Bicaz Pass & Bicaz Lake (DN12C + DN15)
DN12C, the road that connects Gheorghieni to Bicaz, is a stunning mountain route known for its dramatic landscapes. It carves a path through the Eastern Carpathians, offering a journey through breathtaking gorges and lush forests, with the iconic Lacul Roșu and Cheile Bicazului as its main atrractions.
Information
- 8Open all year
- Asphalt quality: 7.5/10 ( 5/10 + 9/10)
- Scenery: 8/10
- Distance: 10/10 ( around 100 km)
- Traffic 8/10*
- Winding: 10/10
*traffic points
1 = very heavy traffic, 10 = no traffic at all.
Warning: Gheorgheni – Lacul Roșu section: This segment has poor quality asphalt, with many potholes and bumps, especially when leaving Gheorgheni. While there are sections with newly paved asphalt, they alternate with damaged areas. Motorcyclists and car drivers should drive with extra caution. Lacul Rosu – Bicaz has aceptable asphalt quality, while Bicaz – Poiana Largului (DN15) has excelent quality asphalt
Twisted Points:
Route
West to East: Gheorghieni – Bicaz – Poiana Teiului
Quick Tips
- Cheile Bicazului (Bicaz Gorges): This is the most famous part of the route, a spectacular canyon carved by the Bicaz River. The road winds through towering rock walls that can reach hundreds of meters in height, creating a truly impressive natural wonder.
- Lacul Roșu (Red Lake): Located just before the Bicaz Gorges, this natural barrier lake is a unique sight. Its name comes from the reddish clay that colors the water, and the petrified tree stumps that emerge from the lake’s surface give it a mysterious, otherworldly appearance.
- Bicaz Lake, officially known as Lake Izvorul Muntelui, is the largest artificial lake in Romania. It was created by the construction of the Bicaz Dam, an impressive structure completed in 1960 on the Bistrița River. The lake’s main purpose was to serve as a source for the Stejaru hydroelectric power plant, but it has also become a major tourist attraction.