Red Lake is one of the most hauntingly beautiful lakes in the entire Carpathian range — a natural dam lake in Romania's Hășmaș Mountains, famous for the ghostly trunks of petrified fir trees still rising from its waters. Combine that with dramatic mountain scenery and proximity to the stunning Bicaz Gorge, and you have a destination that is hard to forget.

The lake sits at 983 m altitude, cradled between peaks on all sides — Suhardul Mic and Suhardul Mare to the north, and the evocatively named Muntele Ucigaș ('The Killer Mountain') to the east. The valley is almost entirely sheltered from wind, with exceptionally clean air full of natural aerosols, making it a natural retreat. In summer the calm water mirrors the forested slopes perfectly; in autumn the beeches and spruces blaze with colour; in winter a quiet, subalpine calm takes over. The average annual temperature of 8°C makes it noticeably milder than other mountain valleys nearby.

• From Gheorgheni — road DN12C heading east, approximately 26 km; accessible by car or bus directly to the lakeside; easy
• From Bicaz — road DN12C heading west, approximately 30 km, passing through the famous Bicaz Gorge; easy

• The lake perimeter is 2,830 m — a pleasant, easy walk all the way around
• Altitude: 983 m above sea level
• Guesthouses and restaurants are available near the lake, especially in summer season
• The nearby Cheile Bicazului-Hășmaș National Park is well worth combining with a visit

The lake was born from a massive landslide, most likely triggered by a 6.9-magnitude earthquake on January 23, 1838. The flooded spruce forest petrified over time, and the skeletal trunks still jutting from the water give Red Lake its uniquely eerie and unforgettable atmosphere.