Ocna Șugatag – Spa Resort and Salt Lakes

Ocna Șugatag is a spa resort in the Maramureș Depression. The town lies at an altitude of 490 metres. Ocna Șugatag is located at the foot of the volcanic massifs Țibleș and Gutin. Those who wish to discover the town through its spa tradition will encounter chlorosodic mineral springs, on which Ocna Șugatag’s spa operations are based. The Ocna Șugatag spa complex is in operation year-round.

Spa Resort and Salt Lakes

For a stay centred around water, Ocna Șugatag has therapy centres as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The town’s facilities also include beaches and leisure parks. A recreational complex is located near the salt lakes. This complex includes terraces, beaches and showers. Thus, the townscape features both facilities for therapeutic treatments and places for spending time, swimming and relaxing outdoors.

About a century ago, the chambers of the salt mines in Ocna Șugatag began to collapse. Lakes with varying salt concentrations, temperatures and depths formed in their place. These three characteristics describe the lakes as bodies of water with different properties while also indicating their formation at the site of the former mine chambers. Lacul Gavril is part of Ocna Șugatag’s tourist route. The lake is considered the largest anthropogenic salt lake of its kind in Romania. The salt lakes of Ocna Șugatag are used for heliotherapy, balneotherapy and swimming. Thus, the aquatic area highlights both the salt-related spa tradition and the lake landscape that emerged from mining.

Route and Activities

Those looking for a clearly defined tour will find the Ocna Șugatag–Desești–Mara route, which is 17 kilometres long. It is designated as a half-day tour. Lacul Gavril is listed as an attraction along this route. Swimming in the salt water of Ocna Șugatag is listed there as an experience. The route therefore connects the starting point of Ocna Șugatag with Desești and Mara and combines a natural feature with a listed swimming experience.

History and Architectural Heritage

Archaeological finds and historical documents show that salt was already being mined in the area around Ocna Șugatag in prehistoric times. Ocna Șugatag was first mentioned in a document in 1355. Its history is closely linked to salt mining.

The wooden church “Duminica Tuturor Sfinţilor” in Ocna Șugatag was built from spruce and oak wood. Its construction follows the traditional architectural style of Maramureș. This building vividly illustrates the connection between local history and the wooden architecture characteristic of Maramureș.

Other Places

Other places to discover include Târgu Lăpuș, Seini, Băile Borşa, Poienile Izei, Săcel, Coruia, Leordina and Sarasău.

Getting There

Means of transport for travelling to Ocna Șugatag include intercity buses and minibuses. The Ocna Șugatag spa resort can be reached from Baia Mare via national road DN 18.

To the overview of the wider travel region: Maramureş.