The small village of Zolt can be found in the Poiana Rusca Mountains, just a short distance from Lake Surduc. The village is home to the charming old wooden church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul situated on its outskirts. I visited Zolt during my return trip from Cornet Waterfall because in order to reach my next objective in the area, I had to drive through the village.

If you are driving from Gladna Romana, as I did, you will have to drive through the village of Zolt in order to visit the church. As you near the outskirts of the village, you will see the old wooden church from the main road. It stands on a small hill in the Orthodox cemetery, right next to the cemetery you will find a small park in case you would like to take a small break.

Where should you go next?

After visiting the small church, I suggest continuing your journey on DC116 to Luncanii de Jos. The road is narrow with many tight curves, so you will need to drive slowly. As you get closer to Luncanii de Sus, you will drive up a large, steep hill. The climb is challenging, but once you reach the top, the view is incredibly beautiful and worth the effort. After that, the road gently slopes down into the valley until you arrive in Luncanii de Jos.

Once you are Luncanii de Jos I highly recommend you to check out the popular Translucani road which is bascially a smaller version of the Transfagaras road.

Lake Surduc is about 80 km from Timisoara, the capital city of the Banat region. This makes it a great spot for a day trip or a weekend getaway. The drive from Timisoara to Lake Surduc is scenic and enjoyable, taking you through beautiful countryside. Whether you are looking to relax by the water or explore nature, Lake Surduc is a perfect destination just a short drive away.

There are many ways to visit the beautiful Lake Surduc. If you are driving from Timisoara, the fastest route is to take the A1 highway. Near the village of Traian Vuia, you will need to exit the highway. After exiting, drive through the village and look for the sign pointing to Surduc, and make a left turn when you see it. From Traian Vuia, it is about 8 km to the Lake Surduc dam. This route is quick and easy, making your trip more enjoyable.

Also, it’s important to mention that this is a very popular destination, especially in the summer.

The scenery as seen from the dam

My first stop was at the dam, where you can see a large part of Lake Surduc. In the background, you can even spot the Poiana Rusca Mountains. Remember, walking on the dam is not allowed. You will see a few signs reminding you of this. But don’t worry, there are many places where you can enjoy the beautiful view. After spending a little time at the lake, I decided to drive to the shore of Lake Surduc for a closer look. The drive was short and scenic, leading to even more lovely spots to explore and relax.

Near the lake

Before reaching the village of Fardea, I decided to turn left onto a road that goes down to the lake. The drive was peaceful and gave me a chance to see the area from a different angle. When I got closer to the lake, I took some photos of the beautiful scenery. Here are a couple of pictures showing the stunning views near the lake. The water looked calm and inviting, and the surrounding nature added to the peaceful atmosphere.

Poiana Marului is a beautiful village located in Tarcu Mountains, not far from the city of Caransebes, Romania. If you plan to visit this place than you will have to drive from Caransebes toward Hateg and after the small town of Otelul Rosu you will have to take a right turn toward the village of Maru. Once you will leave the village, the road runs alongside a smaller river, coming from a dam nearby. It’s a scenic route, with green hills and trees all around.

The landscape next to the dam

Before continuing your journey to the village, you can make a short stop at the dam and admire the beautiful scenery. After you will leave the dam, the road continues next to the lake until you will reach the village. The dam has a height of 130 meters and it was constructed between 1984 and 1992.

Poiana Marului village

Once you arrived in the village and after you crossed the small bridge over the Sucu river, you will have two options:

1. If you make a left turn you can drive down to the lake Poiana Marului. As you drive on the road down to the lake, you will pass next to a beautiful orthodox hermitage called Maru. You can make a short stop and check it out. When you will reach a larger abandoned hotel, you will have to make a left turn and drive down to the lake. Also from the main road you can spot a couple of hotels and restaurants in case you decide to eat or drink something.
2. If you take a right turn, you’ll find yourself driving on a dirt road that runs alongside the Sucu River. This scenic route offers the chance to visit two stunning waterfalls: Ropote and Sucului. However, be aware that this road is not really suitable for regular cars; it’s best navigated with a 4×4 vehicle. For those who love adventure, you can continue driving on this dirt road until you reach the main road that leads up to the Muntele Mic Winter Resort.

Poiana Marului Hermitage

As you follow the main road down to the lake, on the right side you gonna see the Poiana Marului Hermitage.

Abandoned hotel

A couple hundred meters away from the hermitage and after you cross the small bridge over the Bistra Marului River mountain stream, you will find an abandoned hotel. Right in front of the hotel, you will have to make a left turn if you plan to explore the beautiful scenery near the lake.

Near the lake

Below I’ve shared a couple of pictures of the amazing scenery near the lake. On the left side of the lake, between the forest, is the main road that comes from the dam and on the right side you will gonna see a larger bleach forest.