Sowata: Salt Lakes, Trails and Culture

Lacul Ursu is the largest heliothermal salt lake in the world and was formed between 1875 and 1880 through the gradual dissolution of the salt deposit and the subsequent collapse of the terrain. Lacul Mierlei is Sowata’s youngest salt lake and was formed in a salt sinkhole. The artificial Lacul Tivoli was created in 1975 and 1976 at the foot of Muntele Cireșelu.

Nature and Trails

The Salt Eco Educational Trail was created to showcase the special features of Sowata’s salt lakes, salt mountains and wetland habitats. It starts at Lacul Ursu, passes Lacul Șerpilor, Lacul Mierlei and Muntele de Sare, reaches Lacul Aluniș and returns to Lacul Ursu. The Ursu Eco Educational Trail circles Lacul Paraschiva, passes through a clearing and sinkholes in the deciduous forest and then returns to Lacul Ursu. To help visitors cross and observe the terrain, this trail features stairways with handrails, rest areas, a covered viewpoint and a forest school.

There is also a designated running track around Lacul Ursu. The Western Tourist Promenade also starts at Lacul Ursu and leads over wooded hills to the boundary of the protected area, to a viewpoint overlooking the Verde and Roșu lakes, and through sinkholes in the salt mountain. Aleea Tivoli is a 600-metre-long path from Lacul Ursu to Lacul Tivoli and takes about 20 minutes. A short hiking route from Lacul Ursu via Lacul Tineretului and Grota ursului to Vârful Cireșelu is listed as taking one hour. The one-hour circular “Relaxing Walk in Sovata” is a self-guided route through the old town. The different trail lengths and time estimates can be compared directly for planning your own day.

Water and Activities

Valea Sărată can be reached via the western promenade of Drumul Sării. There, visitors use the small saltwater pools as bathing spots for one or two people. Swimming is possible at the beach facilities on Lakes Ursu, Aluniș and Negru. During the season, visitors can rent boats and pedal boats at Lacul Tivoli. Lacul Tivoli can be reached by car or on foot from the area around Lacul Ursu; Adrenalin Plus adventure park is located directly beside the lake.

Near Piroska Lake there is a barefoot trail with various surfaces intended to stimulate the reflex points on the soles of the feet while walking. Sowata’s ski slope has a 500-metre chairlift and a 200-metre ski lift for beginners. On off-road trips around Sowata, visitors explore the surrounding hills and mountains in off-road vehicles with experienced drivers.

At Amenus Equestrian Centre, visitors can take riding lessons and attend riding camps; the centre also offers archery. Amenus Adventure Farm offers children and adults encounters with domestic animals and other animal species. The Mocănița travels the 30-kilometre route between Sowata and Câmpu Cetății in two hours and operates seasonally from spring to autumn.

Other Places

Other places to compare: Curteni, Săcalu De Pădure, Lunca Bradului, Corunca, Weichseldorf, Weissenkirch, Rohrdachen, Maia.

Culture and Local History

The Kusztos-Endre Memorial House is the only art gallery in Sowata and displays the artist’s well-known charcoal drawings. The Roman Catholic “Sacred Heart” Chapel was completed in 1939 and features an aragonite altar and stained-glass windows. The “Géra” salt spring commemorates the former spring that supplied water to the first salt-bath facility in the Lower Station.

Local and regional artists perform during the summer cultural programmes on the stage in Petőfi Park. The programmes include light-music concerts featuring artists from Hungary and Romania. Typical dishes and drinks from the microregion can be sampled in the restaurants of the Sowata resort and the microregion.

To the higher-level travel overview: Mures.