Name: Szejke Bath, Szejke Gyogyfürdő / Băile Szejke
Location: Odorheiu Secuiesc / Székelyudvarhely
The Szejke Bath is the spa and recreation area of Odorheiu Secuiesc. The baths are fed by several springs. These springs are salty and bicarbonate of nature, which is rather rare outside the Salt Region. Szejke Spa area is situated in a small valley, where there are multiple other slightly salted ferruginous springs and the grave monument of Orban Balasz.
Also on site is an excellent Szekey restaurant, with only traditional local foods on the menu. The salinity of the Szejke spring confirms local sub terrain salt deposits. However, the salinity levels are nothing compared to those in the Salt Region. The Szejke Spa include two baths, showers and sunbathing facilities.
Furthermore the spa site included several additional springs and a local mineral water museum. The small museum houses a permanent exhibition of spa paraphernalia and puts on display, eastern Transylvanian villages at the height of Spa life.
The spa is just 2 kilometers north of Odorheiu Secuiesc / Székelyudvarhely on the road to Sovata.
Name: Homoród Bath, Homoródfürdő / Băile Homorod
Location: Băile Homorod / Homoródfürdő
About 18 Km east from Odorheiu Secuiesc, in the heart of the Hargita mountains we find the spa village of Homorod. In the winter it is a ski resort, but in the summer, with its cool temperatures, it is a first class spa resort. Homorod Spa boosts countless mineral springs as well as outdoor and indoor spa’s. Homoród Bath is located in the center of Băile Homorod air resort on the Trans Hargita Mountain Road.
The bath is just off the road in the beginning of the spa village. From the bath a pedestrian way takes you through Homorod. Along the way several mineral springs can be sampled.
The modern indoor Lobogo spa building of Homorod has been renovated recently. It offers several cold and warm baths as well as excellent facilities and treatments.
Name: The Salt Well of Merești, Sóskút Homoródalmás / Fântâna Sărată din Merești
Location: Meresti/ Homoródalmás
The salty water of this spring plays an important role for the village. Its waters are still very much used in preparing and conserving food such meat, lard and pickling vegetables. The locals also fill their bathtubs with it for therapeutic purposes.
The Salt Spring is situated in the middle of Meresti / Homoródalmás on Sóskút street.
Name: Dungó Spa, Dungó Feredő / Băile Dungó
Location: Crăciunel / Karácsonyfalva
Since 1911 there has been a people`s spa in Crăciunel / Karácsonyfalva. The water is a chilling 13 degrees and contains calcium, magnesium and has an elevated sodium content. According to the locals the water does wonders against liver pains.
The spa was destroyed by the powerful 1977 earthquake that wreaked havoc throughout Romania. It took until 1996 before locals could use the spa once again. The renovation was done by The Ars Topia Foundation.
Above the Dungó Bath, connected by a wooden path is a small foot bath. The footbath is a good way to get used to the cold water. If the weather isn’t so hot, the locals recommend to try the footbath first and then proceed to the bath itself, this makes it not feel so cold.
The spa is located the south-eastern corner of Crăciunel. Coming from the Trans Hargita Mountain Road and Vlăhița / Szentegyháza you simply travel through the village. Shortly after the last house, at the southern tip of the village, take the dirt road that heads east.
The dirt road is indicated by a wooden sign that reads: Dungó Feredő Fele. Follow the road for 300 meters over the Dung Hill, and you will see the spa on the right hand side.
Name: The Perl of Vlăhiţa , Szentegyháza Gyöngye Termálfürdő, Ştrand termal Perla Vlăhiţei (Majzos-fürdő / Băile Vlăhiţa)
Location: Vlăhiţa / Szentegyháza
On the high Harghita plateau amongst superb scenery we find the Perl of Vlăhiţa Spa. The area is located at 824 meters altitude and includes a camping site as well. Similar to the baths in Topliţa, this geothermal spring is lukewarm at 25 °C degrees and surprisingly clear and soft. The bath is slightly smaller than the baths in Topliţa, but nevertheless 25 by 10 meters. The maximum depth of the bath is 1.40 meters deep.
The spring was discovered in 1975 after deep soil drillings. A year later a wooden bath with similar size was constructed at the site. Nicely manicured grass around the bath with lots of space for sitting and sunbathing.
