Natural reserve

Vârghiş Gorge is located in the Perșani mountains (1292 m), which belong to the Southern Group of the Oriental Carpathians. The gorge formed in Jurassic limestone and has a length of 4 km.  It is at the border between Harghita and Covasna counties. The Vârghiş Gorge and its caves form a protected area of ​​national interest corresponding to IUCN category IV (natural reserve), it has a total area of ​​800 ha and overlaps with the Natura 2000 protected area RO SPA 0027 Homoroade Hills. Vârghiş Gorge hides a number of nearly 130 caves, of which 4 are open to the public. It is forbidden to visit them without proper equipment (helmets, headlamps, hiking shoes or rubber boots). Access roads:  - DN13A National Road Miercurea Ciuc – Vlăhiţa – go to the county road DJ132 towards Lueta - Mereşti;  - National road DN12 Sfântu Gheorghe - Bodoc, enter left on the county road DJ122 to Băţanii Mari - Biborţeni – Baraolt. From there, turn right on the county road DJ131 towards Tălişoara and reach the village of Vârghiş. 

On the Budvár hill (a 635 m conglomerate cliff) man has already settled since the Neolithic Age and lived here during the Iron Age. Traces of a hut and the ruins of a fortress from the time of the Arpádian Dynasty were also found here. Since 1992, it is considered an archaeological reserve. A protected flower grows on Budvar hill - Arum maculatum. Text and photo source: http://www.odorhei-turism.ro/

This is the only mountain swamp in the Northern Harghita Mountains. It is located on the exterior slope of a volcanic crater, between the Ostoroș peak (1386 m), Fagul Roșu peak (1336 m), and the Observatorul peak (1372 m), at 1180 meters altitude. The swamp covers 20 ha land, and it is densely populated by ice age relict plant species. It is accessible on a tourist trail that starts from the church in Cârța. Among the protected plant species we mention the Liguaria sibirica, the bay willow (Salix pentandra), and the hare’s tail cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum). In 2000 a group of scientists discovered here a new spider species, the Meioneta similis, which is an ice age relict spider, observed in Iceland, Finland and Northern Russia so far. Text and photo source: http://www.greenharghita.ro

Rák Lake is located 2 km North of Porumbenii Mari at an altitude of 600 m. It formed due to a landslide at the end of the glacial period. The relief consists of Neogene sedimentary rocks, Sarmatian clay marble and sandstone. The circumference of the lake is 800 m, its length 250 m, width 150 m, the maximum depth is 7 m and the surface is 28.000 sq m, 10 ha with the adjacent land. The area is a natural reserve protected by the Law 5/2000. The lake and its surroundings are home to many rare species of plant, including the common bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris), a carnivorous plant, which feeds on small aquatic insects, crabs and mosquito larvae.

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

Ciucul de Jos watershed is characterized by a multitude of mineral water springs, rich in sodium, magnesium, calcium and hydrocarbons, which offer excellent drinking water and contribute to the formation of peat bogs, which are shelters for many rare plant and animal species. The springs are also special due the fact that the mineral salts (limonite) in the water precipitate, forming cones or spreading around like a muddy cover, called by the locals "borsár" - hence the name of the Borşaroş marsh, which now consists of two isolated areas: Vízkert (Water Garden) and Omlásalja (Cave-in). The dwarf birch (Betula humilis) is a treasure of the Borşaroş marsh, which once had the largest population of this species. It is a glacier relict, which reminds us of tundra habitats with its appearance of a small tree. Currently there are 20-30 trees in the reserve.

