コバスナのおすすめウォーキング＆ハイキングルート

Anyone visiting Lake Sfânta Ana doesn't need meteorologists to predict the weather. They have an empirically proven method at their disposal, provided by the volcano itself: two cracks in the mountain that predict the weather. Locals know: "If the fumes from the cracks burn your nose, it's a sign of a thunderstorm. If not, it will be a sunny day, perfect for hiking."

Located in the Ciomatului Mare crater, Lake Sfânta Ana is the only lake of volcanic origin in Central and Eastern Europe and the most visited tourist attraction in Szeklerland. The lake is surrounded by the steep walls of the volcanic cone of Mount Ciomat, with several higher peaks. The highest is Ciomatul Mare at 1,301 meters. The lake, unique in Europe, lies at 946 meters above sea level, has a diameter of 1,737 meters, and its greatest depth is seven meters. The lake is fed exclusively by rainwater and meltwater.

The Chapel of St. Anne was first documented in 1349. The original chapel was made of wood. Legend has it that the small church was destroyed during both the Tatar and Turkish invasions. Its restoration was documented in 1562. Between 1562 and 1764, two annual festivals were celebrated: St. Anne's Day and the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Up to 30,000 pilgrims came to the Feast of St. Anne. The chapel was badly damaged during the First World War and was demolished and rebuilt in 1927. Nothing remains of the nearby St. Joachim Chapel, built in 1562.

View of the surrounding landscape, caution: grazing cows may be encountered here

Small valley floor lake

Beautiful view with fixed binoculars.

When arriving at the lake, make sure to start circumnavigating it in a counter-clockwise fashion, to make sure that the rewarding coffee and pastry hut is at the end of your walk…

A nice narrow path hugs the bank of the almost circular mountain lake. While on the eastern shore, the stalls take care of the physical well-being of the visitors and there is even a boat rental, the western shore is very quiet. A circumnavigation on this Uferweg is very worthwhile. Attention: Please do not feed bears :-)