Poiana Ruscă: lakes, gorges and furnaces
Cincis Lake, the Cerna Gorge and the Govăjdia Blast Furnace, over a weekend in the Poiana Ruscă Mountains, with Hunedoara as a base.
Poiana Ruscă is best explored from Hunedoara. Day one alternates water (Cincis Lake) with the gorge scenery of the Cerna valley, while day two links the ironworking tradition at Govăjdia with Corvin Castle in town.
Day 1 — Water and gorges
- Lake Cinciș Reservoir lake · Teliucu Inferior
A reservoir lake near Hunedoara, with beaches, fishing and one of Transylvania's largest artificial water surfaces.
- Cerna Gorge Nature reserve · Poiana Ruscă Mountains
A 2 ha gorge cut by the Cerna river through the crystalline schists of the Poiana Ruscă Mountains.
- Hunedoara – Lake Cinciș – Cerna Gorge trail optional Mountain hiking · Poiana Ruscă Mountains
A multi-day route through the Poiana Ruscă Mountains, starting right in downtown Hunedoara.
Duration: 18–20 hours (2–3 days)
Day 2 — Iron and a castle
- Govăjdia Blast Furnace Historic industrial site · Hunedoara
A furnace from 1810, Europe's first continuous-flow blast furnace — a relic of the iron-making tradition that grew into industrial Hunedoara.
- Corvin Castle Medieval castle · Hunedoara
The Knights' Hall, the Diet Hall and a well dug by Turkish prisoners — the details behind Romania's most visited castle.
- Hunedoara – Lake Cinciș – Rusca Peak trail optional Mountain hiking · Poiana Ruscă Mountains
A marked trail from Hunedoara up to Rusca Peak, the highest point of the massif bearing its name.
Duration: 14–16 hours
Where to eat or stay
- Pensiunea La Fontaine Accommodation · Hunedoara
- Curtea Veche Hotel & restaurant · Hunedoara
- Eden by Werk Restaurant · Hunedoara
Mountain hikes: check the forecast and trail conditions, start early and tell someone your route. Salvamont Hunedoara: 0725 826 668.
The itineraries are indicative and only use the information in the guide. They do not include distances or travel times between stops. Check opening hours and prices before you go.