Hoteni Lakes (Tăurile de la Hoteni)
The locals call these lakes “tăuri”, but few townspeople know what this word means. The dictionary teaches that the “tău” is in fact “a shallow, stagnant water” – or, popularly, “a puddle”. The lakes of Hoteni are located near the entrance to the village, on the right as you come from Breb, and comprise three lakes and a swamp, on a total of 2,51 ha. Biologists say the lakes are eutrophic (rich in nutrients) and the swamp is oligotrophic (poor in minerals and nutrients). The water is not deep – twice the size of a man – more precisely 4 meters – and shelters, under the floating peat layer, a wealth of life forms hard to find in other wetlands.
Here are found carnivorous plants – which have survived, biologists say, the ice age – and in the two elongated lakes, whose gloss has a specific brown color, given by the 150 algae species, live fish unique in the area and, however hard to believe, freshwater turtles. In other words, a thousand reasons why the Hoteni Lakes are to be declared a reservation of scientific significance.
IF YOU NEED ADVICE, contact Greenway Tour local travel agency, which can help you with tips or even organize day trips in the reservation, depending on the activities you choose. At Greenway Tour you can also find information about several-day tours in which other types of activities can be included.
Hoteni Lakes nature reserve is accessed by the following marked trail:
- Ocna Șugatag village – Hoteni village – Hoteni Lakes – Breb village, marked by red cross. Download trail coordinates
Royal Forest (Pădurea Crăiască) – Hoteni Lakes (Tăurile de la Hoteni) Map