The swamp is located Westward from Miercurea Ciuc, South of DN13A and North East of Băile Chirui, close to Festő spring. Access is easy, on a paved road. The swamp covers over 2 hectares and has been included on the list of botanical reserves since 1980. The swamp is 120 meters long and 50 meters wide, and is fed by iron-rich mineral water springs. The power of healing of this water was discovered a long time ago, which is why a small bath was dug at the edge of the marsh. The cool and humid microclimate has allowed the survival of special plant communities that exist in similar North European marshes. These species are called relicts, because they have remained from the ice age. The marsh hosts plants such as Saxifraga hirculus, Paludella squarossa specific to sub-arctic areas (this plant grows in three places in the country) and Drosera rotundifolia. Text and photo sources: http: //romanianturism.com/; http://www.greenharghita.ro/

DEAR VISITORS! We are closed for technical reasons until a date to be communicated later. We apologize for the inconvenience. The Salt Mountain from Praid is one of the most interesting attractions of Transylvania. This geological reserve, which covers 66 ha of land, lies on the south-western part of Praid bath resort, at 576 meters above sea level. The shape of mountains that we see today is the result of the eroding activity of the Corund brooks combined with human activity as well. Here, along the Corund brooks valley we find the salt gorge, with formations similar to those of limestone. We can find salt dolines, salt caves, salt-cliffs, water run-offs, all these forming the protected area. Because of the Corund brook crossing over the salt mountain, the white salt cliff laces and the steep walls were created resulting in a unique landscape, very interesting to visit. Here we can still find the remainings of the former Elisabeth exploiting tunnel lines, along which several very interesting salt formations, salt caves and muddy flows occurred. The Salt Mountain is said to have 3 km in depth and has an elliptic shape, its diameters being 1.2-1.4 km long, and its vertical extension gives a mushroom shape to the mountain. Text and photo source: http://www.greenharghita.ro

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.

The Bicaz Gorge - Hășmaș National Park (PNCB-H) is of great scientific interest in geology, geomorphology, paleontology, landscape and biology due to its variety of geoclimatic conditions. Bicaz Gorge is famous in Romania due to its impressive size. Red Lake, formed by a landslide in 1837, which blocked the flow of the Bicaz creek, offers a very picturesque scenery. The park is located in the Hăşimaş mountains (Hăghimaş), in the central group of the Eastern Carpathians, a mountain range also known as Moldo-Transylvanian Carpathians. The park is in the central-northeastern part of Romania, in the Neamț and Harghita counties. The protected area of

The natural reserve is located West from the Băile Tușnad town, on 1.5 ha. It is located on the Southern part of the Harghita mountains, on the Eastern slope of the Pilisca Mare volcanic cone. One of the most visited attractions is the Piatra Șoimilor andesitic pillar, which offers a remarkable view on the whole region. It was declared a reserve due to the presence of a single yellow flower, the Hieracium telekianum, this is the only place on Earth, where this little flower still exists. Then the St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), the Cytisus hirsutus or the Telekia speciosa in the early summer months along the creeck of the reserve have to be mentioned. Besides a series of plants and trees, the bird population of the reserve should be discussed also, this being very valuable as well. Here we can see the Ural owl (Strix uralensis), the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo), the Eurasian nuthatch (Sitta europaea), the great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), the black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), the Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), and the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus). This region is home to more than 35 brown bears, so visiting the reserve after sunset is not recommended. Text and photo source: http://www.greenharghita.ro/

This 20 ha of protected area is located near DN13B, just Noth-West of Borzont. The thickness of the peat decreases towards the foot of the mountain. Some of its main protected rare plant species are the Achillea impatiens (a species from the tundra regions), Spirea salicifolia and the Pedicularis sceptrumcarolinum, the Ligularia sibirica and the large pink (Dianthus superbus) and the dwarf birch (Betula humilis). Among the praying birds we can mention the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and the hen harrier (Circus cyaneus). Text and photo source: http://www.greenharghita.ro

The Natural Red Stone Reserve covers an area of ​​10 hectares in the administrative territory of Tulgheş commune. The reserve could be accessed from a forest road (Prisecani road intersecting DN 15 at km 223 + 400). This road can be traveled either on foot, on the marked route, or with off-road cars. The road passes a ferrous, carbonated mineral spring. Before planning your trip, you must also take into consideration that camping is prohibited in the area. The Red Stones massif rises above Tulgheş commune, being a prominent limestone cliff with a maximum altitude of 1,215 meters, which offer a wonderful view of the surroundings. The reserve has a southern orientation and is characterized by short, narrow, deep valleys, covered by forests and meadows. The ground conditions allowed for the development of an endemic vegetation, with rare plant species, the reserve having a phytogeographical importance: here we could find Astragalus romeri, whose range is very limited in our country, Delphinium simonkaianum, Hieracium pojoritense, Silene zawadskii or Cerastium transilvanicum. Photo Sources: http://informatiahr.ro/; http://www.greenharghita.ro

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.