Just next to the camping site the river Vargyas flows south into the Szeltersz valley on the other side of the Trans Hargita road with the mountains in the background.
From the town of Vlăhiţa two separate hiking routes (blue dot and blue cross) will bring you to Madarasi Hargita peak, with 1800 meters altitude the highest of Szekely land.
The spa is located directly of the Trans Hargita Mountain road. About 2 kilometers east (Miercurea Ciuc direction) from the town of Vlăhiţa the spa site is on the left hand side (north of road). The spa is open from 08:00 to 22:00 in the summer months. Entrance fees are: 10 Ron for adults, 7 Ron for children under 14 years old. Children under 4 years old are free.
Name: Szeltersz Spa, Szelterszfürdő / Băile Szelters
Location: Băile Szelters / Szelterszfürdő
From Vlăhiţa Spa resort (immediately south of the Trans Hargita Mountain Road) the Vargyas river continues south into the Szelters valley, which counts a bewildering number of different springs. The valley has a very mild microclimate and is very sunny. It is obvious that this area was formed by volcanoes, the rocks are made of a glasslike texture and orange ferruginous springs can be seen nearly everywhere. Bring some bottles the water is lovely.
Szelters Spa is located in a small and densely forested valley just 400 meters south of the Perl of Vlăhiţa Spa.
Name: Nadasszéki Bath, Nadasszéki Gyogyfürdő/ Băile Nadasszeki
Location: Băile Szelters / Szeltersfürdő
A few kilometers south from Szeltersz Spa we stumble upon this gem of a spa. Nadasszéki Spa is properly maintained by locals which even have fitted an external boiler to heat up the bath in the cold season. In the summer months water temperatures hoovers around 12 to 14 degrees. This is the only public bath in Szelyland that has a functioning boiler. The water in the spa is usually heated up to 30 to 33 degrees.
The Nadasszéki area is home to alkaline, ferruginous, chlorine, carbon dioxide and magnesium holding water. Also the spring is much saltier then the springs at Szelters Spa. The water contains very little iron and sulfur. The Szeltersz valley eventually ends the Vargyas Gorge (Vargyas-Szoros / Surducul Vârghişului). The gorge is a spectacular hidden world of colossal jagged walls, caves water rapids. Furthermore, Vlahita Spa, Szeltersz Spa and Kings Spa are all at walking distance. In other words: this is prime hiking territory not to be missed.
Name: The Kings Spa, Kirulyfürdő/ Băile Chirui
Location: Băile Chirui / Kirulyfürdő
Now a logging hamlet, Kings Spa was an elegant spa location back in the days. Nevertheless, the Kiruly valley is literary overflowing with water. The river at Kiruly comes from an old sulfur mine in the village of Hargita Spa further up into the mountains. The abandoned mine has tainted the water with its distinct orange color. In and around the Kings Spa there are outstanding mineral springs to be found.
The hamlet is reached easiest from the Trans Hargita Mountain Road. If you are already at Szeltersz Spa or Nadasszéki Bath then it is just two kilometers east on an asphalted road. However, if you come from Miercurea Ciuc / Csíkszereda on the main road you pass by several interesting sites on the way. It is about four kilometers from the Trans Hargita Mountain Road to the Kings Spa, but after two km you will see a small clearing with a mineral spring. That is Festő spring.
In early spring the meadow is full with colorful and often endangered plants species. Furthermore the vertical rock face where the sulfer river flows through is also rather impressive.
From here you simply get back on the road following the orange river. Shortly before you reach the Kings Spa on the right side before the bridge a deep well is see. This geysering well erupts for several minutes or hours every few days. It is very unpredictable, but you might just see it!
Name: Hargita Air and Spa Resort, Hargitafürdő/ Harghita-Băi
Location: Harghita-Băi / Hargitafürdő
The Hargita Air and Spa Resort is Szekely land’s most developed mountain resort. It used to be a sulfur mining hamlet. Volcanic activity on this spot have left the mountains saturated with Sulfur. The mountain village lies at 1315 meters altitude, therefore the climate is very pleasant in the summer and in the winter time snow is guaranteed.
Hargita Spa has several superb baths, many delicious springs, a mofetta (gas bath), stunning nature and lovely pensions. It is popular with hikers in the summer and skiers in the winter. The spa is approached through a six kilometers mountain road from the Tolvajos pass (985) at the Trans Hargita Road, about fifteen kilometers from Miercurea Ciuc. The village arises from the forests at the Sulfur lake.
