulting in a unique landscape, very interesting to visit. Here we can still find the remainings of the former Elisabeth exploiting tunnel lines, along which several very interesting salt formations, salt caves and muddy flows occurred.
The Salt Mountain is said to have 3 km in depth and has an elliptic shape, its diameters being 1.2-1.4 km long, and its vertical extension gives a mushroom shape to the mountain.
Text and photo source: http://www.greenharghita.ro
Salt Hill Nature Reserve, DC49, Ocna de Jos, Romania
Geologically, the Harghita-Mădăraș mountains are part of the Neogene volcanic chain Călimani-Gurghiu-Harghita mountains, with a relief consisting mostly of andesite rocks (lava and pyroclastic flows), with an altitude between 1,500 and 1,800 m. The highest peak is Mădăraş Peak (1,801 m). It is also called the Holy Mountain of the Szeklers.
From the peak we have an extraordinary view of the volcanic chain: when the weather is good, we can see almost all the Transylvanian depression, the Harghita Plateau, Blatul Libanului, Gurghiu mountains, Gheorgheni mountains, Făgăraș mountains.
The Harghita-Mădăraș area has been designated a Natura 2000 site in order to protect their biodiversity and maintain a favorable conservation status of their wild flora and fauna, as well as the habitats of community interest.
It is also a popular ski area. The slopes (4.5 km) are at approx. 1,500 m and 1,760 m. The ski season begins in December and could last until mid-April.
Vârful Harghita Mădăraş (1801m), Romania
Built on the corner of Petőfi Sándor Street and Tudor Vladimirescu Street, the closed, one-storey corner house was originally intended as a residential building, with a separate lawyer's office on the ground floor. Later it became the House of the Communist Youth Organization, then a confectionery and disco bar. At present the Consulate General of Hungary is located in the building.
The style of the building is unique in Miercurea Ciuc/Csíkszereda.
Strada Petőfi Sándor 45, Miercurea Ciuc 530210, Romania
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/
Izvoare 537362, Romania
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
Izvoare, Romania, 537363
We are very pleased to have been able to create a place in Harghita County that provides meaningful leisure for all ages.
Children and adults can get close to the animals living in the park, and they can touch and pet them. In many cases, contact with animals can be a therapeutic nature, as it has a beneficial effect on our physical and mental health.
Nowadays, fewer and fewer pets are kept by families, so one of our goals is to introduce backyard animals and some exotic species, especially to children.
The petting zoo is constantly being expanded. We also provide horseback riding and carriage rides with our beautiful pony horses.
We welcome all those interested in the “Babusgató” petting zoo and animal park in Subcetate Zetea/Zeteváralja.
Tickets:
• Adult ticket: 35 RON
• Child ticket (3-14): 30 RON
Sub Cetate/Zeteváralja 537364, Romania
Pro Odorhei Foundation built the Memorial Park.
The statues represent 12 famous historical and cultural personalities: Kós Károly, Bethlen István, Wesselényi Miklós, Bethlen Gábor, Fráter György, King Szent László, Prince Csaba, Hunyadi János, Báthori István II. Rákóczi Ferenc, General Bem, Nyírő József, and the thirteenth is the anonymous Wandering Szekler.
The sculptors are: Blaskó János, Hell Tibor, Krisztiáni Sándor, Lessenyei Márta and Tóth Emőke.
Text and photo source: https://tourinfo.ro/
Székely Támadt vár, Strada Tompa László 14, Odorheiu Secuiesc 535600, Romania
Discover Transylvania in one day!
Mini Transylvania Park is the only multicultural, thematic mock-up park in Romania, where visitors can see a scaled-down copy of Transylvania's most important historical buildings. The park is located in Szejkefürdő/Băile Szejke, near Székelyudvarhely/Odorheiu Secuiesc.
In the area of about 8000 square meters we recommend to our visitors:
• our open-air exhibition, which presents scale models of more than 80 of the most significant castles, fortified churches, mansions and other monumental buildings in Transylvania;
• most of them are part of the national heritage and UNESCO World Heritage;
• a mini-Szekler train tour;
• buffalo carriage rides;
• the Mineral Water Museum;
• exhibition of the Szekler gates;
• the Orbán Balázs Visitor Center;
• playground.
