1000S OF BEAUTIFUL LAKES: ROMANIA
ROMANIA
Romania is a land of lakes -- thousands of lakes -- many of them are exceptionally beautiful and some are quite unusual. While this country might not yet be on your travel bucket list, it deserves a spot! It’s especially lovely to explore the lakes and landscapes here in spring, summer and fall.
Cheile Nerei-Beusnita National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Romania -- especially because of its spectacular uniquely turquoise colored lakes and waterfalls.
Located in the southern part of Aninei Mountains, this protected area covers 36,758 hectares
Dazzling landscapes, filled with deep gorges, rolling hills and valleys, dramatic caves, and generous waterfalls only add to the rare lake collection.
The most famous of its lakes are Ochiul Beiului and the Devil’s Lakes, but there are plenty more, created by natural and artificially dammed rivers, glacier melts and underground karst Springs.
The more than 80 glacial lakes of Retezat National Park, are sparkling and deep. The wilderness here is pristine, with loads of bear, wolves, lynx and other wildlife.
There are many hiking trails to choose from which lead you to the lakes and waterfalls. Some pass through rock tunnels, while others cross suspended bridges, and others edge the ravine cliffs.
You can map out your own trip or arrange private tours with Uncover Romania.
We’ve compiled a list of our favorite lakes in Romania. Check them out below.
Ochiul Beiului Lake, aka The Bey's Eye, spans only 284 square meters but its riveting crystal clear blue color makes a powerful impression.
It is said that hundreds of years ago the son of a bey (a regional ruler) fell in love with a shepard’s daughter. The bey wasn’t pleased and ordered her murder. His son cried so much that his tears formed the lake, where he then committed suicide. A sad story, but a beautiful lake nevertheless.
The lake is fed by an underground karst spring, not tears. It never changes its color and never freezes. It’s only three meters deep and super clear, so it’s easy to see the many trout that swim here.
Be sure to check out the amazing Beusnitei, Susara, and Vaioaga waterfalls nearby.
Bucura Lake is the largest glacial lake in Romania. It spans 8.8 hectares and sits within the Retezat National Park, perched high up, at an altitude of 2,041 meters. Bucura offers some of the best views in the Carpathian Mountains.
This is a particularly beautiful area to camp, with access to the country’s highest peaks: Retezat, Peleaga (2,509 meters), Papusa (2,508 meters), Retezat (2,482 meters), Bucura I (2,433 meters), Bucura II (2,372 meters) as well as to the country’s deepest glacial lake, Zanoaga (27 meters). Check out smaller glacial lakes nearby, including Lia, Ana, Viorica and Florica.
Izvorul Muntelui, aka Bicaz Lake, aka the “Sea from the Mountains,” is the biggest artificial lake in Romania. The lake is hemmed in by a giant artificial dam that is 435 meters in length and 127 meters in height.
Enjoy the gorgeous panoramic views of the lake within Bicaz Gorges Natural Park, from the top of the nearby Ceahlau Mountain.
Cuejdel Lake was formed by a series of successive landslides, triggered by earthquakes, that began in 1978, blocking the flow of the Cuejdel River. It is the biggest natural dam lake in Romania and all of Europe, spanning almost 150 hectares.
Shaped like a cross, the lake is also known as Lake of the Cross.
Located in Stanisoarei Mountains, just 25 km from Piatra Neamt, the lake is surrounded by pine forests, where brown bear and deer flourish.
The lake can be reached via a short hike from Cuejdel village.
Lacul Dracului, aka Devil’s Lake, is a unique brilliant turquoise lake, formed through the collapse of a cave ceiling. Located like Ochiul Beiului, in Cheile Nerei-Beusnita National Park, the lake is a bit off the beaten track. You can access it by hiking from Poiana Logor or Podu Bei.
Devil’s Lake also got its name from a local legend about a devil that jumped into the lake and drowned after losing a bet with a shepherd.
Check out this beautiful video of Devil’s Lake.
Lacul Roșu, aka Red Lake or "Killer Lake," is the largest barrier lake in the Eastern Carpathian mountain range. The lake’s color comes from the reddish alluvium deposits transported via the Red Creek.
The lake was formed in 1837, after a landslide blocked the Bicaz Valley. It created a body of water that is 93 m deep and covers about 12.01 hectares.
The scenery is marvelous as you paddle through the many tree trunks that rise from the water.
The lake is surrounded by three mountains, which each have several easy hiking trails.
Read more about Fresh Water all this week on BeautifulNow. And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Wellness, Impact, Nature/Science, Food, Arts/Design, and Travel, Daily Fix posts.
Do you have amazing photos? Enter them in this week’s BN Photo Competition.
- Photo: by Bogdan Santa. “Balea glacier lake.” Arges, Romania.
- Photo: by CameliaTWU. “Shallow alpine lake.” Fagaras Mountains, Romania.
- Photo: by driver Photographer. “Cascada Bigar.” Parcul National Cheile Nerei-Beusnita, Romania.
- Photo: by CameliaTWU. “Balea Lac in HDR.” Balea Lake.Transylvania, Romania.
- Photo: by Giuseppe Milo. “Ochiul Bei - Romania.” Ochiul Beiului Lake. Caras-Severin, Romania.
- Photo: by George Damian. “Lacul Bucura.” Bucura Lake. Romania.
- Photo: by ReflectedSerendipity. “Lacul Bicaz, Neamț.” Bicaz, Romania.
- Photo: by Ghioc Tudor. “Fall Foliage on Cuejdel Lake. Neamț County, Romania.
- Photo: by ArribaSkywalker. “Lacul Dracului (Cheile Nerei).” Devil’s Lake. Cheile Nerei-Beusnita National Park. Romania.
- Photo: by Eusebiu Balauca. Rosu Lake. Eastern Carpathian Mountains, Romania.
- Photo: by Vasile Hurghis. “Places in the story.” Romania.
- Photo: by ReflectedSerendipity. “Lacul Bicaz, Neamț County.” Bicaz, Romania.
- Photo: by Alexandru Panoiu. “Willows.” Lake in Alexandru Ioan Cuza Park. Bucharest, Romania.
- Photo: by Horia Varlan. “Dark island near bright setting sun.” Bucharest, Romania.