Hargita Gas Bath, Mofetta Hargita/ Mofeta Harghita
The mofetta building of Hargita resort confirms that the mountains are still bustling with post-volcanic activity. The mofetta is located in the clearing above the Vallató spa and exploits two separate gas sources. Upon entering the building a wall of sulfur hits you. Give yourself a few minutes to become accustomed to the aroma stinging your nostrils and eyes. In the back of the building a smaller, less powerful gas pit is housed. The more powerful and warmer gas source is situated in the front. Depending on the weather conditions the intensity of gas emissions can differ significantly. On rainy days the gas level in the pits are lower and the temperature is reduced. This has to do with the fact that gas has to travel through soil saturated in rain water, consequently the gas losses some of its strength. Dry spells of several days produce the most powerful gasses.
The gas is composed of 94% Carbon dioxide and only 1.3% oxygen. It is contained in a gas pit, in which you stand or sit. The gas is heavier than oxygen, as a result the gas collects in the pit. In every pit has an oxygen-gas line where the two meet. The line is often marked by an indicator of some sort. Under the line no oxygen is present. Never go below this line. The gas behaves just as liquid water would. For this reason it is important not to make brisk movements, this could disturb the gas level and cause it to sway up leaving you without oxygen temporary. If this happens or you start to feel nauseous, leave the pit immediately. Nonetheless it is a tremendous experience, after about three minutes your legs start to tingle and after five minutes it feels like they are slightly on fire. For first timers five minutes inside the pit is more then enough. Thirty minutes must never be exceeded. The gas smoothens the blood circulation. Three to six week treatments are prescribed for long term improvement of the blood flow.
The mofetta is openly daily from 08:00 till 18:00. A one time entry costs 6 Ron per person.
Vallató Bath, Vallatófürdő / Vallató-Băi
The Vallato Bath is situated in the lower part of the resort in an open field next to the camping. Surrounded by old growth Spruce trees and raspberry bushes the spa is a lovely place to be. The water contains mostly Calcium, Magnesium and Iron. Surprisingly it doesn’t contains much sulfur, that is found only in the upper parts of the village. Mind you, the water is a chillingly 7.5 degrees. However an arctic dip can be excellently combined with the warm Mofetta, it is just 50 meters up the path.
Lobogó Bath, Lobogó Medence/ Lobogo-Băi
In contrast to the Vallató spring, this spa is characterized by both water and gas emissions at the same location. It is in fact a natural Jacuzzi, hence the brown color of perpetually disturbed soil and minerals. The water temperature is noticeably warmer then other springs in the village.
The spa is rather hidden in the forest in a thick raspberry under-story, but it can be seen from the road behind the Mofetta close to the roman catholic church. Up the steps from the bath is the lovely Szemvíz spring with its ice-cold ferruginous water.
Bears frequent this part of the village very often. The combination of juicy raspberries and a bath is irresistible to them as well. It is not advisable to wander around at summer sunsets, this is perfect bear habitat.
In the southern end of the village two former open sulfur mines lay abandoned. Although the mines are strictly off limits and can be dangerous, you can still see them from the forest edges. It is quite a large area dotted with sulfur dunes. The silence and strong sulfur smells makes it feel rather other worldly.
The upper part is dry and barren, but towards the bottom part it is boggy with a small lake. The bottom area is particularly interesting, here much of the ground is covered with a layer of soft moss and grass where even some trees have taken root. All very alien looking.
The village of Harghita-Băi / Hargitafürdő is located fifteen kilometers north-west of Miercurea Ciuc. It is connected by a good road from the Tolvajos pass of the Trans Hargita Mountain road.
transylvaniaspaguide 
Frumos materialul și scris cu suflet. Aș vrea să fac unele comentarii care să completeze sau să modifice unele date:
1. Băile Szejke conțin și hidrocarburi. Din una din sondele săpate chiar lângă drum a curs mulți ani apă sărată și cu emanații de gaze naturale a cărăr miros se simțea de departe. În plus, sunt și carbogazoase cu conținuturi de 0,21 g/l CO2.
2. Băile Homorod nu sunt chiar în inima Munților Harghita ci, mai curând, la marginea flancului vestic al acestora. În inima Munților Harghita, chiar în zona de creastă, sunt Băile Harghita.