Tickets:
• Ticket for adults: 40 lei
• Ticket for children (free for children under 3 years): 25 lei
• Ticket for retirees: 25 lei
• Adult group ticket (minimum 10 people): 35 lei
• Group ticket children / pensioners (minimum 10 people): 20 lei
* Ticket price for the Mini Transylvania Park includes admission to the Orbán Balázs Visitor Center.
Tickets for the Mini Secler Steam:
• Adult ticket: 10 lei
• Children's ticket: 5 lei
The idea of the Transylvanian mini-park came from Szekler Legendarium's team. The scale models exposed in our park present the most important buildings of the region's nationalities, in their golden age.
The scale models were made by Németh Hajnal Auróra and Vajda Domokos born in Cristuru Secuiesc, with the contribution of historical graphic artist Gyöngyössy János.
Baile Szejke, Odorheiu Secuiesc/Székelyudvarhely 535600, Romania
The Bicaz Gorge - Hășmaș National Park (PNCB-H) is of great scientific interest in geology, geomorphology, paleontology, landscape and biology due to its variety of geoclimatic conditions. Bicaz Gorge is famous in Romania due to its impressive size. Red Lake, formed by a landslide in 1837, which blocked the flow of the Bicaz creek, offers a very picturesque scenery.
The park is located in the Hăşimaş mountains (Hăghimaş), in the central group of the Eastern Carpathians, a mountain range also known as Moldo-Transylvanian Carpathians. The park is in the central-northeastern part of Romania, in the Neamț and Harghita counties.
The protected area of
Traseu Hășmașul Mare, Sândominic, Romania
The Ice Cave in Borsec is part of the Scaunul Rotund Hill karst area, the most important travertine deposit in the country (white-gray limestone tuff, which could be polished and used in construction, ornamentation of facades).
Over time, water made several karst formations, including the Peștera de Gheață.
The karst area stretches over an area of 70 hectares. The travertine from here was used to decorate many institutions in Romania, including the Palace of the Parliament and some Bucharest metro stations.
The cave got its name due to the water infiltrations that freeze and take the form of stalactites and stalagmites. They thicken in winter, and melt in late spring or summer. In front of the cave, you could feel the cold air from inside.
You can reach the cave by following a short hiking route through the forest, starting from the edge of the resort and following the red cross on a white background marking. After you pass Mofeta (The Ancient Spring), you will reach the Ice Cave.
Photo Source: https://www.tripadvisor.com/
Borsec 535300, Romania
Located in the middle of Vârghiș gorges in the Perșani mountains, Mereşti cave is a speleological jewel, considered by the speleologists as one of the longest caves in the Eastern Carpathians. The length is about 1400 meters.
The cave is on the right wall of the Vârghiș gorges, near a bridge, in the so-called Rock of Wonders.
To enter the cave you have to climb some metal ladders. Mereşti cave has two main rooms - the Great Hall and Fekete István Hall. Fekete was the speleologist who, in 1835, mapped the cave in such detail that his maps could be used without problems today.
Fossils of the prehistoric man were discovered in the cave.
The cave has a treasure: in the last room, almost a kilometer from the entrance, the water that dug in the rock brought fragments of stones with it, which are now embedded in the walls, resembling precious gems.
The cave shelters many living creatures and plants, which the speleologists researched over time. Now the main inhabitants of the cave are the bats.
Text source, photo: http://www.turism-transilvania.ro/location/pestera-meresti
Merești, Romania
Under the southwestern foothills of the 1600 metres high Mount Siposkő, in the Giurgeu Mountains, one can easily find the well-known Șugău/Súgó cave, a speleological wonder, a gem dug in limestone.
The Șugău cave is the longest cave in the East-Carpathians' core mountain group.
The cave has four levels, three overlapped entrances and a length of more than one kilometer. The name, which in Hungarian means "whisper", comes from the sounds made by the underground spring as it flows through the stones.
