The Igniș – Mara Trail
An ambitious, adventurous trail, but as nice as can be. It has everything: villages, wilderness, varied and anti-boredom roads, postcard-perfect views, two protected areas, ascents and descents. Even if in the first half, you might say it's only uphill…
Our eyes will feast upon the grandeur of the mountain peaks, with the wavy landscape of the Igniș volcanic plateau; we will pass by a marsh (Iezerul Mare) which could definitely win an award in a biodiversity contest and by the andesite walls of the Tătarului Gorge. After reaching Mara, we can return to Sat Șugatag on the embankment of the former forest railway. And if we pedal on a former railway, we can choose to make a halt in Desești, a UNESCO site, or one in Hărnicești, where we meet the Rails' Trail.
Highlights
- Glorious mountain landscape
- Turbăria Iezerul Mare – protected natural area
- Cheile Tătarului – protected area, part of Natura 2000 Igniș site
- Barajul Runcu (The Runcu Dam)
- The UNESCO church in Desești (18th century)
- The old wooden churches in Hărnicești (1679) and Sat Șugatag (1699)
When, and on what terrain
The good season runs from April to October. In early spring the forest sections stay wet and muddy long after the village has dried out; in autumn, wet leaves cover the stones and make the descents slippery. In summer, start in the morning — afternoon showers are common on the slopes of Gutâi.
The trails were not built for bikes: they are forest and cart tracks, shepherds' paths, village lanes and short stretches of county road, now also used by cyclists. The surface ranges from asphalt to crushed stone and packed earth, so a mountain or gravel bike is the right choice. The waymark used in the destination is a red letter "C".
What to take
Water for the whole ride — there are no shops along the way — a spare inner tube and a pump, a basic tool kit, some food and layered clothing: the temperature drops noticeably with altitude, and the wind on the ridge feels very different from the village. A charged phone and the GPX file downloaded before you leave solve most navigation problems, as there is no signal everywhere.
Safety
Along the trail you will come across sheepfolds and shepherd dogs. If you are surrounded, stop, get off your bike and keep it between you and the dogs, speak calmly and back away slowly — don't speed up and don't shout. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.
In an emergency: 112 · Salvamont Maramureș: +40 725 826 668.
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