#Red Lake
Visit Red Lake
The Red Lake presumably started up as a natural valley-blockade on the summer of 1837. It's name has changed during the times. It's original name vas Red lake, from the Red Creek, which flows into it. The current name Gyilkos lake (murderous) was introduced by Orbán Balázs. The local belief correlates the names Red and Gyilkos with the legend saying, that the falling hilltop would have buried the herd of sheep and it's shepherd under itself, and the blood filtering through the earth has changed the colour of the water into red for a long time. Another surmise is, that the landslide would have "murdered" the pine forests in the valley, and "today the stumps of trees spearing out of the water as the gravestones of some ancient székely community warn the wayfarer of the transience of life" (L. Gyarfas Gyozo)
There are numerous picturesque hiking trails around Gheorgheni and Lake Gyilkos.
The following link provides information on the digitized hiking trails in the area (difficulty, distance, elevation gain, downloadable GPS data, and short videos).
Hiking trails of the Giurgeu Depression and the Onion Mountains (gis-it.ro)
We ask all hikers to thoroughly research their chosen route, to set out in small groups rather than alone, and to have the proper clothing, footwear, and equipment. Have a pleasant time!
Source: www.visitgheorgheni.ro
#Békás-gorge
Hiking around the Békás-gorge
The Békás-gorge is located in the upper valley of the Békás creek, in the direct continuation of the Gyilkos lake. It is the most well known, most popular and most beautiful defile of the Easter Carpathians. The average height of the neighbouring mountains is 1300 m and these are broken by the 2-300 m drop of the stonewalls of the Békás glen. The total length of the glen is 5 km. One of the most famous, and very rare plants of this area is edelweiss.
#Pestera carstică Licos
Hiking around Pestera carstică Licos
The Likas depression belongs to the rare vertical pit-caves, in the northern side of the Likas mountains, situated at an altitude of 1650 meters. It's total length is 51m and it has three separate parts. At the end of the 34 m vertical tunnel there is a three-meter thick ice plug. The western side of this plug is melted during the summers, and trough a tight gap it is possible to breach the lower cave, which is 17 m deep, and is bottomed by a "fake bottom" made up of debris. The temperature of the depression is constant +3 centigrade, and it is the most spectacular view at the beginning of the summer, when the walls are covered with a thin layer of ice and from the passages there are icicles and ice hangings. Because of the danger it is only possible to visit the caves using climbing equipment.
Excursions from the city:
#Lăzarea
Discover the Lázár Castle
One of the notable buildings in the village is the castle of the Lázár family, where Gábor Bethlen grew up in his childhood (his mother was Lázár Fruzsina). Lázár István, a relative and close confidant of Gábor Bethlen, had a Renaissance castle built on the site of an old courtyard. The castle was severely damaged several times, even burned down once, and was rebuilt in the 18th century, but this too was destroyed. The castle was restored, and a museum was set up in one of the restored towers.
One of the most beautiful creations of 17th-century Transylvanian architecture, the Lázár Castle in Gheorgheni was one of the most attractive noble residences in Szeklerland. In its vaulted hallway, a Gothic inscription from 1532 can be read: Cristus Maria 1532.
The large castle fortress occupies a large area and was built in a square shape on the slope of the hill, with a quadrangular bastion on each corner and a vaulted hemisphere entrance called the gate tower located in the middle of the southern wall. On either side of the entrance, the walls in Renaissance style are decorated with ornate carved and inlaid decorations, connecting them to the corner bastions. The mural paintings that decorate the walls and the two bastions, all painted in the same color, are now only partially visible.
Source: www.visitgheorgheni.ro#Red-lake - Bekas-gorge - Pestera carstică Licos
Hiking around Red-lake - Bekas-gorge - Pestera carstică Licos
One of the most famous and most advertised landscapes of the Eastern Carpathians is the lake Gyilkos, with its tree stumps sticking out of the water, with the background of the Kis Coharads imitating a lion. The sight is described by Orbán Balázs in his work titled "A Székelyföld leírása": "We are standing in the front of one of the most surprising most fascinating pictures. Even those, who have seen the fabled lakes of Upper-Italy and Switzerland , will stand here with ave. One might find a more spectacular view, but none are more beautiful and attractive hidden in the heart of the mountains".
There are numerous picturesque hiking trails around Gheorgheni and Lake Gyilkos.
The following link provides information on the digitized hiking trails in the area (difficulty, distance, elevation gain, downloadable GPS data, and short videos).
Hiking trails of the Giurgeu Depression and the Onion Mountains (gis-it.ro)
We ask all hikers to thoroughly research their chosen route, to set out in small groups rather than alone, and to have the proper clothing, footwear, and equipment. Have a pleasant time!
Source: www.visitgheorgheni.ro
#Heveder
Explore the Peștera Șugău
The Sugo-cave is a natural and touristy rarity, protected area 13 kilometres from Gyergyószentmiklós.The first description of the cave is from 1930, and up till now there are three known entrances, and three levels, from which two are dry and one is wet. At the meeting point of the main tunnels and cracks are significant halls of the cave: (Buzoganyterem, Letrasterem, Gyokerterem, Szoszek, Rokak terme, Omlas terme). In every tunnel of the cave there are unequalled specimens of stalagmites and stalactites.
The diverse stalactite formations can be admired by taking a 300m circular tour. The stalactite formations appear in the Explorer's Hall and with their variety make our tour an experience-rich one. In addition to the different standing and hanging stalactites, we will also encounter pagodas, jellyfish, and mace-shaped stalactites.
