Beliș between Lake, Mountains and Wooden Church

Beliș combines a distinctive mountain landscape with Lake Beliș-Fântânele and a varied local history. The commune is located in the Apuseni Mountains at the foot of the Vlădeasa Mountains. Forests, lakes and alpine meadows shape the landscape. The commune includes part of the upper basin of the Someșul Cald near Apuseni Nature Park. Alpine pastures and high-altitude plateaus are also characteristic features, defining the landscape around Beliș.

Lake Beliș-Fântânele is an artificial reservoir at the confluence of the Gilău Mountains, the Vlădeasa Mountains and Muntele Mare. The Beliș-Fântânele tourist area lies on the shore of the lake.

Other places for planning your trip: Lungești, Smida, Jucu de Sus, Gilău, Dealu Negru, Satu Lung, Petreștii De Jos and Săvădisla.

Nature and Water

At Lake Beliș-Fântânele, Acvatic Performer offers guided tours by kayak and paddleboard. Stand-up paddleboard rental is also available at the lake. For guided kayak and paddleboard tours, current opening hours and dates should be checked before arrival. Current opening hours should also be checked in advance for stand-up paddleboard rental.

A route connects Beliș with Dealu Botii and reaches a viewpoint overlooking the Fântânele Reservoir after approximately 7.5 kilometres. When preparing for a route, current trail conditions and, where applicable, the times in effect for organised activities should also be checked.

History and Culture

In the centre of Beliș stands the Monument to the Martyr Heroes of 1918. In the new village of Beliș, another monument was erected in 1996 for those killed in 1918. The two monuments are located in different places and each commemorates the events of 1918.

A notable architectural monument is the wooden church of Beliș. It is dedicated to the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Its exterior is clad in shingles, while its architecture has a ship-like form. After the construction of the Fântânele-Beliș dam, the wooden church was moved from Giurcuța de Jos to Belișul Nou. The building’s history is therefore connected with the construction of the dam and the former settlement of Giurcuța de Jos.

During dry summers, the ruins of the church of Giurcuța de Jos may become visible when the lake’s water level is very low. The relocated wooden church and the church ruins that are visible at times thus represent two different traces of the local history: a preserved building at its current location and remains at the former settlement site.

Access and Regional Cuisine

The most important road connection to Beliș is via DJ 108C from Huedin through Călățele, where it connects with DN1/E60. Current road conditions can be checked before setting out.

Restaurant Bianca serves traditional dishes from the mountain region of the Apuseni Mountains. These include balmoș with mushrooms and Transylvanian stew. The cuisine thus highlights typical dishes of the mountain region and complements the nature and cultural themes with a culinary aspect.

For the overarching travel overview: Cluj-Napoca.