Discover Sowata: Salt Lakes, Trails and Culture

Lacul Ursu is the largest heliothermal salt lake in the world. It was formed between 1875 and 1880 through the gradual dissolution of the salt deposit and the subsequent collapse of the terrain. The artificial Lacul Tivoli was created in 1975 and 1976 at the foot of Muntele Cireșelu. Lacul Mierlei is the youngest salt lake in Sovata and was formed in a salt sinkhole.

Nature

The Salt Eco-Educational Trail begins at Lacul Ursu, passes Lacul Șerpilor, Lacul Mierlei and Muntele de Sare, reaches Lacul Aluniș and returns to Lacul Ursu. It was created to showcase the special features of Sovata’s salt lakes, salt mountains and wetland habitats. The Ursu Eco-Educational Trail circles Lacul Paraschiva, passes through a clearing and sinkholes in the deciduous forest, and then returns to Lacul Ursu. To help visitors cross and observe the terrain, this trail has stairways with handrails, rest areas, a covered viewpoint and a forest school.

Trails

There is a designated running track around Lacul Ursu. Aleea Tivoli is a 600-metre-long path from Lacul Ursu to Lacul Tivoli and takes approximately 20 minutes. A short hiking route from Lacul Ursu via Lacul Tineretului and Grota ursului to Vârful Cireșelu is listed as taking one hour. The Western Tourist Promenade begins at Lacul Ursu, leads over wooded hills to the boundary of the protected area, to a viewpoint overlooking the Verde and Roșu lakes, and through sinkholes in the salt mountain.

Activities

Adrenalin Plus Adventure Park is located directly next to Lacul Tivoli. During the season, visitors can rent boats and pedal boats at Lacul Tivoli; the lake can be reached by car or on foot from the area around Lacul Ursu. Swimming is possible at the lakeside bathing facilities at Ursu, Aluniș and Negru. The small saltwater pools in Valea Sărată are used by visitors as bathing spots for one or two people, and Valea Sărată can be reached via the western promenade of Drumul Sării.

The Mocănița travels the 30-kilometre route between Sovata and Câmpu Cetății in two hours and operates seasonally from spring to autumn. Sovata’s ski slope has a 500-metre chairlift and a 200-metre ski lift for beginners. On off-road trips around Sovata, visitors explore the surrounding hills and mountains in off-road vehicles with experienced drivers.

At the Amenus Equestrian Centre, visitors can take riding lessons and attend riding camps; the centre also offers archery. Amenus Adventure Farm offers children and adults encounters with domestic animals and other animal species. The barefoot trail near Piroska Lake consists of various surfaces that are intended to stimulate the reflex points on the soles of the feet while walking.

Culture

The Kusztos Endre Memorial House is Sovata’s only art gallery and displays the artist’s well-known charcoal drawings. The Roman Catholic “Sacred Heart” Chapel in Sovata was completed in 1939 and has an aragonite altar and stained-glass windows. The “Géra” salt spring commemorates the former spring that supplied water to the first salt-bathing facility in the Lower Station.

Summer cultural programs on the stage in Petőfi Park feature local and regional artists. The summer cultural programs also include light-music concerts with artists from Hungary and Romania. In the restaurants of the Sovata resort and the microregion, visitors can sample typical dishes and drinks from the microregion. The one-hour “Relaxing Walk in Sovata” is a self-guided route through the old town.

You can find other places in the same area here: Ungheni, Maia, Absdorf, Burgfeld, Gorneşti, Targu Mures, Săcalu De Pădure and Hetiur.

For the higher-level travel overview: Mures.