Getting through the bridge near the Ciucas Lake, which lies above the Olt River, the road divides: going to the left direction, the path goes beside the Campsite/Camping (where information boards are placed) and the mineral water spring called „Youth”, and leads into the forest, to the building of the mofetta. From this point the path can be continued on the forest road until the entrance gate to the Falcon Stone Nature Reserve. From here you can get a short connecting route to the bridge above the Olt River and thus closes a circle. The route can also be made with a bike, with some difficulty between the mofetta and the forest road.
Topics of the information boards of the nature trail:
1.-4. The mineral water springs of Băile Tușnad
2. About the Băile Tușnad – Mofetta – Falcons Stone thematic path
3. Flora and fauna around the mofetta
4. Natura therapeutic factors in Băile Tușnad – Natural therapeutic gases – Mofetta
About the mofetta
The mofetta belongs to the bath culture of Băile Tușnad, which was discovered on the right side of the Olt River in 1895 by canon Imets Fülöp Jákó, who was born in Tușnad village. For a long time the mofetta was known as the sulfur pit of Imets. Dr. Kovács Károly, who was born in Vrabia, was the first one who built a proper modern building which enabled the visit and use of the mofetta. After that local people invented funny poems that included the doctor’s name and the smell of the gas, using the appropriate language of that time.
Mofetta means a natural break of the carbon dioxide (dry gaz) as the after-effect of the volcanic activity. These gazes contain 85% (sometimes 98%) carbon-dioxid. The carbon-dioxid baths are recommended for the following diseases: cardiovascular problems (high blood-pressure, varicose vein), but it is also good for skin-disease, rheumatism, chronic venereal disease and nervous disease. It is important to know, that these therapies are recommended only by the suggestion and previous state of the using program of the specialist, consultant.
About the route
Băile Tușnad / Lake Ciucaş (636 m) – Mofetta (648 m) – Entrance gate of the Falcon Stone NR (thematic path) (673 m) – hiking route:
Marking: yellow spots, informative boards.
Duration to the mofetta: 20 minutes (15 minutes of walking, 5 minutes of resting next to the boards). Time spent there: depends on the tourist/group, approx. 5-10 minutes. Duration to the entrance gate of the Falcon Stone NR: approx. 30 minutes (15 minutes of walking, 5 minutes of resting next to the boards). Duration back to the town: 10-15 minutes.
Length: 1.5 km.
Level difference: 42 m.
Grade: 2.1%.
Easy route, recommended for everyone.