About Ochiul Beiului Lake
At a glance: Lakes in Caraș-Severin County. Opening hours: daily open 24 hours. Ticket: ~12 lei. The visit takes 2½ – 3 hours. Information verified on 28 September 2026.
Ochiul Beiului Lake ("the Bey's Eye") is a pool of just 284 m², 3.6 m deep, in the Bei valley in the south of the Anina Mountains. The park authority describes it as a doline lake: a karst spring that today lies on the lake floor dissolved the limestone from below and hollowed out the basin that holds the water. The spring never stops, so the water stays cold and clear all year round and does not freeze even in winter, and the stream flowing out of the lake is the permanent course of the Bei.
Its colour is what makes it famous: the white limestone bed and very clean water give a turquoise that shifts into emerald green, brightest around midday, when the sun falls straight onto the lake. The name comes from a local legend about a young bey who lost an eye fighting over a shepherd girl; the lake is said to have sprung from the spot where the eye fell. Protection of the area began in 1943, with the Beușnița reserve, and today the Bei valley lies within the Cheile Nerei – Beușnița nature reserve.
What you can see
The lake appears suddenly, in a clearing in the beech forest, at the end of a forest road that climbs alongside the Bei. From the shore you can see the stones and boulders on the bottom and, with a little patience, the trout gliding through the water. On the downstream side, a wooden footbridge crosses the lake's outflow, where the water tumbles in white foam over moss-covered stones. From the lake, a path of about 25 minutes climbs the Beușnița valley to the Beușnița Waterfall, with its travertine steps, and on the way back you can detour to the La Văioaga waterfall.
Good to know
The lake is small and fragile: swimming and boats are banned by the park regulations, and the banks erode when people walk on them. On summer weekends the forest road and the parking spaces get crowded.
- The lake's turquoise water, so clear that you can see the stones on the bottom and the trout, especially around midday, when the sun falls straight onto it.
- The wooden footbridge over the lake's outflow, where the permanent course of the Bei stream begins.
- The Beușnița Waterfall, about 25 minutes' walk along the path from the lake, with water stepping down over travertine.
- The La Văioaga waterfall, in the Bei valley below the trout farm, a short detour on the way to the lake.
- The red-cross trail from Socolari over Custura Cetății, a car-free way in, with a panorama from the ridge.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: first head for Podul Beiului, on the Nera, at the end of the DJ571K, through the village of Potoc: it is ~20 km from Oravița (~30 min), ~14 km from Sasca Montană, ~70 km from Reșița (~1h25) and ~130 km from Timișoara (~2h20), on the DN59 and DN57 to near Oravița. From Podul Beiului a gravel forest road runs up the Bei valley for about 4.5 km to the trout farm and the Bei campsite, where you leave the car; the road is narrow and potholed, with few passing places, so drive slowly. From the trout farm it is another ~2 km on foot, along the forest road and a path, to the lake (35–45 min), plus ~1 km to the Beușnița Waterfall. You can also leave the car at Podul Beiului and walk the whole way on the yellow-stripe trail (the signpost at the lake gives 6.4 km).
Public transport: we found no regular services to Podul Beiului. The nearest you can get by bus or train is Oravița, ~20 km away, from where you need a car. On foot, the lake can be linked with Socolari (red-cross trail, ~11 km, 3h30) or Potoc (yellow-dot trail, towards the La Văioaga waterfall).
- Where to park
There are parking spaces at Podul Beiului, next to the park's information point, and at the Bei trout farm and campsite, the end of the road open to cars. Parking charges are not published by the park authority. The 2026 management plan notes heavy traffic in the Bei valley at peak times and cars parked in the forest; use only the designated spaces and arrive early on summer weekends.
- Fees & discounts
Entry to the Cheile Nerei – Beușnița National Park is paid (official website): adults €2 + VAT (~12 lei), pupils, students and pensioners €1 + VAT. Pay in cash at the information point at Podul Beiului or by text message to 7494 (code NERA1 for one adult, NERA2 or NERA4 for 2 or 4 adults, RNERA1 for the reduced rate); the text-message ticket is valid only on the day it is sent, and the confirmation message must be kept for the whole visit. Children under 7 go free.
