Lake Bolboci: Adventure and Relaxation in Nature

Often called the “Sea of the Bucegi Mountains,” Lake Bolboci is one of the most spectacular natural attractions in the Bucegi Massif: a vast, shimmering turquoise body of water, bordered by evergreen forests and overlooked by majestic mountain ridges.

Located in the heart of the Bucegi Natural Park, the lake can be visited year-round. From here, you can set out on hikes or mountain biking trips along marked trails leading to Lake Scropoasa, the Peștera–Padina area (where you can visit Ialomicioara Cave, also known as Ialomița Cave, with its well-known monastery), or the Babele Chalet.

If you’re traveling by car, we recommend the Babelor Road (DJ713, also known as Transbucegi). This paved route passes nearby and offers stunning views throughout its course between Sinaia and the Babele Chalet.

About Lake Bolboci

Lake Bolboci is an artificial reservoir created in the 1980s through the construction of the Bolboci Dam on the Ialomița River, at an altitude of 1,438 meters. The lake is fed by several rivers—Blana, Nucet, Bolboci, and Plaiul Mircii—and supplies drinking water to the city of Târgoviște, with a total volume of approximately 17 million cubic meters.

On the lake’s shore you’ll find the Bolboci Chalet, which features a restaurant and a spacious terrace with stunning views. The original structure was built in 1928 by the Schiel brothers, owners of the paper factory in Bușteni, who were harvesting spruce forests along the Ialomița Valley. At the time, the building could only be used in summer, as it had just a thin shingle roof and a wood-burning stove. In 1971, the chalet was expanded and adapted for year-round use. Since then, it has been modernized and now offers guesthouse-style accommodations. Camping spots are also available near the chalet.

Location – Lake Bolboci

Lake Bolboci is located on the border between Dâmbovița and Prahova counties, within the protected area of the Bucegi Natural Park, at an altitude of approximately 1,480 meters. It lies about 30 km from Pietroșița, 15 or 24 km from Sinaia (depending on the route), and roughly 10 km from Ialomicioara Cave.

How to Get to Lake Bolboci

Access to Lake Bolboci is available via DN71 (Sinaia–Târgoviște), with two main route options:

• From Moroeni – a 25 km route that is accessible year-round
• Via the Dichiu Saddle – a 22 km route that is passable only in summer (reaching a maximum altitude of 1,954 meters).

To reach Lake Bolboci from the commune of Bran, Brașov County, you have two main options. In the warmer months, you can follow a scenic 90 km drive (about 2 hours and 30 minutes) via Bran – Râșnov – Bușteni – Sinaia – DJ713 (Transbucegi) – Dichiu Chalet – Lake Bolboci. This route offers stunning mountain views but is only accessible when the Transbucegi road is open. During the colder months or when weather conditions are unfavorable, take the year-round accessible route through Moroeni: Bran – Râșnov – Brașov – Ploiești – Târgoviște – Moroeni – Lake Bolboci, which is about 110 km and also takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes by car.

Things to Do Around Lake Bolboci

First and foremost, Lake Bolboci is a great starting point for hikes, which we’ll detail further below.

The entire area has a unique natural charm, still largely untouched by human development. So, even if you’re not in the mood for hiking, you can simply stroll along the lakeshore, take in the surrounding scenery, and watch the shimmering turquoise water change shades throughout the day.

You’ll definitely want to take photos. The local flora is stunning in any season, the mountains mirrored in the lake create picture-perfect scenes, and the ever-changing clouds lend the landscape either a dreamy or dramatic atmosphere.

In summer, some nearby riding centers offer horseback tours around the lake, and in winter, sleigh rides. If there’s snow, you can also go cross-country skiing or sledding on nearby slopes. Depending on the season, fishing is allowed in Lake Bolboci—but make sure you have a valid permit and follow the regulations.

If you want to stay close to the lake, you can camp in one of the designated areas or find accommodation at the Bolboci Chalet.

