Harghita (county)

Harghita (county)

Harghita county is the cold heart of the east and a world of deep stone and volcanic history. You drive through the **Bicaz** Gorge, where the massive rock walls rise hundreds of feet above the narrow road. The space is so tight that it feels like the mountains are trying to touch overhead, and the air remains cool throughout the year. It is one of the most famous drives in the country for its raw power and the rushing stream that flows right next to the asphalt. Every turn in the gorge reveals a new cliff face or a hidden waterfall falling from the heights. Visit the **Red Lake**, which was formed when an entire mountain collapsed into a valley during an earthquake. You can still see the dark trunks of dead trees sticking out of the water like ghosts from the past. The lake is surrounded by thick pine woods and has a mysterious, still atmosphere that is perfect for a quiet boat ride. It is a great spot to rest and enjoy the mountain scenery while listening to the legends of the lost treasure hidden in the water. The local vibe is very calm, and the surrounding trails offer easy walks through the forest. The local **Szekler** culture is visible in the colorful houses and the beautifully carved wooden gates that stand at the entrance of every yard. You find mountain spas where the water is naturally carbonated and full of minerals that are famous for their healing properties. The food is rich and warm, featuring local specialties like goulash and chimney cake baked over an open flame. This route is a journey into a wild and proud land where the traditions are as strong as the stone of the mountains. You will find a warm welcome in the small guesthouses that dot the high valleys.

Harghita (county) highlights

Part of these road trips

Follow the routes that cross this destination

The Scenic Route
The Heritage Drive
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History of Harghita (county)

Harghita is a land of volcanic fires and deep evergreen silence in the heart of the eastern peaks. It is home to Saint Anne Lake which is the only volcanic crater lake in the region formed in the caldera of a volcano that became extinct thousands of years ago. The landscape is a testament to the raw energy of the earth featuring post volcanic mofettas and hundreds of sparkling mineral springs that have been used for healing since the medieval era. This geological wealth turned the county into a sanctuary for health and rest tucked away in the high cold valleys of the Carpathians. The history of the county is inextricably linked to the Szekler people who served for centuries as the guardians of the Transylvanian borders. Their heritage is visible in the massive wooden gates and the fortified churches that stand in the center of every village. The region is also home to the Bicaz Gorges which is a dramatic limestone passage where stone walls rise three hundred meters high almost touching above the narrow road. Nearby the Red Lake holds a ghostly forest of petrified trees that were swallowed by the water after a massive landslide in eighteen hundred and thirty seven. Road trippers should navigate the winding mountain passes to reach the high altitude resorts of Borsec or Harghita Băi. You can visit the Praid Salt Mine which is a massive underground world where the air is pure and the chambers are vast enough to hold a library and a gallery. The local culture is famous for its colorful pottery and the traditional chimney cakes baked over open fires. Harghita is a mystical journey through the volcanic past and the enduring traditions of the mountain frontier.
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