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Colibița Lake

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Colibița Lake (Romania)

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Colibița Lake is an artificial reservoir located in the Căliman Mountains in Bistrița-Năsăud County, often referred to as the 'Sea in the Mountains'. The lake was created by building a dam on the Bistrița River between 1977 and 1991, which required the evacuation and flooding of the original village of Colibița, later rebuilt on the shores. Spanning approximately 270 hectares, the lake is situated at an altitude of about 900 meters and is surrounded by dense forests. A unique feature of the region is its exceptionally clean air, with an ozone concentration comparable to that found in the Alps, which earned it the status of a health resort as early as the 19th century. Today, the lake is a popular destination for water sports such as kayaking and windsurfing, as well as for hiking in the surrounding peaks. The tourist infrastructure has developed rapidly in recent years, with maintaining water quality being a key challenge for local authorities.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-6-417121618181372-4
Rain mm3839485593113997758564343

📋 Practical info

📍
Address
Sat Colibița, 427007 Bistrița-Bârgăului, Bistrița-Năsăud
🕒
Hours
24/7
💶
Entry
free (many lake accesses via private properties)
🚌
Transit
Bus from Bistrița to Bistrița-Bârgăului, then local transport
🅿️
Parking
Parking options at guesthouses or public beach sections
♿
Accessibility
Promenades partly paved; boat piers mostly via stairs
📷
Photos
Allowed; drone footage shows the shape of the reservoir best
⭐
Best time
Early morning for mirror-like water and misty atmosphere

Geography

Coordinates
47.18300, 24.85000

Facts

  • The lake covers an area of approximately 270 hectares
  • Construction of the dam took place between 1977 and 1991
  • The water surface is located at an altitude of about 900 meters
  • The ozone concentration in the air is among the highest in Romania
  • The ruins of the old village of Colibița lie at the bottom of the lake
  • The surrounding area belongs geographically to the Căliman Mountains

Explore nearby

Notable places around

📍Feldru22 km · NWExplore →
Christmas CarolingChristmas Caroling23 km · SEExplore →
Sângeorz-BăiSângeorz-Băi24 km · NWExplore →
📍Maieru25 km · NExplore →
📍Rodna27 km · NExplore →
BistrițaBistrița27 km · WExplore →
Călimani National ParkCălimani National Park28 km · EExplore →
Răcu PeakRăcu Peak29 km · EExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called the 'Sea in the Mountains'?
Because of its large water surface amidst the Călimani Mountains and its ozone-rich, healing air.
Can you swim in the lake?
Yes, in summer swimming is possible at designated beaches and private pontoons.
Are there water sports activities?
Kayaks, rowing boats, and pedal boats can be rented. Motorboats are limited to preserve the peace.
How do you get to Colibița?
Via the DN17 road, about 50 km from Bistrița, through Prundu Bârgăului.
Is the lake natural?
No, it is a reservoir created in the 1970s, a process that required the relocation of the old village.
Colibița Lake: where is it located?
Colibița Lake is located in Bistrița-Năsăud, Romania.
Colibița Lake: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Colibița Lake: why is it worth visiting?
Colibița Lake is an artificial reservoir located in the Căliman Mountains in Bistrița-Năsăud County, often referred to as the 'Sea in the Mountains'.
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Nearby cities

Bistrița — Colibița Lake (Romania)
Bistrița
Historic city in Transylvania.
Beclean — Colibița Lake (Romania)
Beclean
Important transport hub.
Năsăud — Colibița Lake (Romania)
Năsăud
City of scholars.
Sângeorz-Băi — Colibița Lake (Romania)
Sângeorz-Băi
Spa town with mineral springs.
Maieru — Colibița Lake (Romania)
Maieru
Maieru is a prominent commune in northern Bistrița-Năsăud County, beautifully situated along the upper valley of the Someșul Mare River.
Feldru — Colibița Lake (Romania)
Feldru
Feldru is a large and historically significant settlement located in the Someșul Mare valley of Bistrița-Năsăud County.
Rodna — Colibița Lake (Romania)
Rodna
Rodna, located in the northern reaches of Bistrița-Năsăud County, is one of the most historically significant mountain settlements in the…

History & landmarks

Rodna Mountains National Park — Colibița Lake (Romania)
Rodna Mountains National Park
Highest mountains of the Eastern Carpathians.

Nature

Someșul Mare River — Colibița Lake (Romania)
Someșul Mare River
An important northern river originating in the Rodna Mountains.
Pietrosul Rodnei Peak — Colibița Lake (Romania)
Pietrosul Rodnei Peak
Pietrosul Rodnei Peak is the highest mountain in the Eastern Carpathians.
Țibleș Peak — Colibița Lake (Romania)
Țibleș Peak
Țibleș Peak is the highest point in the Țibleș Mountains in northern Romania.

More places

Bistrița Fortress Walls — Colibița Lake (Romania)
Bistrița Fortress Walls
Remains of the medieval fortifications of the city of Bistrița, which originally featured 18 towers and strong walls.
Leoni Bistrița — Colibița Lake (Romania)
Leoni Bistrița
Specialized in wiring systems for major global car manufacturers.
Călimani Mountains — Colibița Lake (Romania)
Călimani Mountains
The Călimani Mountains are an extinct volcanic massif in the Eastern Carpathians.
Vaser Valley — Colibița Lake (Romania)
Vaser Valley
Vaser Valley is located in the Maramureș Mountains near the Ukrainian border.