The lake's name in Hungarian, Gyilkos-tó, translates to 'Killer Lake,' referencing the legend of a shepherd buried by the landslide.
The submerged pine forest remnants remain preserved in the lake due to the high mineral content of the water.
The lake's surface area fluctuates significantly based on seasonal precipitation and snowmelt from the surrounding Carpathians.
It is the largest natural mountain lake in Romania by surface area.
The formation of the lake occurred almost instantaneously after an earthquake triggered the collapse of the northern slope of Mount Ghilcoș.
Lacu Roșu is a natural barrier lake formed in 1837 following a massive landslide from the Ghilcoș mountain that blocked the Bicaz River. The debarcader serves as the primary access point for renting rowboats to explore the lake's surface. Visible just below the water's surface are the petrified trunks of ancient spruce trees that were submerged during the lake's creation. The water often appears reddish due to the iron oxides and hydroxides deposited by the surrounding limestone formations. The lake is situated within the Hășmaș Mountains at an elevation of approximately 980 meters. Its unique ecosystem supports a variety of trout and provides a calm, reflective surface surrounded by dense coniferous forests. The debarcader area serves as a focal point for visitors intending to observe the interplay between the vertical limestone cliffs and the submerged forest remnants. Current infrastructure at the site provides direct access to the water's edge for recreational boating.
From the center of the lake in a rowboat, looking toward the Suhardul Mic cliff face reflected in the water.
Bring a light jacket even in summer, as temperatures remain low due to the lake's altitude and surrounding deep shade.
Opt for a wooden rowboat rental to navigate closer to the submerged tree trunks that are inaccessible from the shore.
Visit on a weekday morning to avoid the high density of weekend visitors near the boarding area.
Avoid relying on plastic pedal boats if you want the authentic experience of navigating among the tree stumps, as rowboats offer better maneuverability.
Boating services are suspended during the winter months when the lake surface freezes.
Maintain a quiet volume to preserve the natural acoustics; refrain from touching the submerged forest remains.
