The Bear Lake from the small city of Sovata is the largest heliothermic lake in Romania. This lake is popular in Transylvania especially in the summer season because of its salty water with healing powers which helps to cure diseases like rheumatism.

One day, after returning back to Sovata from our trip onboard the narrow gauge steam train Mocaniţa Sovata, we decided to check out our last objective, the Bear Lake. After a short drive from the narrow gauge train station, called Gara Mică in Romania, we arrived next to the lake.

This lake was formed in 1875 after a salt mine collapsed and water from the nearby streams filled the former mine with water. In the summer the water can reach a temperature of 35 degrees because the sun heats the layer of freshwater which ultimately warms up the saltwater layer found under the layer of freshwater.

The lake has a depth of 18 meters and it has a salinity of 100 g/l.

The main reason why the tourists are allowed to swim in the Bear Lake only at certain intervals is to preserve the heliothermic effect.

Other objectives in the area:

• In the forest behind the Bear Lake, you will find other smaller lakes. If you got tired of swimming or sunbathing you can take a longer walk and explore those lakes as well. Next to the Red Lake, you will have the chance to check out the Salt Mountain, which is basically a smaller hill of salt.

• Another objective in the area is the Praid salt mine.

• You can take a ride on the Sovata Steam Train or Mocaniţa Sovata in Romanian. It runs between Sovata and Câmpu Cetății. Usually, the entire ride will take almost 2 hours.

Autumn is a magical season for travel, especially for those who love exploring mountains and capturing stunning landscape photography. As the leaves turn to shades of gold, amber, and red, the world transforms into a vibrant, colorful canvas, making it an ideal time for adventure and creativity.

If you want to experience autumn’s beauty in all its vibrant glory, Romania’s Parang Mountains in my opinion is a good destination. Just 15 km from the city of Petrosani, this scenic spot offers some of the best views of the season’s golden and fiery hues. To get there, you’ll need to drive up to Hotel Rusu, located on a smaller mountain at an altitude of 1,100 meters.

Hotel Rusu, the largest hotel at the base of the Parang Mountains, is an ideal place to stay. However, if you’re planning a longer trip, there are plenty of guesthouses and hotels nearby offering comfortable accommodations. 

From this vantage point, you’ll not only capture the stunning autumn colors but also take in breathtaking views of the Jiu Valley, including the towns of Petrila and Petrosani. On clear days, the Retezat Mountains can also be seen in the distance, adding to the magical scenery.

Also from here, a part of the Taii Gorge is also visible, which is not so far from Petrila.

For even more breathtaking views, you can drive up to Parâng Resort, sitting at an altitude of 1,600 meters. The road has been recently asphalted, making the journey smoother and more enjoyable. Once there, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the beauty of autumn, perfect for photography, hiking, or simply relaxing in nature.

This small medieval citadel can be found in the Romanian village of Mălăiești which is located at the foothills of the Retezat Mountains. It’s actually not very far from the city of Hațeg.

Speaking of Hațeg, close to this city, you will find the Bison Reservation which is another important place that you can visit in the Hațeg region.

About the Mălăiești medieval citadel

This small medieval fortification was built in the 14th century and back then according to the story, the nobility lived in that small tower which was entirely surrounded by fortification walls.

Usually these types of fortification were built because the nobles from the medieval period wanted a very protected living place. This was a perfect place for them to store their valuable items or maybe a large chest packed with gold.

You can visit the exterior of the small citadel for free, you will only have to pay for a ticket if you want to visit the small museum inside the tower.