Bicaz Chei – Gorges, Mountains and Local Customs

Bicaz-Chei lies in the valley of the upper reaches of the Bicaz River, at the foot of the three mountains Ceahlău, Hășmaș and Tarcău. The DN12C national road crosses the village of Bicaz-Chei, passing through the Bicaz Gorge along its route and connecting Piatra Neamț with Gheorgheni. In Bicaz-Chei, the DJ127A county road branches off from the DN12C; it leads via Dămuc to Lunca de Jos in Harghita County.

The roads converge here in a landscape where the river course, mountain foothills and gorges are closely interconnected. The route of the DN12C also represents the connection between the village, the Bicaz Gorge and the two cities of Piatra Neamț and Gheorgheni.

Nature

The Cheile Bicazului nature reserve, a mixed-type protected area, lies within Bicaz-Chei. Bicaz-Chei is located on the eastern side of the Cheile Bicazului–Hășmaș National Park. The Bicaz Gorge was formed by the Bicaz River and its tributaries. It stretches for 8 km between Lacu Roșu and Bicazul Ardelean. The Șugăului Gorge lies on the eastern edge of the national park and at the entrance to Bicaz-Chei.

The 8 km extent of the Bicaz Gorge describes a distinctly longer landscape area between Lacu Roșu and Bicazul Ardelean, while the Șugăului Gorge marks the eastern edge and the entrance to Bicaz-Chei. Thus, the named gorges do not appear as a single point, but as different parts of the surrounding natural area.

The access path to Munticelu Cave begins at Bicaz-Chei, initially climbs beneath the eastern wall of Piatra Glodului and then continues through alpine meadows. The underground area known as Lacul Zânelor lies in the southeastern part of Munticelu Cave; the Cimitirul Urșilor is located about 35 m away.

Culture

The tourist character of Bicaz-Chei includes traditional folk architecture, traditional livelihoods, handicrafts and local customs that have been maintained for a long time. The pastoral festival marking the driving of sheep to the mountain pastures is held in Bicaz-Chei every year on the first Sunday in May on the occasion of establishing the sheepfolds.

The date on the first Sunday in May links the festival with the annual driving of sheep to the mountain pastures and with the establishment of the sheepfolds. In addition to this fixed occasion, traditional folk architecture, livelihoods and handicrafts shape the tourist character of the village.

Activities

There are climbing routes on some of the rock walls of the Bicaz Gorge. The Astragalus Via Ferrata is located in the commune of Bicaz Chei in Neamț County, on the southern edge of the Cheile Șugăului–Munticelu nature reserve, which belongs to the Natura 2000 network. At Turnul Mare, the Astragalus Via Ferrata comprises a total of six interconnected routes and variants of different lengths and difficulty levels.

The six interconnected routes and variants at Turnul Mare differ both in length and in difficulty. The offer in this rock area therefore comprises several specifically identified routes, without combining them into a single route.

Hiking is offered as a tourist programme in the Bicaz Gorge and the Bicăjel Gorge. Access to the Astragalus Via Ferrata requires prior registration with Cabana Ecolog or the operator, as well as certified personal protective equipment. One route leads through the village of Bârnadu and then along a path used by shepherds to the Lapos Gate, locally called Poarta Laposului.

For the Astragalus Via Ferrata, prior registration and certified personal protective equipment are expressly part of the access requirements. The named route to the Lapos Gate first runs through Bârnadu and then along a path used by shepherds; the destination is locally known as Poarta Laposului.

Other Places

Other places: Agapia, Văratec, Durau, Vădurele, Dumbrava Roșie, Hangu, Săvinești, Tarcău.

To the higher-level travel overview: Neamt.