3. Izvoarele minerale de la Băile Dungo au depus roci carbonatice de tipul travertinului, deschise bine într-o carieră mică înainte de băi și care apar chiar și în șanțul drumului sau sub formă de fragmente în zona băilor.
4. La strandul Perla Vlăhiței nu este vorba de un izvor care a fost descoperit prin săparea unei sonde ci este vorba de o sondă săpată pentru cercetarea în extindere a mineralizatiei de fier de la Vlăhița, iar după retragerea instalației de foraj, pe gura puțului a ieșit artezian apă termominerală. Apa vine cam de la 200 m adâncime, deci nu putem vorbi de un izvor. Uitați-vă în dicționar ce înseamnă izvor. Formularea că mai jos de Perla Vlăhiței râul Vârghiș curge prin valea Selters, este greșită. Râul Vârghiș curge numai și numai prin valea Vârghiș. Selters este o microstațiune.
5. Referitor la Băile Nadasszeki, nu sunt chiar singurele din Secuime cu apă minerală încălzită. Apa este încălzită și la baza de tratament de la Jigodin (lângă Miercurea Ciuc), și la Băile Dugaș (lângă Dănești) și la Băile Bogat (lângă Racu).
6. Cred că traducerea Kiruly Furdo în Kings Baths e forțată. Inițial nici nu mi-am dat seama la ce vă referiți. Și în românește se spune Băile Chirui și nu Băile Regești.
7. Ceea ce m-a deranjat cel mai mult, vorbind din punctul de vedere al unui geolog care știe exact despre ce este vorba, este că vă referiți la fosta exploatare de la Harghita Băi ca fiind una de sulfuri. Vă dau cuvântul meu că la Harghita Băi nu s-a cercetat, exploatat niciodată vreo mineralizație cu sulfuri ci una de caolin. caolinul este un mineral argilos, iar roca, numita caolinit, rezultă prin dezagregarea și transformarea rocilor vulcanice preexistente sub acțiunea apelor și gazelor postvulcanice. Citiți oriunde și nu veți întâlni sulfuri la Harghita Băi. http://www.baileharghita.ro/ Desigur, sulfuri sunt, dar nu au nicio treabă cu culoarea râului Chirui sau cu haldele de acolo. Râul este galben/portocaliu de la depunerile de limonit (oxizi și hidroxizi de fier), fără legătură cu sulfurile.
8. La Băile Harghita nu există lac de sulfuri. Există un iaz de decantare cu steril de la fosta stație de preparare a caolinului. Sulfurile sunt niște combinații ale sulfului cu diverse metale, iar caolinul este un mineral argilos, fără metale, din care se face faianță, de exemplu.
9. Cum puteți spune că gazul mofetic este mai greu decât oxigenul ? Adică 1 Kg de gaz mofetic este mai greu decât 1 Kg de oxigen ? Vreți să spuneți că, eventual, are densitatea mai mare. Și ce treabă are aici oxigenul ? Noi respirăm aer care are vreo 78% azot și doar circa 21% oxigen……
10. ”It is quite a large area dotted with sulfur dunes” Ați descoperit o noua Roșie Montană !
Scuzați sarcamul meu, dar străbat intens aceste meleaguri de zeci de ani …
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Servus Lucian, mi-a placut filmulete tale pe youtube foarte mult! Multumesc mult pentru comentariile.
Acest Blog este o prima incercare pentru a documenta toate spa-uri in Tinutul Secuiesc. Am publicat pur si simplu ce am gasit pe net si ce am aflat de la localnici, sunt niste zone extrem de frumos si unic pe acolo si eu cred ca merita sa le expune mai mult! Bineinteles voi integra comentariile tale in blog-ul, mersi mult.
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Multumesc si eu ! Ma bucur ca ati descoperit canalul meu de pe Youtube unde pot fi gasite peste 100 de videoclipuri despre ceea ce inseamna Secuime (traditii, obiceiuri, locuri, evenimente), asa cum le-am vazut eu ca prieten al acestui tinut. Daca va ajuta cu ceva, puteti insera videoclipurile mele in blogul Dvs. Daca pe partea geologica aveti probeme, neclaritati sau doriti detalii (chiar daca pentru obiectivul respectiv nu am videoclip pe Youtube) puteti sa ma intrebati fara nicio retinere. Toate cele bune !
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