The Falcon Stone Nature Reserve (1 ha) is located near the town Tusnad Spa and this area belongs to the volcanic chain of South Harghita and it is located on the east slope of the Piliske volcanic cone (858 m) with tower-shaped andesite protrusions which rise 50-60 meter above the surface. The vegetation is formed from deciduous and coniferous trees too. One of the most representative protected plant of the reserve is the Hawkweed specie (Hieracium telekianum), which is a local endemism. You can read informations about the flora, fauna, geology and all the features of the area if you visit the nature trail of the reserve.

Topics of the information boards of the nature trail:
1-2. General presentation of the Falcon Stone Nature Reserve
3. Gate: the management plan and internal regulations of the Falcon Stone Rature Reserve
4. The natural setting of the reserve / Geology and geomorphology / Climate and hydrography
5. The stream and its surroundings / Always follow the mark!
6. Order in disorder / Always green!
7. Evergreen trills / The eyes of the night
8. The voice of the mixed forest / Reptiles and amphibians
9. The wounds of the nature / Life after death
10. Reverse stratification / Colorful autumn leaves
11. The voice of the deciduous forest / Mammals
12. The brown giant / The vegetation of the Falcon Stone
13. The view from the Falcon Stone

About the route

Getting through the bridge near the Ciucaș Lake, which lies above the Olt River, the road divides. Towards the right side 2 informative boards are standing and the red triangle shows the way to the Falcon Stone. Along the forest path the mark shows the way through the Raven Brook and through 10 serpentines to the peak of the Falcon Stone. After aprox. 50 minutes of walk we arrive behind a smaller rock, which is situated at the south end of the Falcon Stone. This smaller rock is a secondary viewing point which is reached after climing up a 10 m steep slope. The path should be continued towards north for a 5 minutes to reach the peak, the main point of belvedere, where a wooden cross stands and we can admire the view of Băile Tușnad, the valley of the River Olt and the Ciomad Mountain. Băile Tușnad is the most important resort in Harghita county, proclaimed as a town in 1968 he became the only town in the Lower Ciuc Basin and the smallest from the country. The town can be seen almost entirely, crossed by the Olt River. In the center of the city is the Ciucaș Lake, which was formed artificially, of which water is captured from Miner Creek. At southwest is the Raven Peak (1134), at north the Ulieș Peak (1142 m) and at west the Great Pilișca (1374 m). Opposite the reservation, eastward is the Surduc Peak (1199 m), southward from Surduc is the Comloș Peak (1269 m) and at north from Surduc is the Fortress Peak (1079 m), there were found traces from Iron Age (it was an observation site). The peaks opposite the Falcon Stone belongs to the Ciomad Mountain. Closer to the city at 763 m altitude is the Apor Bastion and north from the bastion is the Ludmilla hill. On the right side, southward is the Bixad Basin with the nearest settlement, Bixad village. On the left side, northward is the limit of the Lower Ciuc Basin, the Tușnad Defile and the nearest settlement in the north direction, Tușnadul Nou.

Băile Tușnad / Lake Ciucaş (636 m) – Falcon Stone (thematic path) (858 m) – hiking route:
Marking: red triangle.
Duration from to town to the peak/cross: 1 h (45 minutes of hiking, 15 minutes of resting). Time spent there: depends on the tourist/group, approx. 15-20 minutes. Duration back to the town: approx. 30 minutes.
Length: 1.4 km.
Level difference: 222 m.
Grade: 15.3%.
The route is recommended for trained tourists with proper physical condition. It is contraindicated for heart patients suffering from diseases of the circulatory system and respiratory diseases, rheumatic or other diseases of the joints or cartilages.