The Natural Reserve "Popasul Păsărilor de la Sânpaul” covers ​​10 hectares and, as its name implies, is a protected natural area of ​​interest, being included in the special Birds Directive protection area Homorad Hills, a site belonging to the European ecological network Natura 2000. "Popasul Păsărilor” was declared a natural area in the desire to protect and conserve the migratory and nesting birds. At the same time, emphasis is also placed on preserving the local flora and fauna and on preserving the diversity of the wet habitats. "Popasul Păsărilor” Sânpaul's is a wetland area with ponds and puddles, with hydrophobic plant species (reed). It provides food and nesting conditions for migratory bird species; some of which are protected at European level or on the IUCN red list. More than 260 bird species have been observed in the ornithological reserve, and such a high concentration of species in such a small area is a rarity in Europe. More than 70 species of birds nest here (most are protected by law). Among the most important bird species we can mention: the great bittern Botaurus stellaris, the great egret Egreta alba, the purple heron Ardea purpurea, the black stork Ciconia nigra, the ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca, the western marsh harrier ( Circus aeruginosus) or the northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus). Note that bird photography can be done only from observatories, while sport fishing can be done in the designated areas. Text and photo sources: http://www.cesavezi.ro/; http://informatiahr.ro; https://pensiuniharghitene.ro Video source: https://www.youtube.com/Lucian Ionescu

The Borsec Botanical Reserve, named in Hungarian "Hármasliget", is one of the natural reserves of national interest, with the essential role of preserving a species of shrub from the Betulacea family, also traditionally known as the dwarf birch or Betula nana, which survived here from the ice age. It is located in Harghita county, on Borsec administrative area, and consists of a swampy meadow which covers a surface of 2 ha. It is the perfect location for tourists passionate about the botanical field. Photo Source: http://www.informatii-romania.ro/

The Snail’s Hill is a geological reserve that spans an area of ​​8 hectares at Corund/Korond. It is considered the largest aragonite occurrence in Romania, receiving a national protected status since 1980. The study of the aragonite in the area date from the 18th to 19th centuries. János Bányai (1938) argues that precipitation processes formed the carbonate deposits from saline, carbonated solutions with low temperature. The water spring from Snail’s Hill is in the form of a natural, active spring. The water appears at the base of the carbonate deposits or through the cracks of the rocks, bubbling smelly gas. The freshly depositing material is aragonite and calcite. Knop Vencel, the teacher of Czech origin invited to take courses at the Zlatna Industrial School of Stone Sculpture and Grinding, began de exploitation of aragonite in 1909. The teacher moved to Corund and established the Aragonite Polishing Factory. The peak of exploitation and processing of aragonite in Corund is placed between 1931-1939. As a result of these mining activities, the diverse forms of natural deposits were harmed, but nowadays a wald through the rocks gives a unique opportunity to discover the beauty of aragonites and banded calcites. You can visit the reserve on your own on a nicely maintained visitor path. If you need more professional guiding, please call the phone number to book your visit. You can buy simple visiting ticket, or you can opt for a combined ticket, which contains the entrance fee for the Salty bath UNICUM, lying on the foothill of the rocks. Entry fee: 5 RON