- Rules
The park's 2026 regulations ban swimming in the lake and boats of any kind on it; do not go into the water or walk on the banks, which crumble easily. Keep to the marked roads and paths. Dogs are allowed only on a lead, and you must carry their health papers. Fires are allowed only in the fire pits at the campsites, camping only in designated areas (at the Bei ranger station/campsite), and all litter goes back with you. No loud music or noise. Low flights by aircraft with combustion engines are banned; for drones, ask the park authority beforehand. Commercial filming or photography needs the park's approval. Watch out for vipers on sunny paths.
- Facilities
Park information and ticket point at Podul Beiului · at the trout farm: campsite, a small terrace bar and portable toilets · at the lake only benches and information boards, no toilets and no drinking water · guesthouses in Sasca Montană and the surrounding villages · the path to the lake is wide and easy, but gravelly and rooty, hard going with a pushchair
Frequently asked questions about Ochiul Beiului Lake
- How much is a ticket to Ochiul Beiului Lake?
- A ticket to Ochiul Beiului Lake costs ~12 lei (€2 + VAT; reduced €1 + VAT). Entry to the Cheile Nerei – Beușnița National Park is paid (official website): adults €2 + VAT (~12 lei), pupils, students and pensioners €1 + VAT. Pay in cash at the information point at Podul Beiului or by text message to 7494 (code NERA1 for one adult, NERA2 or NERA4 for 2 or 4 adults, RNERA1 for the reduced rate); the text-message ticket is valid only on the day it is sent, and the confirmation message must be kept for the whole visit. Children under 7 go free.
- What are the opening hours of Ochiul Beiului Lake?
- Opening hours at Ochiul Beiului Lake: daily open 24 hours. The lake is in the forest, in the open air, with no opening hours; come in daylight. The park fee is paid at the information point at Podul Beiului or by text message; the point's hours are not published.
- How long does a visit to Ochiul Beiului Lake take?
- A visit to Ochiul Beiului Lake takes about 2½ – 3 hours (from the trout farm, with Beușnița).
- Can you visit Ochiul Beiului Lake with kids?
- Yes, Ochiul Beiului Lake is suitable for children (easy forest road, cold water).
- How do I get to Ochiul Beiului Lake?
- Ochiul Beiului Lake is located at Bei valley, ~6.4 km from Podul Beiului (DJ571K, Sasca Montană), along the forest road and then on foot, Caraș-Severin County. By car: first head for Podul Beiului, on the Nera, at the end of the DJ571K, through the village of Potoc: it is ~20 km from Oravița (~30 min), ~14 km from Sasca Montană, ~70 km from Reșița (~1h25) and ~130 km from Timișoara (~2h20), on the DN59 and DN57 to near Oravița. From Podul Beiului a gravel forest road runs up the Bei valley for about 4.5 km to the trout farm and the Bei campsite, where you leave the car; the road is narrow and potholed, with few passing places, so drive slowly. From the trout farm it is another ~2 km on foot, along the forest road and a path, to the lake (35–45 min), plus ~1 km to the Beușnița Waterfall. You can also leave the car at Podul Beiului and walk the whole way on the yellow-stripe trail (the signpost at the lake gives 6.4 km). Public transport: we found no regular services to Podul Beiului. The nearest you can get by bus or train is Oravița, ~20 km away, from where you need a car. On foot, the lake can be linked with Socolari (red-cross trail, ~11 km, 3h30) or Potoc (yellow-dot trail, towards the La Văioaga waterfall).
- When is the best time to visit Ochiul Beiului Lake?
- The best season for Ochiul Beiului Lake: All year round (crowded on summer weekends).
Reviews
Other attractions nearby
The closest attractions to Ochiul Beiului Lake, sorted by distance.
Top 1001 km from Ochiul Beiului Lake
Top 10020 km from Ochiul Beiului Lake
39 km from Ochiul Beiului Lake