The cave has stalactites, stalagmites, columns and strange shapes carved by water and wind in the soft limestone. The cave has many chambers, named in various ways, according to their shape, size or location.
The first attempts of the speleologists to explore and map it date back to 1965, when they also began the work to open the cave to the public for guided visits. Before this time, the entrance to the cavern was extremely cumbersome, this being one of the main reasons it took the speleologists so long to explore it.
Due to the climatic and biological conditions inside, the carbon dioxide concentration in the air is far above normal, so the public access area only follows 150 meters of the cave, for maximum 50 minutes. Moreover, the entry is possible only with guides, who will make sure the visitors wear a protective helmet with flashlight.
The main attraction of the cave, famous for its legend, is the Lake of Lovers, in one of the chambers. It is said that those who come here and drink from the lake’s water will remain in love forever.
Photo: András Zsolt
Suseni, Romania
Three main streets, along with several other side streets, which surround the historic core of Odorheiu Secuiesc, form the center of the city.
The Reformed Church, built the middle of it, once split the city in the Lower Square and The Upper Square (today Városháza Square and Márton Áron Square).
There are historical buildings and monuments in the center of the city, their architectural style being defined by Baroque, Classicism and the 19th century architecture.
Public buildings, churches, shops, all evoke a historic atmosphere, despite the fact that the center has gained its appearance today only in the twentieth century.
Text and photo source: http://www.odorhei-turism.ro/
Odorheiu Secuiesc 535600, Romania
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.
Unnamed Road, Miercurea Ciuc, Romania
Besides the most famous mountain areas of the Szeklerland such as the Harghita mountains, Bicaz gorges, the Red Lake or St. Ana Lake, this region hides many travel spots worthy of admiration. These include the Hășmaș Massif, known among hikers especially due to their number one attraction, the Lonely Rock. Many travelers follow the hiking paths of the
Hășmașul Mare, Hășmașul Negru, those of the Öcsém peak or those at the base of the fascinating talus deposit called the Devil’s Mill.
The chalet built at the feet of the Lonely Rock is an important meeting point of several hiking trails, and it offers a fascinating view over the Ciuc depression, Ciucaş mountain, Bucegi and Piatra Craiului Massifs.
The marked hiking routes are easy to follow and can be safely traveled by any hiker who is accustomed to the mountains. The same is not true about the escalation of the chimney leading to the top of the Lonely Rock.
Even though the trail was improved with steel cables in 2008, the escalation requires skill, physical strength and plenty of care from amateur climbers. Those who get to the top at 1608 m altitude will be rewarded with a truly overwhelming panorama.
Photo: Dezső László
Sândominic, Romania
The natural reserve is located West from the Băile Tușnad town, on 1.5 ha. It is located on the Southern part of the Harghita mountains, on the Eastern slope of the Pilisca Mare volcanic cone. One of the most visited attractions is the Piatra Șoimilor andesitic pillar, which offers a remarkable view on the whole region.
It was declared a reserve due to the presence of a single yellow flower, the Hieracium telekianum, this is the only place on Earth, where this little flower still exists. Then the St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), the Cytisus hirsutus or the Telekia speciosa in the early summer months along the creeck of the reserve have to be mentioned.
Besides a series of plants and trees, the bird population of the reserve should be discussed also, this being very valuable as well. Here we can see the Ural owl (Strix uralensis), the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo), the Eurasian nuthatch (Sitta europaea), the great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), the black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), the Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), and the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus).
This region is home to more than 35 brown bears, so visiting the reserve after sunset is not recommended.
Text and photo source: http://www.greenharghita.ro/
Tusnad, 535100, Romania
This 20 ha of protected area is located near DN13B, just Noth-West of Borzont. The thickness of the peat decreases towards the foot of the mountain.
Some of its main protected rare plant species are the Achillea impatiens (a species from the tundra regions), Spirea salicifolia and the Pedicularis sceptrumcarolinum, the Ligularia sibirica and the large pink (Dianthus superbus) and the dwarf birch (Betula humilis). Among the praying birds we can mention the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and the hen harrier (Circus cyaneus).
Text and photo source: http://www.greenharghita.ro
Borzont 537131, Romania