Bistrița-Năsăud county is the land of legends and high mountain passes. You climb the Borgo Pass where Bram Stoker set the castle of Count Dracula. The road winds through dark pine forests and high meadows at 1,200 meters. You feel a sense of mystery in the cool mountain air. It is a dramatic route that connects the Transylvania hills to the Bucovina woods.
Find the blue water of Colibița lake hidden in a deep mountain bowl. The lake is surrounded by the Călimani peaks that reflect perfectly on the surface. You can drive around the water to find secret pebbled beaches and fishing spots. It is a quiet spot that many call the sea of the mountains due to its high iodine air. The vibe is peaceful and very green.
The Rodna mountains provide a rugged backdrop for your trip. You can hike to the Horses' Waterfall, where water drops 90 meters over white stone. Small villages like Năsăud still keep old traditions alive, where locals wear opinci leather shoes. Stop to buy handmade wool rugs or fresh pine honey from roadside stands. It is a place where nature is still the boss.
Bistrița Năsăud (county) highlights
- Borgo Pass Drive through the legendary mountain gateway where the dark woods and sharp peaks inspired the famous tales of Dracula. The road is dramatic and connects the high hills of the west to the deep forests of the east. You can feel the mystery of the mountains as the mist rolls over the tall pine trees at dusk.
- Colibița Lake Visit the Sea of the Mountains where the high peaks reflect on a massive and crystal clear blue surface. The air here contains high levels of iodine and is famous for its incredible health benefits and purity for guests. It is a prime destination for a slow drive to find a quiet and private lakeside beach.
- Rodna Mountains Park Discover a wild alpine world where lakes formed by old glaciers sit among the highest and most rocky peaks. This is a haven for nature lovers who want to spot wild goats and eagles in the high cliffs. The drive to the base of the range passes through beautiful green meadows and small family farms.
- Horses Waterfall Watch the water tumble in high white steps over a massive rock wall in the heart of the deep woods. A chairlift can take you most of the way up before you enjoy a quiet walk through the tall trees. The sound of the falling water is powerful and fills the entire forest with a fresh and cool spray.
- Năsăud Village Traditions Immerse yourself in a culture where people still wear bright folk clothes decorated with peacock feathers and beads. Small local museums show the incredible pride and craft that has been passed down through the generations. This is a fantastic stop to see the living history of the northern mountain people.
- Sângeorz Băi Springs Relax in a quiet spa town where mineral waters have been curing travelers for a very long time. The slow pace of life here helps you unwind and enjoy the green scenery of the surrounding hills. It is a peaceful and honest spot for a rest and a drink of fresh water from the spring.
- Bistriței Gorges Follow a winding road that hugs the river as it cuts a narrow path through the solid mountain rock. The high cliffs provide a cool shade that makes this a perfect drive on a hot summer afternoon. You can pull over by the water to feel the cold mountain breeze on your face.
- Călimani Volcanic Peaks Explore the rugged remains of an old volcano where the stone formations look strange and very powerful. The views from the top are vast and show a landscape that feels very different from other green mountains. It is a wild and rocky world that offers a sense of true adventure for every driver.
- Arcalia Forest Park Walk through a grand garden and arboretum that features rare trees from all over the world in a silent setting. The leafy canopy offers a cool and scholarly atmosphere that is perfect for a slow and quiet afternoon walk. An old manor house in the center adds a touch of classic grace to the park grounds.
- Tihuța Monastery Find a moment of peace at this high altitude monastery that watches over the famous and busy mountain pass. The view of the winding road from the church gate is celebrated for its incredible scale and beauty. It is the perfect spot to pause your journey and look out over the entire northern world.
The local Four
History of Bistrița Năsăud (county)
Bistrița-Năsăud is a land of Saxon order and dark literary legends tucked into the northern mountains. The regional capital was founded in the 13th century as one of the seven historic citadels of Transylvania and served as a vital defense point for the northern passes. The Saxon craftsmen built a massive gothic church with a spire so tall it served as a lookout for invading Mongol armies. This spirit of the borderland is captured in the city's unique row of merchant arches which are the only ones of their kind remaining in the country.
The county gained global fame through the pages of Bram Stoker’s Dracula as the site of the fictional count's castle. The Bârgău Valley and the Tihuța Pass offer a dramatic landscape of dark fir forests and jagged peaks that perfectly match the atmospheric descriptions of the novel. Historically the region was a "border regiment" zone where the local peasants were granted land and freedom in exchange for guarding the empire against eastern invasions. This created a proud and independent culture that is still visible in the traditional costumes and the sharp dialect of the mountain people.
A road trip here follows the winding paths of the Rodna Mountains which offer the highest peaks in the Eastern Carpathians. You can visit the Colibița Lake which is known as the "Sea between Mountains" and offers air so pure it was once the site of a famous sanatorium. The local wooden churches in the Șieu Valley are masterpieces of rustic architecture featuring tall steeples and hand-painted interiors. Bistrița-Năsăud is a rugged and mystical journey where the precision of German architecture meets the wild legends of the high mountain passes.