# Lake Cuejdel

[Romania](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/attractions) › [Moldavia](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/region/moldova) › [Neamț County](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/county/neamt) › [Gârcina](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/locality/garcina)

> Romania's largest natural dam lake, formed by landslides between 1978 and 1991 in the Stânișoarei Mountains, with bare spruce trunks rising out of the water; reached on foot through the forest.

**At a glance:** Lakes in Gârcina, Neamț County. Opening hours: daily open 24 hours. Ticket: Free. The visit takes 2 – 2½ hours. Information verified on 4 October 2026.

## Key facts

- **Opening hours:** daily open 24 hours — The lake is in the open air and can be reached on foot at any time of year. The Gârcina forestry office, which issues permits for groups, is open Monday–Thursday 08:00–16:30 and Friday 08:00–14:30 (as announced in 2016).
- **Ticket:** Free
- **Visit duration:** 2 – 2½ hours — the return hike and the shore
- **With kids:** Yes — forest path with one climb
- **Best season:** All year round — autumn: colours and mist
- **Address:** In the Cuejdel valley, a ~2 km walk from the barrier on the forest road beyond the village of Cuejdiu, Gârcina, Neamț County
- **Coordinates:** 47.0352, 26.2162
- **Wikipedia:** https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacul_Cuejdel
- **Wikidata:** https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18541228
- **Categories:** [Lakes](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/lacuri), [National parks and reserves](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/parcuri-nationale-si-rezervatii)

## 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.

### What you can see

The image the place is known for is the spruce and fir trunks still standing in the water, dry and bleached, mirrored on the surface. The lake is squeezed between wooded slopes and splits into several arms, so you never see all of it from one spot. There are three wooden viewing platforms on the shore, and a path runs around the lake for about 2.8 km. In autumn the beech and conifer forest turns colour and mist often hangs over the water in the morning; in winter the lake freezes over.

### Good to know

Cars are no longer allowed up to the lake: you leave them at the barrier on the forest road beyond the village of Cuejdiu, from where a waymarked path leads through the forest. Camping, fires and fishing are banned in the reserve, and there are no boats on the lake. Organised groups of more than 10 people need permission from the forestry office.

## Don't miss

- The dry spruce trunks still standing in the water, mirrored in the lake on a still morning.
- The three wooden platforms on the shore, from which you see the lake's arms between the wooded slopes.
- The path of about 2.8 km around the lake, past inlets full of drowned trees.
- The natural dam at the lower end, the collapsed hillside that blocked the valley in 1991.

## 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)

## Details

- **Protected area type:** nature reserve
- **Lake type:** natural dam lake
- **Area:** 13.95 ha
- **Maximum depth:** 16.45 m
- **Altitude:** 669 m
- **Swimming allowed:** No
- **Boat rental:** No

## Frequently asked questions about Lake Cuejdel

**How much is a ticket to Lake Cuejdel?**

Admission to Lake Cuejdel is free. 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.

**What are the opening hours of Lake Cuejdel?**

Opening hours at Lake Cuejdel: daily open 24 hours. The lake is in the open air and can be reached on foot at any time of year. The Gârcina forestry office, which issues permits for groups, is open Monday–Thursday 08:00–16:30 and Friday 08:00–14:30 (as announced in 2016).

**How long does a visit to Lake Cuejdel take?**

A visit to Lake Cuejdel takes about 2 – 2½ hours (the return hike and the shore).

**Can you visit Lake Cuejdel with kids?**

Yes, Lake Cuejdel is suitable for children (forest path with one climb).

**How do I get to Lake Cuejdel?**

Lake Cuejdel is located at In the Cuejdel valley, a ~2 km walk from the barrier on the forest road beyond the village of Cuejdiu, Gârcina, Neamț County. 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.

**When is the best time to visit Lake Cuejdel?**

The best season for Lake Cuejdel: All year round (autumn: colours and mist).

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Last updated: 4 October 2026
Source: Pe Plaiuri (https://peplaiuri.ro/en) — Guide to tourist attractions in Romania