Lake Saint Anne is one of the most attractive natural sights of Szeklerland. The lake was formed at the bottom of Eastern Central Europe's only intact volcanic crater, in one of the two twin craters of the Csomád Mountain, which is the southernmost massif of the Harghita Mountains. The other crater houses the Mohos Peat Bog.

Swimming in the lake has been prohibited since April 2018, except for permitted competitions and events.

How to get there:
It is located 55 km from Csíkszereda, 48 km from Sepsiszentgyörgy, and 33 km from Kézdivásárhely. By following the red cross-marked hiking trail starting from Tusnádfürdő on foot, it is about 4.5 km, which can be reached in approximately 1.5 hours. It can also be approached from the nearby settlements of Sepsibükszád and Bálványos through numerous hiking trails, ranging from easy to challenging terrains.

The area around Tusnádfürdő and Lake Saint Anne offers a variety of recreational opportunities. From above, the shape of the lake looks like a heart to some, while others think it resembles a painter's palette. It is a delightful sight in every season, suddenly appearing among the trees after about a kilometer's walk from the parking lot. Its water surface is 949 meters above sea level. It is part of the Mohos Nature Reserve.

It shows its most beautiful face in autumn. You can walk around the lake, admiring it from every angle. The foliage of the trees glows in shades of yellowish-red-orange, and as the sea of colors reflects on the water's surface, there is no visitor who is not touched by this sight. No matter how many photos we take, they can't come close to the real view. If we are here, be sure to taste the chimney cake, as the best in Transylvania is baked beside Lake Saint Anne.

In the summer beside the lake, you can picnic or go boating, and water temperatures of 24-25 degrees Celsius are not rare. The locals say that everyone should at least wash in the water – since swimming is not allowed – because this way, the fairy of the lake supposedly protects you for a whole year.

Next to the lake stands a small romantic chapel – the Saint Anne Chapel. It is still a significant pilgrimage site for the local Catholics, where the Saint Anne's Day pilgrimage is held at the end of July every year.

The sight of the lake in winter also provides an unforgettable experience. You can walk, skate, or sled on the ice of the lake, thus being in the true center of the crater, where you can enjoy the perfect silence, occasionally broken by the growling sound coming up from the depths of the massive ice.

The charm of sledding here is not just for children in winter. At Lake Saint Anne, anyone can rent a sled and try sliding down the winding, snowy path all the way to the lake. It's a lifelong experience, regardless of age. In winter, cars must be left in the parking lot, and the lake can only be approached by sled or on foot. Sled rental is available at the parking lot, and those who sled down to the lake are pulled back to the parking lot by an off-road vehicle. A sled can comfortably accommodate two people.

1. How can you get to Lake Saint Anne?
The lake can be approached from two directions, from Sepsibükszád and Kézdivásárhely. In the center of Sepsibükszád village, a sign indicates the turnoff. You need to turn towards Lacul Sfânta Ana. It is a 17.4 km solid but poor quality forest road to the lake.
From Bálványosfürdő towards the lake, it is a 13.5 km solid forest road to the lake.

2. What is the entrance fee?
There is no entrance fee, only a parking fee.
Personal car in the upper parking lot: 10 lei (1.5 km from the lake, a 15-minute walk.)
Personal car in the parking lot beside the lake: 20 lei (Directly next to the lake.)
Bus in the upper parking lot: 10 lei (1.5 km from the lake, a 15-minute walk.)
Bus in the parking lot beside the lake: 20 lei (Directly next to the lake.)

3. Opening hours
The lake is open during the season, from May to October from 9 am to 7 pm, and out of season from 9 am to 5 pm.

4. How should you behave with a bear?
Although the bear is basically not dangerous to humans, it's better to avoid encountering one. It is recommended to walk around the lake and in the forest attentively, noisily, whistling, singing, talking loudly. This way, accidental encounters can be avoided. If we still come close to a bear, we should carefully back away from it. Do not bring food among the bears.
Never feed them and do not take pictures, do not try to take a selfie with them. There is a cultured, safe way for both humans and bears to observe them. www.medveles.hu

5. Bear Watching
We definitely recommend the bear watching of world-famous nature photographer Máté Bence for tourists who want to see bears, located near the lake. It's a safe form of entertainment for both humans and bears. Spectators can see the brown bear up close in its natural environment.

6. Boating
Boating is available at Lake Saint Anne.

7. Dining options
he finest charcoal-baked chimney cake in Transylvania can be found on the shore.
At the buffet in the upper parking lot, you can buy lángos, miccs, and roasted sausage.

8. Swimming rules
Swimming in the lake has been prohibited since 2018!

9. Saint Anne Lookout
Located on the road from the upper parking lot to the lake, it can be visited for free.

10. Mohos Peat Bog near Lake Saint Anne
The entrance fee is 5 lei.
It can be visited as part of guided tours.
Schedule:
Out of season, until the end of June, weekdays every even hour from 10 am to 6 pm, weekends every hour.
During the season (July, August) every day every hour from 10 am to 6 pm.
Boat rental: 10 lei for half an hour.