Lacul Tarnița

Lake Tarnița, on the Someșul Cald river in Cluj County, some 30 kilometres from Cluj-Napoca, is a reservoir created in the mid-20th century by building a hydroelectric concrete-arch dam. Framed by the wooded slopes of the Apuseni Mountains, the lake has an elongated, winding shape that follows the old river valley, with little coves and rocky shores mirrored in the greenish water. Close to the city yet with an air of wilderness, Tarnița has become one of the most popular weekend destinations for the people of Cluj, valued for water sports, jet-skiing, boat trips, fishing and the guesthouses perched on its banks.

The view of the dam and the forest-ringed sheet of water is spectacular above all in autumn, when the slopes turn colour. Practical note: the access road is narrow and winding, so plan your trip to avoid the peak hours of a busy weekend.