The Călimani mountains are in the northern part of the Eastern Carpathians, forming the largest volcanic chain in the country. The flat volcanic plateaus and the ridges that rise like pyramids above them prove the Călimans volcanic origin. In this volcanic chain we can also find the tallest volcanic ridges in the Carpathians: Pietros Peak (2103 m) and Răchitiş Peak (2021 m). The Lake Iezer Reserve in Călimani is a protected area of ​​national interest that covers a surface of ​​322 hectares, belonging to Toplița administrative center. The reserve lies at the foot of the Răchitiş massif and has a glacial lake (1200 sqm, 45 m long and 35 m wide). The surrounding area is home to a diverse range of shrubs and a wide variety of mammals. The depth of the water is between 3 and 5 meters. The lake has a triangular shape, and its tip marks the outlet. Two brooks fed the lake, which flows into the Puturosul (Stinky) stream. Among the plant species, we can mention the dwarf pine (Pinus mugo), Juniperus sibirica, Rhododendron kotschyi or Nardus stricta. Text and photo source: http: //www.greenharghita.ro/

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.

Fântâna Brazilor bog is located at an altitude of about 950 m, in the central-western part of the Praid-Dealu volcanic plateau, in Gurghiu Mountains.  The Fântâna Brazilor bog was declared a Natura 2000 site in 2007. It appears as Luc or Ruc in the literature, but locals generally call it Datka. It is the Westernmost bog with pine trees in the Eastern Carpathians. The bog is surrounded by a spruce forest (Vaccinio-Piceetum abietis). Among the important fauna species are the red forest frog (Rana dalmatina), the red mountain frog (Rana temporaria), salamandra (Salamandra salamandra), and the mountain lizard (Zootoca vivipara). You can visit the peat bog on a visitor trail constructed with the help of the local community. If you visit on your own, please don't forget to pay the entrance fee at the small shop right before arriving at the entrance. You will discover along the path the specific processes and flora of the Siberian marshlands and forests, even insectivore plants and poisonous ones.  If you need more professional guiding, please book your time at the phone number attached here.  Text and photo source: https://www.korpa.ro/

The Luci swampland covers 273 ha, and by its size is the largest mountain peat swamp in Romania, it is located 10 km west from Sâncrăieni, in the northern part of the Southern-Harghita Mountains, between the Tolvajos pass and Sântimbru Băi, in a giant crater. The diameter of the crater is 7 km, it is situated at 1080 meters altitude, and the Cormos brook flows through the marsh. The thickness of the peat is estimated to be about 4,5 meters. The area of 282.5 ha was declared protected area in 1955. It was formed by the drainage and sedimentation of a former crater lake, and deserved its protected status due to its plant associations and species which are here since the last ice age. We can mention the dwarf birch (Betula nana), sphagmun moss species, round-leafed sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), hare’s tail cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum), blueberries and cranberries. Among the reptiles we can find the common lizard (Zootoca vivipapa), the European viper (Vipera berus), the Carpathian newt (Triturus montandori), the alpine newt (Triturus alpestris), the common newt (Triturus vulgaris), the yellow bellied toad (Bombina variegata), the European common frog (Rana temporaria) or the European common toad (Bufo bufo). There are also frequently seen brown bears, stags, dear, wolf, wild boar and lynx as well. Text and photo source: http://www.greenharghita.ro

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 springs that appear under Mădăraş Peak have a slower flow, soak the soils with water and together with the climatic conditions specific to the upper sub-Alpine-mountains, create conditions for peat formation. On this area there are relict species from the glacial period (round-leaved sundew, pinguicula), the survival of which was facilitated by the cold climate of the Harghita Mountains. Where the incline of the slope grows, the springs reappear and form the Seche Creek, known for its picturesque waterfall. Seche Swamp with the Mădăraş Peak are included in the "area of Community interest Harghita Mădăraş" that is part of the Natura 2000 network. The protection area extends to 182 hectares, while the actual surface of the marsh covers about 30 hectares.

The just 1 ha area of geological reserve is located on the southwestern part of Filiaș, in the Sucoro valley. These mud volcanoes follow the spread of gas-domes. These are cold water mud volcanoes, created in the presence of natural gas domes, more or less in loose soils rich in clay. They were formed in the autumn of 1913. One of the three mud-cones is already covered by vegetation; the other two are still active. Because of the fact that the water here contains salt, we can find here the marsh arrowgrass (Triglochin palustris). Text and photo source: http://www.greenharghita.ro