General

In the heart of Fagaras Mountains , at 2034 meters altitude, standing here motionless and witnessing the passage of time, is Balea Glacial Lake. Just a way of nature letting us know of what it can create: a real monument, with a surface of 320 hectares, 360 meters broad and 11 meters deep, breathtaking landscape. Since 1932, the lake and about 200 hectares of land around it were declared scientific reservation. In 2006, the first ice hotel in Eastern Europe was built in the lake's surroundings. Since then, it is built every year and it became very famous. The Balea Lake Chalet offers accommodation possibilities right near the lake. There are also other places to stay in the area, and camping places, but reservations must be done in advance.
In you visit the lake during summer, don't forget do pack thick clothes; you are still in the mountains and the temperature will be around 10 degrees Celsius. Don't be surprised if during a boat ride on the lake, you will spot some snow in the surroundings, it is not unusual.
In the winter time, if you are a passionate skier or border, this is the place for you. Different contests are organized here, for beginners and the advanced once. Usually, in March, there is an ice climbing and dry tooling contest, the biggest of the kind in Romania. Every year, in the first days of July, a very unusual festival takes place here, The Snow Summer Festival, with different sports events and concerts. Many sport celebrities take part or just come here to enjoy the show.
Balea Waterfall, the biggest in Romania, is situated at more than 1200 meters altitude and the water falls from 68 meters.