Ciomad tour
About the Ciomad Mountains
The Ciomad Mountains are on the border of Covasna and Harghita counties. In the west it borders with the Olt valley, the Ciuc basin in the north, the Toria Mountains in the east, the Bodoc Mountains and the valley of the Jimbor stream in the south. It is the youngest volcano in the Carpathians, which explains the remaining craters. Its last volcanic cycle began 56.000 years ago and ended 32.000 years ago; a number of major explosions occurred during this time. It had been inactive for at least 40.000 years before.
In the twin craters, we can find the Mohoş Peat Bog – Saint Ana Lake Natura 2000 site which contains two natural reserves: the Mohoş Peat Bog and the Saint Ana Lake.
The Ciomad Mountains are crossed by many hiking trails, but now we describe the route from Băile Tușnad to the Mohoș Peat Bog – Saint Ana Lake, which at the three-quarters of the route turns to Cetății Peak and ends at the Vârghiş Valley.
In the twin craters, we can find the Mohoş Peat Bog – Saint Ana Lake Natura 2000 site which contains two natural reserves: the Mohoş Peat Bog and the Saint Ana Lake.
The Ciomad Mountains are crossed by many hiking trails, but now we describe the route from Băile Tușnad to the Mohoș Peat Bog – Saint Ana Lake, which at the three-quarters of the route turns to Cetății Peak and ends at the Vârghiş Valley.
About the route
Personal experiences of Loic Mary (French volunteer) and his enthusiastic team:
This is a wonderful tour in the woods. It is recommended to start at 9-10 am in the morning, so there is plenty of time to relax during the trip and return in the town before night.
– the starting point is in Băile Tușnad, in the parking lot of the Hotel Tușnad. The route continues with the Mikes and Apor mineral water springs from the back of the hotel, where you can drink mineral water and fill your bottle for the road. Then the forest route starts in a deciduous forest. In the beginning, the route has no significant level difference, but later, leaving the signpost, the ascent starts. At some point the route is steep, but it is followed by a characteristic serpentine stage;
– on the top, you can find a table and a signboard. Moving in the right direction, you can descend into the twin crater of the Mohoș Peat Bog – Saint Ana Lake. Now we turn to the left and move towards the Cetății Peak;
– this route is convenient, but not visible everywhere, so you should proceed with caution and follow the blue and white marks. After a short, traceable section, there will be an old logging route, that is already visible and traceable. At this stage, the sound of the forest can be enjoyed;
– logging side roads leads us off the main route several times, but it is important to stay on the main route and go forward;
– this route meets the path leading to Cetății Peak. If we have time, we can quickly visit the Cetății Peak, if not, we will continue our journey, which will slowly begin to descend towards a valley. We just have to follow the wheel tracks that lead down;
– we will go along with an old wild animal hide, then following the Vârghiş Valley, we arrive at the European asphalt road, where turning to the south, on our left we can walk back to the town. We do not have to go on the road, because there is a path along the road at the edge of the forest, where we safely return to the city, to the parking in front of Hotel Tușnad, where our journey started.
– the starting point is in Băile Tușnad, in the parking lot of the Hotel Tușnad. The route continues with the Mikes and Apor mineral water springs from the back of the hotel, where you can drink mineral water and fill your bottle for the road. Then the forest route starts in a deciduous forest. In the beginning, the route has no significant level difference, but later, leaving the signpost, the ascent starts. At some point the route is steep, but it is followed by a characteristic serpentine stage;
– on the top, you can find a table and a signboard. Moving in the right direction, you can descend into the twin crater of the Mohoș Peat Bog – Saint Ana Lake. Now we turn to the left and move towards the Cetății Peak;
– this route is convenient, but not visible everywhere, so you should proceed with caution and follow the blue and white marks. After a short, traceable section, there will be an old logging route, that is already visible and traceable. At this stage, the sound of the forest can be enjoyed;
– logging side roads leads us off the main route several times, but it is important to stay on the main route and go forward;
– this route meets the path leading to Cetății Peak. If we have time, we can quickly visit the Cetății Peak, if not, we will continue our journey, which will slowly begin to descend towards a valley. We just have to follow the wheel tracks that lead down;
– we will go along with an old wild animal hide, then following the Vârghiş Valley, we arrive at the European asphalt road, where turning to the south, on our left we can walk back to the town. We do not have to go on the road, because there is a path along the road at the edge of the forest, where we safely return to the city, to the parking in front of Hotel Tușnad, where our journey started.
Complexity: 2.5/5
Beauty: 5/5
Beauty: 5/5
Feedback from the group:
“Very pleasant hiking and a very nice route! I liked the sight of the Vârghiş Valley!”
“Some of the most beautiful lookout points around Băile Tușnad are here. The valley is very beautiful and the view of the high mountains and pastures is wonderful.”
“Very pleasant hiking and a very nice route! I liked the sight of the Vârghiş Valley!”
“Some of the most beautiful lookout points around Băile Tușnad are here. The valley is very beautiful and the view of the high mountains and pastures is wonderful.”
Băile Tușnad / Hotel Tușnad parking (663 m) – route marked with a red cross (max. 1200 m) – route marked by a white stripe on a blue background (1000-1200 m) – Vârghiş Valley (descending from 1000 m to 700 m) – Băile Tușnad / parking in front of the Hotel Tușnad (663 m) – hiking trail:
Marking: red cross to the signpost, then a white stripe on a blue background, then there is no sign in the Vârghiş Valley, but descending into the town, the white stripe on a blue background leads back.
Duration: 2 and a half – 3 hours (2 – 2 and a half hours of walking, 30 minutes rest).
Length: 11.5 km.
Slope: 14.8% up to the highest point and 7.2% down.
Marking: red cross to the signpost, then a white stripe on a blue background, then there is no sign in the Vârghiş Valley, but descending into the town, the white stripe on a blue background leads back.
Duration: 2 and a half – 3 hours (2 – 2 and a half hours of walking, 30 minutes rest).
Length: 11.5 km.
Slope: 14.8% up to the highest point and 7.2% down.
