About Red Lake
At a glance: Lakes in Lacu Roșu, Harghita County. Opening hours: daily open 24 hours. Ticket: Free. The visit takes 1½ – 2 hours. Information verified on 28 September 2026.
Red Lake (Lacul Roșu) was formed in 1837, when a large chunk of the slope of Mount Ghilcoș, also known as Ucigașul (the Killer), gave way after heavy rain and blocked the Bicaz river. Water filled the valley behind the earth dam and covered the forest growing on its floor. Some recent studies link the landslide to the earthquake of January 1838, but 1837 remains the year accepted by the park authority. The L-shaped lake lies at around 983 m, at the foot of Hășmașul Mare, and is a nature reserve within the Cheile Bicazului – Hășmaș National Park.
It takes its name from the reddish silt and rocks around it, which tint the water, while its Hungarian name, Gyilkos-tó, means "the killer lake", after a legend about a village buried by the landslide. The Lacu Roșu resort, part of the town of Gheorgheni, has grown up on its shore.
What you can see
The lake's trademark is the fir trunks that have stood upright for almost two centuries: they poke out of the water like stakes, in many places right by the shore. They are best seen from a rowing boat, hired at the landing stage, or from the path marked with a red cross that circles the lake through the forest. Above it rise Suhardul Mic and Piatra Ghilcoș, both reached by short trails, and a few kilometres downstream the Bicaz Gorge begins.
Good to know
The lake is silting up: the streams that feed it carry sediment, and its surface has shrunk noticeably over recent decades. Swimming is not allowed, and in winter the lake freezes over.
- The fir trunks that have risen from the water for almost two centuries, the remains of the forest drowned in 1837.
- A boat ride from the landing stage, among the trunks sticking out of the water.
- The walk around the lake on the path marked with a red cross, an easy loop of about 3.5 km, roughly an hour on foot.
- The climb from the landing stage to Piatra Ghilcoș, on the blue-dot trail, in about two hours, for a view of the lake from above.
- The Bicaz Gorge, which begins a few kilometres downstream, on the same road.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the lake lies right on the DN12C, the road between Gheorgheni and Bicaz. From Gheorgheni it is ~26 km, over the Pângărați Pass; from Moldavia, take the DN15 from Piatra Neamț to Bicaz, then the DN12C through the Bicaz Gorge (~60 km in all, about an hour). From Miercurea Ciuc or Brașov, follow the DN12 to Gheorgheni, then the DN12C. The road is paved but narrow and tightly winding through the gorge.
Public transport: daily minibuses link Gheorgheni (about half an hour) and Piatra Neamț (about an hour) with the Lacu Roșu resort. Gheorgheni also has a railway station, on the Brașov – Deda line.
- Where to park
There are car parks next to the lake, on both sides of the road, paid in the warmer months; the rate is not published by any official source. The guesthouses and hotels in the resort have their own parking for guests. On summer weekends the car parks fill up by midday and cars end up among the walkers: arrive in the morning.
- Fees & discounts
Access to the lake is free. The Cheile Bicazului – Hășmaș National Park charges a visitor fee of 10 lei per day for adults and children over 14 and 5 lei per day for children under 14 (2026 rates), with tickets also sold online on the park's website. Boat rides are paid separately, at the landing stage.
- Rules
The lake is a nature reserve within the national park: swimming is not allowed, do not pick plants, leave no litter and light no fires outside designated areas. When rowing, watch out for submerged trunks, some of them barely visible. In winter, do not venture onto the ice unless you know it is safe.
- Facilities
Rowing boat hire at the landing stage in summer · restaurants, guesthouses, hotels and toilets in the resort · stalls with local produce and food by the lake · adventure park and summer bobsleigh track in the resort
Frequently asked questions about Red Lake
- How much is a ticket to Red Lake?
- Admission to Red Lake is free (park fee: 10 lei per day). Access to the lake is free. The Cheile Bicazului – Hășmaș National Park charges a visitor fee of 10 lei per day for adults and children over 14 and 5 lei per day for children under 14 (2026 rates), with tickets also sold online on the park's website. Boat rides are paid separately, at the landing stage.
- What are the opening hours of Red Lake?
- Opening hours at Red Lake: daily open 24 hours. The lake is in the open air and can be visited at any time, all year round. Boats are hired from the landing stage only in the warmer months; their hours are not officially published.
- How long does a visit to Red Lake take?
- A visit to Red Lake takes about 1½ – 2 hours (the lake walk and a boat ride).
- Can you visit Red Lake with kids?
- Yes, Red Lake is suitable for children (easy path, boats).
- Where can I park at Red Lake?
- There is paid parking at Red Lake (paid in summer, by the lake). There are car parks next to the lake, on both sides of the road, paid in the warmer months; the rate is not published by any official source. The guesthouses and hotels in the resort have their own parking for guests. On summer weekends the car parks fill up by midday and cars end up among the walkers: arrive in the morning.
- How do I get to Red Lake?
- Red Lake is located at DN12C, at the landing stage in the Lacu Roșu resort, Lacu Roșu, Harghita County. By car: the lake lies right on the DN12C, the road between Gheorgheni and Bicaz. From Gheorgheni it is ~26 km, over the Pângărați Pass; from Moldavia, take the DN15 from Piatra Neamț to Bicaz, then the DN12C through the Bicaz Gorge (~60 km in all, about an hour). From Miercurea Ciuc or Brașov, follow the DN12 to Gheorgheni, then the DN12C. The road is paved but narrow and tightly winding through the gorge. Public transport: daily minibuses link Gheorgheni (about half an hour) and Piatra Neamț (about an hour) with the Lacu Roșu resort. Gheorgheni also has a railway station, on the Brașov – Deda line.
- When is the best time to visit Red Lake?
- The best season for Red Lake: All year round (boats in summer only).
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