Held in the hollow of the hand, by the mane-wooded mountains, Red Lake, especially in summer time, takes you with the thought at the famous Scottish lakes. Through the foggy curtain, everything seems dead, but the trout multitude confirms that under water glistening, life boils as on the surface. Better than one century and half ago, in the heart of the mountains between Ardeal and Moldova appeared one of Carpathian jewels: The Red Lake. After a while a road through the unbeatable stone was dug: Bicaz Gorges. This area is present among all tourist routes that cross the Oriental Carpathians.

In reality, the Red Lake is a natural dam, formed after land slides provoked by massive rains in 1837, which blocked the valley to junction with important debit rivers (Rosu, Oilor and Suhard). The water mirror is still (after better than one century and half) impelled with petrified tree stumps, remainder of the old flooded forest, which actually gives the charm and originality of the lake. The Red Lake deserves to be seen in any season, though practically only three periods are recommended. In summer, early morning, in the clear days, when the lake seems to boil because of the foggy mist 20 cm to 2 meters thickness, moving along the surface (a boat at that hour, makes all the money!!); end of September - beginning October, when the autumn yellow-rusty colors the summer green dominant landscape; and in the winter, when you can walk without any risk on the lake wide surface, especially where the ice is supported by the tree stumps. If you have the luck to have the snow swept away, you can be for one hour the masters of a whole natural skating rink. But the summer still remains the most appropriate. Arriving from Gheorgheni you have the possibility to climb and descend the mountain slope passing through the spread valleys at the base, until up, on the peak, through the shady tree forest.

Arrived there you can park the car and descend, either to have lunch, or to stretch your blankets to get tanned, either have a walk with the boat, or to fish for trout. On the other side of the lake the forest is denser, and you can find a lot of raspberry if you know where to look.

The tourist routes, departing from here, can be easier (until Suhardul Mic peak and Ucigasul) or harder (until Ceahlau, Hasmasu mare or Piatra Singuratica). You can wonder the canyons: Bicaz Gorges, Bicajel, Duruitoare, Lapos, Sugau Gorges. "Mountain Bike" routes: practically all the valleys have forest roads that end in peak routes. There are longer routes until Hagota Tulghes, Trei Fantani etc. Hiking is also possible, considering there are over 25 routes in limestone, with various angles and difficulty levels.