Salt Hill Nature Reserve

Poiana Narciselor is located in the Southern area of Vlăhiţa/Szentegyháza, near Pokol-láz, a protected area of approximately 20 hectares, one of the largest daffodil meadows in Romania, where 180-200 daffodils (Narcissus stellaris) could grow on a square meter. "Laz" in the local dialect means field and is the geological form typical of the volcanic plateau in the Harghita mountains. The daffodil is a protected plant, the most spectacular of this area, which is easy to recognize due to its star-shaped flower. It blooms from the end of April until the beginning of May. Apart from daffodils, we can also find other rare plant species such as Lady's-slipper orchid (Cypripedium calceolus), Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica) and globeflower (Trollius europaeus). Every year since 1976, the Daffodil Festival has been held next to the meadow.

Geologically, the Harghita-Mădăraș mountains are part of the Neogene volcanic chain Călimani-Gurghiu-Harghita mountains, with a relief consisting mostly of andesite rocks (lava and pyroclastic flows), with an altitude between 1,500 and 1,800 m. The highest peak is Mădăraş Peak (1,801 m). It is also called the Holy Mountain of the Szeklers. From the peak we have an extraordinary view of the volcanic chain: when the weather is good, we can see almost all the Transylvanian depression, the Harghita Plateau, Blatul Libanului, Gurghiu mountains, Gheorgheni mountains, Făgăraș mountains. The Harghita-Mădăraș area has been designated a Natura 2000 site in order to protect their biodiversity and maintain a favorable conservation status of their wild flora and fauna, as well as the habitats of community interest.  It is also a popular ski area. The slopes (4.5 km) are at approx. 1,500 m and 1,760 m. The ski season begins in December and could last until mid-April.

Near the Round Seat/"Scaunul Rotund" Nature Reserve there are many tourist attractions, such as: the Ice Cave, the Bear Cave, the amphitheatres of the travertine structures with special panoramic view points, the Fortress of Owls with casemates from World War II. A walk through the forest provides a true pharmacy of nature: medicinal herbs, forests fruits, mushrooms, fresh air.

Tinovul Mohoş is located in the eastern corner of the Ciomatu Mare Massif, at the southern foot of Mohoş Peak (1177 m) at an altitude of 1050 m. It has a diameter of 800 m, an area of 80 ha and a depth of 10 m. Tinovul Mohoş is actually an alpine peat bog. From the ancient lake, only 13 puddles of water remained. The view of the pine trees growing on the peat layer, as well as the thick bilberry bushes, offer a great sight. Among the rare species of the reserve are the carnivorous plants of the quaternary era such as the round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), Drosera obovata, the english sundew (Drosera anglica) and the bog cranberry (Vacccinium oxicoccos). There are also species from the last ice age: the bog-rosemary (Andromeda polifolia), the black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) and the hare's-tail cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum). Photo source: http://www.greenharghita.ro

The lake St. Ana, located in the crater of Ciomatul Mare, is the only volcanic lake in Central and Eastern Europe, being the most visited travel destination of the Szeklerland.  The steep walls of Ciomatul Mare’s volcanic cone surround it, with a few higher peaks: Ciomatul Mare (1301 m), Ciomatul Mic (1238 m), Tata hill (1174 m) or Pietros peak (1125 m). Unique in Europe, the lake is at 946 m altitude, with a diameter of 1737 m and a maximum depth of 7 m. From the edge of the crater, 13 temporary brooks, which form during heavy rains, bring water and gravel into the lake.  The lake is fed by rainwater and snow melt. The process of sedimentation began on the northern and western edges, an increasingly thick layer of sludge covering the bottom of the lake. When the weather is fine, especially without wind, you can see bubbles of gas rising from the bottom of the lake, which are actually manifestations of post-volcanic activity. In the north and northeast of the lake, one can see a layer of floating peat about one meter thick. Cover photo: Fodor István