Lake Ursu

About Lake Ursu

Lake Ursu (Bear Lake) lies in the middle of the Sovata spa resort, in a wooded hollow at the foot of the Gurghiu Mountains. It covers around 4 hectares and is more than 18 m deep. It began to form in 1875, when the ground above the salt massif caved in, and over the following years two streams filled the hollow. Its outline resembles a stretched-out bearskin, which gave the lake its name; the bear also appears on the town's coat of arms.

The lake is famous for heliothermy: the streams' fresh water stays on the surface, above the very salty water, and acts like a lid that lets sunlight through but keeps the heat in. As a result, in summer the water a metre or two below the cool surface often climbs above 40 °C. Salinity rises towards the bottom to almost 300 grams per litre, so you float without any effort. The lake's water and mud are used in the resort's spa treatments, mainly for rheumatic and gynaecological conditions.

The lake is the heart of the 79-hectare "Lake Ursu and the salt-soil woodlands" nature reserve, which also takes in the Aluniș, Verde, Roșu, Mierlei and Paraschiva lakes and a forest of oak, sessile oak and beech growing directly on salt.

Good to know before you go

Getting there

By car: Sovata lies on the DN13A, between Sighișoara (~70 km) and Odorheiu Secuiesc (~50 km); from Târgu Mureș it is ~55–60 km, about an hour. In town, head up to the Sovata-Băi resort along Strada Trandafirilor, which ends near the southern shore of the lake, at the lido entrance.

Public transport: several minibuses and coaches run daily from Târgu Mureș to Sovata (some as far as the resort), operated by private companies; timetables are on the bus timetable websites. Sovata bus station is on Strada Trandafirilor, about a kilometre from the lake.

Where to park

On Strada Trandafirilor and Strada Bradului, in the resort area, parking on public land is paid, at the roadside machines or by text message. The hotels around the lake have car parks for guests. On summer weekends the spaces near the lake fill up quickly; it is easier to leave the car lower down, towards the bus station, and walk up.

Fees & discounts

Walking the path around the lake and the reserve's trails is free. Entry to the lido is paid; prices are set each season by the operator and are not published on its website, so check them at the ticket office or at the tourist information centre. In summer, the Ensana hotels in Sovata include lido entry for their guests.

Rules

The lake is a nature reserve: do not pick plants, do not leave litter and do not enter the fenced-off Green and Red lakes. At the lido, respect the midday break, do not dive and do not splash water into your eyes; the salt water stings and must not be swallowed. Stay in the water for only 20–30 minutes at a time, go in gradually and avoid bathing straight after a meal. People with heart conditions or high blood pressure, and pregnant women, should ask a doctor first.

Facilities

Lido with wooden decks and pontoons, in summer · footpath of ~1 km around the lake, with benches and viewpoints · tourist information centre and reserve information point · public toilets along the path · playground and outdoor fitness equipment on the western shore · hotels, restaurants and treatment centres right on the shore