At Lacu Roșu, the lake and gorge are part of a diverse natural landscape: the lake lies within Cheile Bicazului–Hășmaș National Park, and Cheile Bicazului begins downstream. When planning your visit, it’s worth deciding what you’d like to focus on first: visiting viewpoints, planning a longer day of hiking, or exploring the area by electric bike. Trails and tours vary in duration, route and the views they offer — useful points to consider when looking for suitable accommodation in Lacu Roșu, too.
National Park, Lake and Gorge
Cheile Bicazului–Hășmaș National Park was established in 1990 to protect biodiversity, the landscape and valuable species, and to promote ecotourism. It is part of two Natura 2000 sites: ROSCI0027 Cheile Bicazului–Hășmaș is designated as a Site of Community Importance and covers 7,642 hectares. ROSPA0018 Cheile Bicazului–Hășmaș is a bird protection area covering 7,961 hectares. This designation makes clear that a visit is about more than the lake itself: it also means experiencing the protected nature surrounding it.
The Bicaz Gorge stretches for six kilometres along the Bicaz River and connects Transylvania with Moldavia. Together with the lake, it forms a tourist destination where water, gorge and mountain scenery offer a variety of impressions. Those exploring the area on foot can choose between views over the lake, a route through the valley or the gorge’s rock faces, rather than centring their visit on a single viewpoint.
Choose Your Hike by Time and Views
The hike from Lacu Roșu through Valea Oii to below Poiana Albă leads to the Hășmaș mountain ridge trail and follows the Oii stream valley. The route is listed as having about 600 metres of elevation gain and taking around four to five hours; it can be hiked year-round. Another option is the Lacu Roșu–Cheile Bicazului–Cheile Bicăjelului–Lacu Roșu loop: it is 10.9 kilometres long, rated as a moderately difficult hike and takes five to five hours and 15 minutes. Along the way, there are views of rock faces and the small waterfalls of Bicăjelului.
The estimated times are similar, but the routes differ in character: the first climbs through the Oii Valley to the ridge trail, while the second is a loop through the Bicaz and Bicăjel gorges. So when choosing, consider not only the time involved, but also the type of route you want and the scenery you’d like to see along the way. If you’re looking for a shorter viewpoint visit rather than a hike lasting several hours, the Lacu Roșu–Păstrăvărie–Lacu Roșu loop offers another option: from the car park at Hotel Lacu Roșu, it passes the Lacu Roșu Restaurant and a stretch of forest before climbing about 350 metres to the Balconul de Piatră viewpoint.
Panoramas, Bike Tours and a Local Legend
The Piatra Ghilcoş viewpoint offers wide-ranging views of the lake and surrounding area. Visible mountains include Licaş at 1,675 metres and Suhardul Mare at 1,507 metres; Suhardul Mic, Făgetul Ciucului, Piatra Poienii, Ghilcoş, Surduc and peaks of the Ceahlău are also part of the panorama. The Suhardul Mic plateau offers another view of the resort and the side valley of Valea Oii, surrounded by wooded ridges and distinctive peaks. These two viewpoints offer different perspectives, so you needn’t expect the same view from each.
Electric-bike tours are another way to explore the area around Lacu Roșu and Cheile Bicazului. BIKKLA uses specially marked and digitised routes, with a map and explanations of the route to accompany the tours. Another way to get to know the place is through its folklore: according to legend, the lake formed after Eszter’s curse came true. The lake swallowed the robber who wanted to oppress her, and the submerged fir trunks preserve her memory to this day.
Discover more destinations: Cotormani, Baile Tusnad, Miercurea-Ciuc, Sâncrăieni, Sub Cetate, Sândominic, Siculeni, Păuleni-Ciuc.
For the broader travel overview: Harghita.
