Cheile Bicazului și Lacul Roșu, Nature reserve in Eastern Carpathians Mountains, Romania.
This nature reserve combines a deep gorge with a red-tinted lake landscape where limestone cliffs rise over several hundred meters above the valley floor. The area spans through the Eastern Carpathians and brings together dramatic elevation changes with several natural bodies of water.
A major earthquake in the 19th century triggered a landslide that blocked the river flow and created the distinctive red-tinted body of water. This natural event permanently shaped the character of the area.
The gorge carries names given by local people that reflect their sense of awe toward the landscape. Such names as Hell's Throat show how residents have woven these places into their daily language and stories.
The area is best explored on foot, with several marked trails connecting different viewpoints throughout the reserve. Visitors should prepare for changing weather conditions and wear sturdy footwear, as paths traverse rugged terrain.
Tree trunks protrude from the water, remnants of forest that was submerged when the natural dam formed in the 19th century. These weathered wooden remains create an unusual visual feature set amid the water's expanse.
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