Hiking Trails of the Giurgeu Mountains
Around Lacul Roșu and on the edge of the Hășmaș Mountains — from ¾-hour family walks to 8.5-hour high-mountain loops. Every trail is officially marked and maintained by the Harghita County Council.
Officially marked, safe trails
The Giurgeu Mountains are among the most beautiful ranges of the Eastern Carpathians, with 9 officially marked hiking trails. These paths are safely passable and maintained by the Harghita County Council — suitable for families and for both novice and experienced hikers. Most of them start from Lacul Roșu and lead to the surrounding peaks, rock formations and waterfalls. The trails are indicated by painted blazes on trees and rocks — look out for the coloured shapes!
How to read the trail blazes?
Blue blazes
Generally longer, main routes. Blue cross, blue stripe, blue dot and blue triangle run between ridges and valleys.
Red blazes
Colour used for secondary routes or loop trails. Red cross, red triangle, red stripe — often varied terrain.
Yellow blazes
Thematic or connecting trails. For example, the yellow triangle links the Lacul Roșu area with Cheile Bicazului.
All hiking trails on one map
Click a marker or trail for details! The map shows the routes colour-coded by difficulty.
Trails in detail
Lacul Roșu → Suhard Cabin → Suhard Saddle → Suhardul Mic Plateau
4 stops · the classic "introductory" hike. Starting from the lakeside path of Lacul Roșu, it climbs to the Suhard Cabin and then crosses the saddle to the Suhardul Mic Plateau. No special equipment required.
No special equipment needed
Lacul Roșu → Stone Balcony → Marton Ferenc Trail → Trout Farm → Lacul Roșu centre
Loop trail around the lake. From the Stone Balcony viewpoint along the path named after the painter Ferenc Marton, down to the trout farm and back to the lake centre. A perfect half-day outing.
Medium-level hiking equipment
Lacul Roșu → Stone Balcony → Suhard Brook Valley → Piatra Găurită (Pierced Rock) → Licaș Pothole
Featuring the Licaș Pothole (a vertical cave). Through the wild valley of the Suhard Brook to the imposing rock formation Piatra Găurită (Pierced Rock), then to the entrance of the 30-metre-deep pothole. A full-day experience.
Medium-level hiking equipment
Lacul Roșu → Paleu Clearing → Fagul Roșu (Red Beech) → Piatra Rotundă (Round Rock) → Poiana Albă (White Meadow)
A route into the sub-alpine zone of the Hășmaș Mountains. Through the picturesque panoramas of the Paleu Clearing onto the Fagul Roșu ridge and Piatra Rotundă, then down to the famous alpine pastures of Poiana Albă — where shepherds' huts and flocks await you.
Medium-level hiking equipment
Lacul Roșu → Piatra Roșie Saddle → Ucigașu Clearing → Ucigașu Peak Viewpoint
To the birthplace of Lacul Roșu. Across the Piatra Roșie Saddle to the Ucigașu Clearing and up to the Ucigașu Peak viewpoint — from the summit of the mountain "responsible" for the lake's formation you get the finest panorama of the water.
No special equipment needed
Ucigașu Clearing → Ucigașu Peak
The shortest route up to Ucigașu Peak. From the Ucigașu Clearing it leads straight to the viewpoint — a perfect choice for families with small children. Only 45 minutes!
No special equipment needed
Tătarului Peak → Nyerges → Pongrácz Pass → Horse Meadow → White Meadow → Dancurás Saddle
The full longitudinal traverse of the Giurgeu Mountains. 6 main stops, high-mountain ridges, alpine meadows — from the northern edge of the Giurgeu Mountains towards the Hășmaș range. A full-day high-mountain expedition, only for prepared hikers.
Medium-level hiking equipment
Nyerges → Lapos → Licaș Saddle
A short ridge trail from Nyerges. Along the Lapos path up to the Licaș Saddle — an excellent introduction to the ridge trails of the Hășmaș Mountains. Open panoramas, easy terrain.
No special equipment needed
Lacul Roșu → Red Saddle → Lime-burners' Road → Cifra Saddle → Cheile Bicazului
The connecting trail between Lacul Roșu and Cheile Bicazului. The ancient "Lime-burners' Road" — once used by the local lime-burners who made quicklime here. It links two of the most famous natural wonders on foot.
No special equipment needed
Before you set out
Always follow the trail blazes! The painted coloured shapes are on the sides of trees and rocks. If you don't see a blaze for 5-10 minutes, turn back to the last one you saw — do not risk getting lost.
Checking the weather forecast is essential: in the Giurgeu Mountains the weather changes quickly. Summer storms strike suddenly, and in winter frost and fog pose serious dangers.
You are in bear country! The brown bear is present in the region. Walk while talking loudly or carrying a bell. Do not keep food in your tent when camping overnight.
Emergency: Salvamont (mountain rescue) 0725 826 668. Always carry: a charged phone, GPS, map, first-aid kit, suitable clothing and at least 2 L of water.