Zănoagei Gorge

Zănoagei Gorge stretches for nearly 2 km and is part of the Zănoaga Nature Reserve. The dramatic landscape is shaped by limestone cliffs arranged along the various levels of the Ialomița River. Here, you can admire towering 200-meter rock walls that block sunlight from reaching the riverbed, picturesque waterfalls, and rich, diverse vegetation.

The area also features the Cheile Zănoagei campground, which is accessible by car. From there, you can take an easy 3-hour round-trip hike (including breaks for rest and photos) along the route: Zănoagei Gorge – Lake Scropoasa – 7 Springs Waterfall – and back. Be sure to plan for extended pauses—these landscapes are truly breathtaking, and you’ll definitely want to share them with friends on Facebook and Instagram.

7 Springs Waterfall

As its name suggests, the 7 Springs Waterfall gathers water from seven different springs. According to legend, Zamolxe—the ancient Dacian deity—was the first to drink from these waters, which turned the place into a sacred site. Today, the waterfall is believed to have the purest water in Romania, and even in all of Europe. Some theories suggest that this exceptional purity is due to the water flowing through a silver deposit or a magnetic field before emerging from the mountain.

The waterfall has a flow rate of about 400 liters per second and is well worth visiting, both for the beauty of the surrounding landscape and the springs themselves, which continue to inspire local legends.

Note: Don’t confuse this location with another area named “Șapte Izvoare” in the commune of Merișani, Argeș County—they are distinct places.

Tătarului Gorge

Tătarului Gorge is a nationally protected area covering 144.3 hectares, located between the Padina Plateau and Lake Bolboci, at an average altitude of 1,800 meters. The reserve is notable for its characteristic flora and fauna specific to the eastern region of the Southern Carpathians.

If you plan to visit Tătarului Gorge, it’s important to check the water level beforehand. The trail along the right side of Lake Bolboci offers more scenic views, but during periods of high water flow, the valleys can turn into temporary lakes, making them impassable and forcing detours upstream. There’s only one bridge across the Tătarului Valley, so that route is generally the safest. Alternatively, there is a higher-altitude forest road, which is longer as it winds through the woods, but can serve as a backup if lower trails are flooded.

Hiking Trails from Lake Bolboci

For an easy hike on low-difficulty trails, you can choose any of the following nearby destinations:

• Tătarului Gorge
• Zănoagei Mari Gorge
• Lake Scropoasa
• 7 Springs Waterfall
• Bear’s Cave (Grota Ursului)
• Orzei Gorge
• Ialomicioara (or Ialomița) Cave and Monastery
• Doamnele Waterfall.

If you’re up for a more challenging hike, you can head upstream along the Ialomița Valley toward Omu Peak, or take the route through Horoabei Canyon toward Strunga Saddle to reach Tătaru Peak, or visit the Sphinx, Babele, and the Heroes’ Cross on the Caraiman.

The Horoabei Canyon route is stunning but difficult and unmarked. It’s highly recommended to do this trail in a group, accompanied by a certified mountain guide who can install safety ropes where needed.

Important: For hiking routes, don’t rely on Google Maps—use the Munții Noștri app instead. Google Maps is only reliable for paved roads.

Where to Stay? Choose Transylvanian Inn to Complete Your Mountain Experience with Comfort and Stunning Views

If you’re planning to visit Lake Bolboci or explore the Brașov area, staying at Transylvanian Inn can be an excellent choice. Located in the village of Predeluț, part of Bran commune, the villa offers comfortable rooms with balconies that open up to breathtaking views of Bran Castle, Râșnov Fortress, and the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului mountains.

From Transylvanian Inn to Bolboci Chalet, the drive takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. This makes it perfect for a memorable day trip: start your morning with a delicious included breakfast, drive to Lake Bolboci and explore the area at your own pace, then return in the evening for a great dinner and a glass of wine—either on the terrace with scenic views or in the cozy library with panoramic windows.