Bucura Lake

Lake Bucura is located in the Retezat Mountains, in Hunedoara county, in a glacial cirque surrounded by high peaks. With an area of approximately 8.9 hectares, it is the largest glacial lake in Romania. The stony shores, alpine meadows and surrounding slopes form an open landscape, where the water often reflects the outline of the mountain.

The lake is a landmark for several marked trails in the Retezat National Park. The circuit of lakes in the Bucura complex connects this area with lakes Lia, Ana, Viorica and Florica, as well as with other bodies of water located at different altitudes. There is a Salvamont shelter nearby. Getting to Bucura involves mountain hiking and preparation for rapid weather changes. The lake circuit has restrictions in winter, and road access to the starting points depends on the season and the announcements of the park administration.

Photo: Dezidor / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0. Cropped and resized to 650 × 400 px.