The cave tour takes place on a partially built concrete path, there is no electric lighting. The tour lasts about 40-50 minutes and we provide lamps and batteries. Participants need to bring appropriate footwear as the cave is muddy and damp. We recommend hiking boots or sports shoes.
The temperature inside the cave is 7-9 ºC, therefore appropriate clothing is necessary.
We pay special attention to the safety of the participants, the cave can only be visited with a qualified tour guide!
Source: www.visitgheorgheni.ro#Băile Tușnad
Discover Băile Tușnad and it's surroundings
Băile Tușnad is known by its springs of mineral water, the carbon dioxide exhalations (mofettas) the clear air and the beautiful landscape. The holiday resort is located between the Csomád and Somlyókô; the glen is situated at a 606 meters above sea level. The gem of Tusnádfürdô is the twin craters situated on the top of Csomád, in which one can find the Szent Anna lake and the Mohos muskeg.
#Szent Anna-lake
Hike around Lake St Anna
The Szent Anna-lake the only one of its kind, a crater lake, situated in the single undamaged volcanic crater in the Central Eastern European region. It is a rarity of nature, protected by law. It is located at an altitude of 950 m, it's water is clearer then the distillated water. It's circumference is 1737m its area is 95280 m2, it's 8.3 m deep on it's deepest point, and it's shape is almost a perfect circle.
#Mohos-muskeg
Visit the Muhos-muskeg
Mohos-muskeg is located in the twin crater of the Szent Anna lake, it´s diameter is 800 m, 10 meters deep, and has an area of 80 hectares. It's located on a height of 1050 meters above sea level. A thick layer of sphagnum covers the Mohos muskeg, which hosts' plants which were regular in the ice age, as well as herbs. The number of free water surfaces and tarns is decreasing. Interesting carnivorous plant of the area is drosera.
#Sovata
The wonderful Bear Lake
Sovata is the most famous spa of Maros County and the whole Transylvanian area. The most visited part of the spa is the plage build besides the Bear lake. The lake's water is extremely rich in salt; it's temperature varying from layer to layer. In certain depths it can be as high as 50-70 centigrade. Swimming in the water is hard, because the high concentration of salt keeps the body afloat. The other popular spot is the Black lake, which got its name after it's black mud, rich in organic materials and chlore. There are several springs in the spa, their water is used for water therapy. Szovata is mainly wisited by people suffering from rheumathism and women´s diseases.
#Praid
Hiking around Praid
Praid gives place to one of the most famous salt mines in Transylvania, and also the most densely covered by springs in the whole area. It´s mines were exploited since the romans, it´s salty baths are popular in all seasons. One of the sights of the locality is the salt cliff above the village
#Corund
Visit Corund
The name Korond equals hand made ceramics, of creation of tinder objects, weaving basketwork, woodcarving. Tipical vista is the permanent fair along the main road. Products made of ceramics, woodcarvings, straw and reed-mace object welcomes the visitors. The underground springs rich in salt and the calcareous deposits resulted in a layer of aragonite, used as building material.
#Lupeni
Visit Lupeni
Lupeni is the home village of Tamási Áron, whose relatives still live in the village. The house in which the writer was born is a 150 years old shingle roofed building functions as a museum, and it´s marked with a memorial tablet. The writer was buried in his home village as he wished, the grave is located on the edge of the village on the hills of the church.
#Şumuleu Ciuc
Visit Şumuleu Ciuc
In the year 1440 monks have arrived to Csiksomlyó. Their temple and smaller abbey was built in gothic style between the years 1442-1448. The székely people were revered the Holy Virgin even in the XV century and on her festivities they gathered around Somlyó. The statue of the Virgin was made by an unknown artist at the beginning of the XVI century out of linden. It is the highest of these type of statues on the world, its total height is 2.27 m. It represents the Woman Dressed in Sun, with the moon under her feet and the girdle of 12 stars around her head. It remained unharmed during the great fire in 1661. The legend says that one of the leaders of the tartars wanted to kidnap it thinking that it´s very prescious, but it was so heavy, that they couldn´t move it even with eight oxen. In his anger the commander bruised the face and the neck of the statue with his sword. These scars are still visible today. The saint´s day at Pentecost and pilgrimage to Csiksomlyó became a feast for the whole Hungarian nation, which represents our common past, common present and hopefully our togetherness in the future.
Image sources:
https://unsplash.com/photos/Yh6K2eTr_FY
https://unsplash.com/photos/Nqb0j5KiCd8
https://unsplash.com/photos/49PFXjSZg8c
https://visitgheorgheni.ro/hu/lazar-kastely#&gid=1&pid=1
https://visitgheorgheni.ro/hu/turazas-gyergyoszentmiklos-es-gyilkos-kornyeken#&gid=1&pid=5
https://visitgheorgheni.ro/hu/sugo-barlang-latogatasa-turavezetovel
https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tusn%C3%A1df%C3%BCrd%C5%91#/media/F%C3%A1jl:Tusnadfurdo_Csukas_to_felulnezet.jpg
https://unsplash.com/photos/EtfSApOVNiM
https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohos-t%C5%91zegl%C3%A1p#/media/F%C3%A1jl:Tinovul_Moho%C8%99_lacul_1.jpg
https://cazari-praid.ro/lacul-ursu
https://unsplash.com/photos/0iRqoHHxjQk
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erd%C3%A9ly,_korondi_fazekasv%C3%A1s%C3%A1r,_9.jpg
https://tourinfo.ro/tamasi-aron-emlekhaz-farkaslaka/
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cs%C3%ADksomly%C3%B3i_templom.jpg
