Lake Cuejdel

About Lake Cuejdel

Lake Cuejdel lies hidden in the forests of the Stânișoarei Mountains, in Gârcina commune, about 20 km from Piatra Neamț and 669 m above sea level. It is both the youngest and the largest natural dam lake in the country: almost 14 hectares, around a kilometre long and more than 16 m deep, larger than the better-known Red Lake. Locals also call it the Lake of the Cross, after its branching shape.

It formed within living memory. From 1978 the left slope of the Cuejdel stream, heavily logged a few decades earlier, began to slide in stages. In 1991, after the previous year's earthquake and heavy rain, a large landslide blocked the valley completely with an earth dam 25–30 m high, and water built up behind it, drowning the forest on the valley floor. Since 2004 the lake and its surroundings have been a nature reserve, managed by the Neamț Forestry Directorate through the Gârcina forestry office.

Good to know before you go

Getting there

By car: leave Piatra Neamț heading north on the road to Târgu Neamț, then turn left for Gârcina commune and drive up to the village of Cuejdiu, to the small hermitage at the edge of the forest. Beyond the village, continue for a few kilometres on a forest road in good condition to the barrier where vehicle access ends; in all it is ~20 km and ~30 minutes from Piatra Neamț. From the barrier, the path waymarked with a red dot (also used by the Via Mariae pilgrimage trail) climbs and dips through the forest to the lake in about 35–45 minutes, with one steeper stretch. A second, longer approach comes from Crăcăoani, through the villages of Magazia and Cracăul Negru and then along a forest road; it suits long hikes or cycling.

Public transport: we could not confirm any bus services to Cuejdiu; the safest option is to travel by bus or train to Piatra Neamț and continue by car or taxi to the barrier.

Where to park

You leave the car at the barrier on the forest road beyond the village of Cuejdiu, where there is room to park along the road. We found no information about any fee. From there it is a 35–45 minute walk to the lake.

Fees & discounts

Access to the lake is free; there is no ticket. Organised groups of more than 10 people need a permit from the Gârcina forestry office, requested at least three days in advance.

Rules

The lake is a nature reserve: camping, fires and fishing are banned, and breaches are fined. Cars are no longer allowed up to the lake; access is only on foot or by bike. Stay on the waymarked path and do not disturb nesting birds. Organised groups of more than 10 people, as well as anyone filming or photographing for commercial or research purposes, need the approval of the Gârcina forestry office (phone 0233 242 270), requested at least three days in advance. Wear hiking shoes; after rain the path gets muddy.

Facilities

Three wooden viewing platforms on the lakeshore · no toilets, shop or food at the lake; small shops in Gârcina and Cuejdiu · no step-free access (forest path)