Lake Sfânta Ana

About Lake Sfânta Ana

At a glance: Lakes in Harghita County. Opening hours: daily 09:00 – 19:00. Ticket: 46 lei. The visit takes 1½ – 2 hours. Information verified on 28 September 2026.

Lake Sfânta Ana (Saint Anne) lies on the floor of a crater of the extinct Ciomatu volcano, in the south of Harghita County, above the spa town of Băile Tușnad. The almost circular lake covers about 19.5 hectares, is at most 7 m deep and sits at 946 m, enclosed by the forested walls of the crater. It is regarded as Romania's only volcanic lake.

The lake has no springs: it is fed only by rain and melting snow, which is why its water holds very few minerals. Studies disagree on when Ciomatu last erupted, but pollen analysis shows that the lake has existed for around 9,000 years. Sediment is slowly filling it in — in the 19th century it was about 12 m deep — and, to protect it, the reserve's management plan banned swimming from 2018.

The name comes from the Roman Catholic chapel dedicated to Saint Anne on the northern shore, where pilgrims gather every summer around the saint's feast day on 26 July.

Good to know before you go

Getting there

By car: leave the DN12 (Sfântu Gheorghe – Miercurea Ciuc) at Bixad for the DJ113 and climb a narrow, winding tarmac road through the forest to the car park by the visitor centre. The lake is ~48 km from Sfântu Gheorghe and ~55 km from Miercurea Ciuc. Cars can no longer drive down to the lake: from the car park it is ~1.5 km on foot, downhill.

Public transport: take the train to Băile Tușnad (Brașov – Miercurea Ciuc line), then walk the trail marked with a red cross, which starts in the centre of the resort: 6.7 km, 2.5–3 hours.

Where to park

The main car park, which is paid, is on the saddle between the craters next to the visitor centre, with room for ~120 cars and 8 coaches. The entry ticket includes a few hours of free parking; without a ticket the first 10 minutes are free, after which you pay. For an overnight stay, a pitch in the designated camping area costs 150 lei per car.

Fees & discounts

The day ticket covers the lake, the Mohoș peat bog and the visitor centre (exhibition, film, toilets). At the ticket office: 46 lei for adults, 35 lei for pupils aged 15–18 and students, 32 lei for children aged 5–14; online it is cheaper (41, 31 and 29 lei). Children under 5 go free. Family and group tickets (from 8 people) are available. Guiding in Mohoș and boat rides are paid separately.

Rules

The lake is a nature reserve: swimming has been banned since 2018 and fishing is not allowed. Picnics on the lakeshore are not allowed — do not bring large bags of food down to the water; fires may only be lit in designated spots. Do not feed the bears or leave food scraps behind. Camping is only allowed in the overnight area by the car park, with quiet hours round the clock. Keep your ticket throughout the visit, as it may be checked.

Facilities

Visitor centre with exhibition, screening room and toilets (including an accessible one) · toilets on the lakeshore · buffet with terrace · food stalls in summer · interactive play park for children · transport down to the lake for disabled visitors, included in the ticket · camping area with showers