• Lake Trei Ape In The Semenic Mountains

    Lake Trei Ape In The Semenic Mountains

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    From the Semenic ski resort, we continued our journey towards Lake Trei Ape which is a larger artificial lake located in the Semenic mountains. The DJ582 road, also known as the TransSemenic road follows the lake after the village of Garana to the outskirts of Brebu Nou. Along the way, you will have plenty of opportunities to stop next to the lake and admire the beautiful alpine scenery.

    About Lake Trei Ape

    This artificial lake is located in the Gărâna depression, at an altitude of 835 m. If you translate the name to English, Trei Ape means Three Waters because there are three mountain stream that flows into the lake.

    What can you do here?

    If you plan to stay here for a couple of days, then you will find a smaller resort located next to the lake which has the same name as the lake. If you visit this place in summer, you have the option to rent a boat and ride on the lake. Nearby you will find multiple trails for those who would like to make a quick hike and explore a part of Garana depression. Lake Trei Ape also provides camping areas that are designed for tourists who are planning to stay near the lake.

    Very close you will find two important villages, Garana and Brebu Nou founded by settlers of German origin which I encourage you to visit them.

    How to reach Lake Trei Ape

    To reach this lake, you have two possibilities depending from where are you coming from:

    1. You can drive on DJ582 from the city of Resita to Lake Trei Ape (the distance is: 45 km).
    2. You can drive on DJ582 from Slatina Timis to Lake Trei Ape (the distance is: 19.5 km).

    In my opinion, the best route would be the longer one from Resita because the scenery is really beautiful. Along the way, you can make a short stop at lake Gozna located in the village of Valiug.

    Photos of Lake Trei Ape

    Below I’ve shared a couple of photos of Lake Trei Ape from my last trip. As you can see, almost all the lake is surrounded by a pine forest but you will find multiple spots where you can stop near the lake to admire it.

    The lake with the forest in the background.
    The lake and the forest in the background.
    Boats near the dam.
    Boats on the shore of the dam.
    Pine trees on the other side of the lake.
    Pine trees on the opposite side of the lake.
    Trei Ape.
    Trei Ape
    Alpine scenery.
    Beautiful alpine scenery next to Lake Trei Ape.

    Other places to visit in the Semenic Mountains:

    • The Semenic ski resort – this is a popular ski resort in the Semenic Mountains. To visit this place you will have to drive towards Valiug and when you reach Cabana Prislop, you will have to make a left turn on DJ582E.
    • Valiug – this village is 14 km away from Trei Ape as you drive towards Resita. This is another popular place both in the summer and winter.
  • The Semenic Ski Resort

    The Semenic Ski Resort

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    The Semenic ski resort is located in the scenic Semenic Mountains, Romania. As a pivotal subunit of the Banat Mountains and part of the southern group of the Western Carpathians, this resort reaches its pinnacle with the majestic Gozna Stone and the towering Semenic peak which has an altitude over 1.400 m.

    Despite the elevated location, the climate remains remarkably mild and easily tolerable, making it an ideal destination even for families with young children. Winter temperatures range from a crisp -25°C to a comfortable 6°C, while summers offer a pleasant escape with temperatures fluctuating between 10°C and 25°C.

    Semenic distinguishes itself as one of the rare spots in the country where snow blankets the landscape for approximately six months each year, creating a haven for winter sports enthusiasts.

    From Valiug to Semenic resort

    Unfortunately, a part of the road is in a pretty bad condition but luckily the snow filled some of the potholes making the road somewhat better.

    Interesting fact, as we drove up to Semenic from Valiug the fog gradually started to appear and the rain turned into snow. Even though we visited this place in early April, I didn’t think that I would find such a big amount of snow up in the mountains.

    Road to Semenic covered with snow and dense fog.
    The road leading to the Semenic resort covered with snow.
    The road near the resort.
    The main road protected by tall pine trees.

    Dense fog on top of the mountain

    After we reached the Semenic mountain, which is located at an altitude of over 1.400 m, the fog started to become even denser.

    statiunea semenic sign.
    Semenic resort sign.
    Buildings in the resort.
    Despite the bad weather, there were many tourists in the resort.
    Cabin and the forest in dense fog.
    In the dense fog, I found a cabin located near the edge of the forest.
    Hotel roof.
    Interesting roof of an older hotel.
    Pine tree near the forest
    A pine tree near the forest.
    Winter wonderland.
    Winter, snow, and of course, dense fog – the perfect combination.
    Forest covered with snow.
    Beautiful winter scenery on the Semenic Mountain.

    How to reach this winter wonderland?

    Depending from where are you coming from, you will have two options:

    • Resita – Valiug – Semenic
    • Slatina Timis – Brebu Nou – Semenic

    What else can you visit near Semenic resort?

    • The first option would be the village of Valiug where you can admire the beautiful lake Gozna. If you visit this place in winter, then you will find a ski slope as well.
    • At the foothill of the Banat Mountains, you will find the city of Resita where you can visit the steam locomotive museum. All the steam locomotives from the museum were built a long time ago in Resita.
  • Steam Locomotive Museum In Sibiu

    Steam Locomotive Museum In Sibiu

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    The Steam locomotive museum in Sibiu is located near the main train station. Over there you will find a smaller collection of old steam locomotives which once were used by the CFR. Besides the locomotives, you will have the chance to admire an old steam rotary steam plow and a steam crane as well. Unfortunately you won’t find any sorts of information about the old steam locomotives. You can always Google the number of the locomotives and you will find more details about them.

    The CFR 130.503

    Let me give you a couple of details about the 130.503. I heard that it was built in 1921 by Skoda in the former Czechoslovakia and since they performed very well, the Romanian Railway Company or simply the CFR has decided to make a larger order of these types of steam engines. Today you will find this locomotive near another great steam engine which is the 150.1105 loco.

    The CFR 130.503 in the Sibiu steam locomotive museum.

    The 150.1105

    Probably the 150 series locomotive is one of my favorite steam locomotive from the Sibiu steam engine museum. This steam engine was used in Romania for hauling heavy fright trains on some difficult lines like the line between Brasov – Ploiesti. These great locomotives were retired from service in 1978. Unfortunately, today almost all the exhibits are in a pretty bad condition.

    The CFR 150.1105 steam locomotive in Sibiu.

    The No. 94649

    The No. 94649 steam locomotive is a German loco and it was built in 1914 by Schwartzkopff Berlin. As you can see this loco is unfortunately in a pretty bad condition.

    The No. 94649 steam locomotive

    Old rotary snow plow in the Sibiu steam locomotive museum

    In the photo below you can actually see an old rotary steam snow plow which can be found in the small steam locomotive museum. This snow plow was built in Sweden in 1908.

    Steam plow in the Sibiu steam locomotive museum.

    The Ardelt CFR WMA 65.4 Steam Crane

    Among the amazing and old steam locomotives you will find a very special and probably very unique steam crane which was built in 1939. That steam crane is the Ardelt CFR WMA 65.4. Back in its days of glory, it was capable to lift up to 65 tonne. Now you will find this steam crane inside the small steam locomotive museum in Sibiu, right next to the turntable.

    CFR WMA 65.4 Steam Crane

    The 763-148 narrow gauge steam locomotive

    Besides the standard gauge steam locomotive you will also have the chance to admire a couple of narrow gauge steam locomotives which were used in Romania. One example is the CFR 763-148 which was used in the logging industry near Curtea de Argeş.

    CFR 763-148 narrow gauge steam locomotive in Sibiu.

    What else to do in Sibiu?

    Not far from this steam locomotive museum, you will find the historic center of Sibiu. You should check this place out as well.