Mocănița Sovata is a narrow gauge steam locomotive hauling 3-4 passenger cars. This steam train runs between the city of Sovata and Câmpu Cetății which is a Transylvanian village located 14 km away. The starting point of each journey is from Gara Mică in Sovata. The entire journey to Câmpu Cetății and back usually takes approximately 2 hours. Along the line, the Transylvanian rural scenery is pretty amazing. I bet you won’t regret this trip on the Mocănița Sovata.
Important tip: For the latest updates on the schedule and ticket prices, be sure to visit their official website at https://mocanitasovata.ro/. You’ll find all the details you need, including the most up-to-date information to help plan your visit!
What is a Mocăniță?
In Romanian, Mocăniță means a train which runs on a narrow gauge railway. The most important one is in the region of Maramureș. However, there are a couple of them in Transylvania as well. Today, the majority of the narrow gauge lines in Romania are used for touristic purposes.
What type of steam locomotive is used?
The steam locomotive which is used on the Sovata to Câmpu Cetății narrow gauge line was built in Poland in 1949. It has a top speed of 35 km/h. On this line, the steam train doesn’t exceed an average speed of 15 km/h.
What is the history of this line?
In 1912 the construction of the narrow gauge railway line between Târgu Mureș and Praid has started and the first train started to operate on this line on 31th January 1915. Unfortunately, after 82 years, this amazing railway line was closed. In 2011 a private company has started to operate on a 14 km segment of the old Târgu Mureș – Praid narrow gauge railway line. To be more precise, between the “increasingly popular health resort” of Sovata and Câmpu Cetății. In a nutshell, this is how Mocăniță Sovata was founded.
From Sovata to Câmpu Cetății
As I mentioned above, the starting point is at Gara Mică in the city of Sovata. Below you will find some photos of the beautiful Transylvanian rural landscape along the railway line.
At Câmpu Cetății
Basically this is the terminus station on the Sovata – Câmpu Cetății narrow gauge line. Here, the steam locomotive is uncoupled from the front of the train and its coupled at the back of the train. Usually at Câmpu Cetății, the train stays for almost 10 minutes. In those 10 minutes you have plenty of time to take some amazing photos of the gorgeous train and the surrounding area.
From Câmpu Cetății back to Sovata
After almost 10 minutes the Mocănița Sovata was ready for the journey back to Sovata. Below, I’ve shared a couple of photos from this part of the trip.
Back in Sovata
After another hour of chugging through the picturesque landscapes, the steam train finally arrived in Sovata. A large crowd of tourists and train enthusiasts had already gathered, eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of the famous Mocăniță.
What to Do in Sovata?
Sovata is a charming and popular health resort, known for its natural beauty and therapeutic properties. One of the main attractions here is the famous Bear Lake, or Lacul Ursu in Romanian. This unique salt lake is renowned for its warm, heliothermal waters, making it a must-visit for relaxation, swimming, or simply soaking up its health benefits. Surrounded by lush forests, Bear Lake is perfect for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful getaway.
Something else to visit near Sovata?
Absolutely! Just a short drive away—only 10 km—you’ll find the quaint town of Praid, home to the impressive Praid Salt Mine. This underground marvel is more than just a salt mine; it’s also a health retreat and an exciting destination for tourists. Inside, you can explore vast galleries, learn about salt mining history, and even experience its therapeutic microclimate, which is said to benefit respiratory health.
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