Harghita county is the cold heart of the east and a world of deep stone and volcanic history. You drive through the Bicaz Gorge, where the massive rock walls rise hundreds of feet above the narrow road. The space is so tight that it feels like the mountains are trying to touch overhead, and the air remains cool throughout the year. It is one of the most famous drives in the country for its raw power and the rushing stream that flows right next to the asphalt. Every turn in the gorge reveals a new cliff face or a hidden waterfall falling from the heights.
Visit the Red Lake, which was formed when an entire mountain collapsed into a valley during an earthquake. You can still see the dark trunks of dead trees sticking out of the water like ghosts from the past. The lake is surrounded by thick pine woods and has a mysterious, still atmosphere that is perfect for a quiet boat ride. It is a great spot to rest and enjoy the mountain scenery while listening to the legends of the lost treasure hidden in the water. The local vibe is very calm, and the surrounding trails offer easy walks through the forest.
The local Szekler culture is visible in the colorful houses and the beautifully carved wooden gates that stand at the entrance of every yard. You find mountain spas where the water is naturally carbonated and full of minerals that are famous for their healing properties. The food is rich and warm, featuring local specialties like goulash and chimney cake baked over an open flame. This route is a journey into a wild and proud land where the traditions are as strong as the stone of the mountains. You will find a warm welcome in the small guesthouses that dot the high valleys.
Harghita (county) highlights
- Bicaz Gorge Experience one of the most breathtaking drives in Europe as you navigate a narrow road squeezed between 300-meter high limestone walls. The cliffs are so close that they almost block out the sun, and every turn reveals a more dramatic and vertical landscape. It is a landmark of raw natural power where the road and the river fight for space in the tight canyon.
- Red Lake (Lacul Roșu) Stop at a high-mountain lake where the dark trunks of a sunken forest still rise from the water like petrified fingers. Formed by a massive landslide, the lake has a unique and mysterious beauty, especially when the morning mist clings to the surrounding pine peaks. You can rent a boat to row among the trees and experience the quiet, eerie atmosphere of the water.
- The Saint Anne Lake Visit the only volcanic crater lake in the region, a perfectly circular body of water surrounded by steep, emerald-green slopes. The silence of the crater is profound, and the water is remarkably clear, reflecting the high fir trees and the bright mountain sky. It is a majestic destination that offers a sense of absolute peace and isolation from the modern world.
- Tinovul Mohoș Peat Bog Walk along a wooden boardwalk over a dark, mossy swamp located in a twin volcanic crater next to Saint Anne. This rare ecosystem is home to prehistoric plants and carnivorous sundews that thrive in the acidic, watery soil. The landscape looks like a scene from a northern tundra, providing a stark and fascinating contrast to the surrounding green forests.
- Salt Mine of Praid Journey deep underground into massive salt chambers that are so large they contain a playground, a museum, and even a small church. The air is cool and saturated with salt, which is famous for its incredible health benefits and refreshing purity. It is a subterranean world of sparkling white walls that offers a unique and healthy break from the summer heat.
- Corund Pottery Village Drive through a world-famous craft village where every house seems to be filled with bright ceramics and traditional wooden carvings. You can watch local masters work their wheels and buy authentic blue and green pottery directly from the people who made it. The village is a colorful and lively hub of living culture that highlights the creative spirit of the Szekler people.
- Ghimeș Pass Traverse a high-altitude borderland where the mountains turn rugged and the views stretch across the vast eastern plains. The pass features an old railway line and the ruins of an ancient frontier guard post that once marked the edge of an empire. It is a wild and windy landscape that captures the epic scale of the eastern Carpathian range.
- Madaraș Peak Reach the Holy Mountain of the region by following a steep forest road to a high plateau that offers a 360-degree view of the entire county. The summit is often decorated with traditional wooden totems and offers some of the freshest alpine air in the country. It is a popular spot for hikers and those who want to feel the immense power of the high mountain peaks.
- Toplița Thermal Waterfall Witness a rare natural wonder where warm mineral water tumbles over a mossy cliff, creating a steaming cascade even in the winter. The minerals in the water have colored the rocks in shades of gold and green, making the falls look like a living piece of art. It is a unique and soothing site that shows the geothermal energy hidden beneath the Harghita soil.
- Odorheiu Secuiesc Mini-Transylvania Park E xplore a charming park that features small-scale models of all the most famous castles and fortified churches in the region. It is a fun and educational way to see the architectural diversity of the land in a single afternoon walk. The park is beautifully landscaped and offers a lighthearted break for travelers of all ages.
The local Four
History of Harghita (county)
Harghita is a land of volcanic fires and deep evergreen silence in the heart of the eastern peaks. It is home to Saint Anne Lake which is the only volcanic crater lake in the region formed in the caldera of a volcano that became extinct thousands of years ago. The landscape is a testament to the raw energy of the earth featuring post volcanic mofettas and hundreds of sparkling mineral springs that have been used for healing since the medieval era. This geological wealth turned the county into a sanctuary for health and rest tucked away in the high cold valleys of the Carpathians.
The history of the county is inextricably linked to the Szekler people who served for centuries as the guardians of the Transylvanian borders. Their heritage is visible in the massive wooden gates and the fortified churches that stand in the center of every village. The region is also home to the Bicaz Gorges which is a dramatic limestone passage where stone walls rise three hundred meters high almost touching above the narrow road. Nearby the Red Lake holds a ghostly forest of petrified trees that were swallowed by the water after a massive landslide in eighteen hundred and thirty seven.
Road trippers should navigate the winding mountain passes to reach the high altitude resorts of Borsec or Harghita Băi. You can visit the Praid Salt Mine which is a massive underground world where the air is pure and the chambers are vast enough to hold a library and a gallery. The local culture is famous for its colorful pottery and the traditional chimney cakes baked over open fires. Harghita is a mystical journey through the volcanic past and the enduring traditions of the mountain frontier.