Zănoaga Lake

Zănoaga Lake, also called Zănoaga Mare, is a glacial cirque lake in the western part of the Retezat Mountains, within Retezat National Park. It lies at 1,997 m in the Judele glacial cirque, on the southern slope of Sesele mountain, and is almost circular in shape. With a maximum depth of 29 m, Zănoaga is, according to the park administration, the deepest glacial lake in Romania, while Bucura Lake, in the same massif, is the largest. It should not be confused with the Zănoaga lake in the Bucegi Mountains. On the shore stands the APNR Zănoaga refuge (1,997 m), staffed by mountain rescuers in summer, and camping is allowed next to it. The park administration advises visitors who want to stay overnight here to bring a tent. The administration recommends two out-and-back routes: from Gura Zlata, on the red triangle marking (9-10 hours, 1,750 m of ascent), and from the Gura Apelor entrance, on the blue cross marking (8-9 hours, 1,550 m of ascent). The two markings run side by side across the Aradeș-Zlata plateau, climb to a 2,120 m saddle and then descend to the lake. Visits are allowed only on marked trails and require the visitor fee.