C onsiderations on Red Lake in Eastern Carpathians

Student Ştefana-Agnes Cărăuşu, Liceul Tehnologic Radu Cernătescu Iaşi

Teacher Emil Dănuţ Ipate

The main attraction of the resort is represented by one of the most wonderful lakes of Romania, Lacu Rosu („Red Lake”), one of the best-known and most visited natural of Eastern Carpathians . The remains of a fir-wood lying under the lake make it unique. It is even more significant because of another rarity, the Bicazi Pass in its vicinity.
The picturesque lake forms an organic part of the Hasmasu Mare mountain-range. It is a naturally barricaded lake formed 160 years ago as a result of a rockslide following a strong earthquake. It probably got the name „Red” because of its ferric oxide content which has conserved the remains of the pine-trees that still stand out of the lake. Some people still believe that the huge earthquake covered over shepherd lads and that is the reason of the lake reddish color. In sunny weather, the surface of the lake reflects the red limestone rocks of the shores. In the summer of 1837, date by which the lake had been definitely formed, its water-level was 1 m higher and stretched about 1 km longer into the valley of the Hasmas Stream.

We can organize programmes for a few days, climbing, long walks, hiking in the surroundings. If you have only a few hours to spend then hire a boat and go boating among the fir-trees on the water. I personally guarantee that you’ll never forget this trip. Peace, quietness, a mystical atmosphere, the peacefully swimming ducks, the surrounding cliffs, and the fresh air all sounds like paradise. If your time allows you should climb up to Kis-Cohard cliff (blue triangle blaze, about one and a half hour return). From there there is an excellent view to the lake and to the mountains around. The Red Lake and Bicaz pass from 1966 is national park. Here you find plant rarities like edelweiss or yew-tree and other different rock flowers.