Gura Râului: Cibin, reservoir and culture

Landscape along the Cibin

The village of Gura Râului stretches along the banks of the Cibin. The commune also includes Cindrel Nature Park and a reservoir on the Cibin, regulated by a dam. The village’s location on the river and the park and reservoir’s locations within the commune are distinct geographical reference points. The imposing dam stands in a landscape shaped by mountain ridges. You can stop on the dam and take in the surrounding landscape.

Routes and getting to the reservoir

The Gura Râului–Râul Mic–Sub Duși–Crinț–Sibiel mountain biking route is just under 50 kilometres long, with an elevation gain of around 1,000 metres. It starts at the “Trecătoarea Lupilor” ski slope on the edge of Gura Râului, in the direction of the reservoir. The route follows the reservoir’s left bank. At the end of the reservoir, the trail continues along the bed of the Râul Mic and climbs towards “Sub Duși” at an altitude of 1,230 metres. The distance and elevation gain give you two specific figures to use when planning this ride; the route described continues as far as Sibiel.

The Coada lacului Gura Râului–Şaua Cânaia–Valea Sadului hiking route is marked with a blue triangle on a white background. Different details are useful for comparing the routes: the mountain biking route is described by its distance and elevation gain, while the hiking route is identified by its trail marker.

The end of the Gura Râului reservoir is accessible by car. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Gura Râului and walk for about two hours from the commune to the reservoir. With the bus option, the walk from the commune is part of the journey; allow for the approximate walking time when planning.

Church and local tradition

The “Sf. Mihail şi Gavril” church was built in 1887. Its architecture combines Byzantine and Baroque features; the tower also has Gothic elements. Contact the priest if you would like to visit. On Sundays and public holidays, residents of Gura Râului attend the church wearing traditional dress and observe a traditional seating arrangement. The construction date and the custom represent two distinct aspects of time: the building’s construction and an ongoing local practice.

Other cultural traces and the festival

Old hydraulic installations have been preserved in homes in Gura Râului. The local cultural heritage therefore extends beyond the church to include technical traces in domestic settings. A covered bridge over the Cibin is also one of the sights in the surroundings of Gura Râului. These hydraulic installations and the bridge are located in different places: the former are found in homes, while the latter is in the area around the village.

The “Bujorul de Munte” festival is held annually below the dam. The exact date may vary from year to year. If the festival is important to your travel plans, check the dates for the relevant edition.

Discover more destinations: Pojana, Valea Viilor, Städterdorf, Arpaşu De Sus, Mohu, Hohe Rinne, Heltau, Bazna

Back to the main travel overview: Hermannstadt.