Most spectacular mountain  lakes in Romania

Romania due to its continental mild climate experiences in summer long drought periods and consequently in wide parts of the country the lakes are appearing very rarely. It is no desert actually, but maybe similar in a way.

Some parts of the country, as Danube Delta or Black Sea coast enjoy the blessed presence of some wonderful lakes, like Razim-Sinoe, but I am going to report about them on a further occasion. I would like to concentrate right now to the Romanian mountains (The Romanian Carpathians) with there wonderful lakes , previously mentioned in Retezat Park e.g. I adore all these mountain lakes, and the fishermen also do. Most of these  lakes are glaciar ones; a few are natural dam lakes (e.g. Lacu Rosu/red lake) or anthropic dam lakes (Bicaz, Lotru, Portile de Fier, Valea Uzului).

The picturesque lake Sf. Ana/ Szent Ana To is really picturesque, and totally unique in Romania, due to its  volcanic origin

Only one lake in the wide area of Romanian mountains has a volcanic origin, and thus is really unique. Its name is Sf Ana, and not only its exotic origin make it really special, but also its breathtaking look and position. It lies in the Ciuc mountains, inside the Romanian Szekelyi County (or Szekelyfold), very close to natural dam lake, namely Bolatau, and an artificial dam lake, namely Poiana Uzului. These three spectacular lakes make from these county and mountains one of the most picturesque in the all Romania.

The dam lake Poiana Uzului matches perfectly with the landscape,  which is  rarely to a human made lake

The lake Sf Ana with a huge area around constitutes a huge protected natural reserve on more than 80 hectars (160 acres). It lies on the bottom of a former volcanic crater and has an almost perfectly circular form. Not very deep, only 7 meters, offers excellent conditions for swimming, despite its cold temperature in the middle of summer. The beautiful local szekelyi girls use to go swimming in this lake, totally naked. All around beech and fir forests. There is no any known sources on the surface, but most probably strong depth sources on the bottom. There is no river feeding or being feed from the lake, the water or snow falls are the only known sources. Very close to the  lake there is a motel, you can eat very well Hungarian like specialties, like goulasch. Fishing in the lake is permitted, but you can find only a small sort of trout, which has been populated 100 years ago. You can reach the beautiful lake by car, or walking a few hours whether from Bixad or from Tusnad.

The nearby Lake Poiana Uzului is totally different, but not less spectacular. It is human made, but picturesque and perfectly set in the natural landscape. The dam is huge, 80 meters high. You can reach the lake by car to the dam, when is a welcoming motel, or to the other end, where you can enjoy a much more genuine nature.

In my opinion these totally different contrasting lakes, lieing one next to the other, offer a perfect balance, and that is why I consider to be so spectacular!

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Iconic landscapes in the Romanian Carpathians

Leaving Piatra Neamt towards Transilvania offers the good possibility to drive on the Highway 12 C, to Gheorheni, and further to Sighisoara or Brasov. Thus you go through an important Romanian National Park, called The Hasmas Nature Reserve, based on the neighboring mountains, also called the Hasmas Mountains.

It is not an easy way, if you reckon riding the bikes along, but also not impossible. Neither by car is not much easier, on certain parts of the way the street is very narrow, causing very often traffic jams. But the beauty of the landscape in The Bicaz Gorges / Cheile Bicazului makes you surely to forget any unpleasant things, as they are simply fantastic!

The impressive Bicaz Gorges,or  Bicaz canyon

I think the Americans would name it Bicaz Canyon. Call it anything you want, it is amazing and iconic. A small river, namely Bicaz, dug in the soft lime rocks one of the most impressive gorges in Romania. You are going to love these gorges from the first sight for sure. There are good possibilities to climb the mountains all around, watching the highway from the top of the rocks is simply breathtaking, but only recommended and permitted to skilled tourists. The beginners have other many possibilities.

Even in the mountains you  can find bargains and good shopping possibilities

A good idea to discover and conquer the Hasmas mountains is lodging in Lacu Rosu/Red Lake,  a resort on your way, with many hotels and cabins. A main attraction of the Red Lake is even the lake, born through a land slide in the XIXth century. The water is very cold, and deep, also full of trees trunks!  Also, not the best conditions for swimming, but you can take a boat. On the terraces you can enjoy afterwards a glass of beer or wine, and you can make shopping, there are many craftsmen in the area exhibiting their works.There is a wonderful legend about forming of Red Lake/Lacul Rosu. according this legend, a young beautiful girl has been kidnapped and raped by a local outlaw. She, very ashamed, has been crying for 1 day long, and implored the mounting, who finally accepted to let the rocks fall onto the bandit. That's why the falled mountain is called The Killer! Its colour is really reddish, due to the iron oxydes and the red rocks mirroring in the lake!If you are a mathematics or statistics freaks, note some numbers: altitude 983 meters, surface 13 hectars/26 acres, maximum depth 12,5 meters; extent 3 km, length 3 km, and a total volume of 680000 cubic meters. From the lake starts its journey the river Bicaz, but other  small rivers are tributary to the lake. The have been dammed, in order to prevent the lake from collecting mood, which could destroy it. You can fish in the lake, as any other visitor is entitled to do it. You can catch trouts, up to 1,5 kg, and you must notice the two distinct species: the lake trout has black point, while the river trout coming from the tributary rivers has red points.

The little but persistent Bicaz River starts its journey in the Red Lake/Lacul Rosu,  born through  a landslide. Nevertheless, there is a wonderful legend about it!

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