By creating the Zete nature trail, we want to help you get to know the local historical landmarks and natural values of the upside part of Târnava Mare riverside. During a 3.5 km walk along the nature trail, you can get an idea of the tourist and natural attractions, rocks, flora and fauna of the area. We wish all hikers to have a pleasant time!
Location: between Zetea and Sub Cetate at the Deșag exit, Harghita county, Romania
- Length: 3.5 km (round trip)
- Difference in level: 233 m
- Duration: 2 - 2 ½ hours
- Nature: historical-botanical-zoological-petrological
- Accessibility: open to the public
- Indication: blue letter in a white circle
Travel description, information board
Our nature trail allows you to get to know the natural, historical and cultural values of Mount Deság, one of the hills of the Harghita plateau, on a one-day tour. Its total length is 3.5 km. Following the route described below, 1.4 km uphill to Zete Castle, 2.1 km back. This route can be done at a comfortable pace in 2 - 2 ½ hours. If we also include the detour leading to the fireplace, which is 1 km round trip, the time allocated for the trip will be ½ hour longer, but this does not include the time spent on frying the bacon.
Our nature trail starts at the Deșag junction, 5 km from the center of Zetea, 1 km from Sub Cetate, where the 1st information board is located.
The sign then follows the macadam road, which turns into the Târnava Mare valley and then descends to the lower flood plain. Beyond the bridge, we reach the houses of the southern edge of Sub Cetate and soon we reach the gate of the narrow Deșag. The narrow valley is dominated by the 801 m high Dealul Cetății hill on the left, and on the right, at the northern end of Lazului, the 860 m high Tölgyesuru Hill. We go up between houses and soon reach a fork. To the left we can see a bell tower. From there, a small street goes to the left towards the pasture under Dealul Cetății, where there is an open-air stage in a fenced area. The educational trail returns here at the end of the tour.
We continue to go uphill along the Deșag stream. Soon we will reach another fork, and at the same time the second station of the educational trail (2nd information board - petrological).
Here we will learn about the geohistorical formation of the area and its current occurrences. Then we immediately turn left onto the path that stretches along the fences at the edge of the forest. Upon reaching the western side, the marked path suddenly leaves the wide forest road you have followed so far and starts up a less frequented, narrow, steep slope on the mountainside. After a tiring climb, we reach the rocky ridge where the forest ends. From here, the view begins to unfold, and the higher we get, the more comprehensive it is. In this section, carefully approach the edge of the ravine on the left, because its edge is rocky and crumbly, and you can easily fall down. If you feel dizzy, don't go out to the edge of the steep! At the edge of the forest, it is worth taking a rest and admire the view. To the east, on the other side of the Deșag stream, the forested hillside darkens. The deep valley of Târnava Mare is visible to the south, the houses of Subcetate under our feet, and the reddish roofs of Zetea a little further down, merging with the village of Târnovița. The houses of Piatra Țărcii and Odorheiu Secuiesc can be seen in the distance. If the air is clear, the lacy ridge of the Făgăraș mountains can be seen beautifully at the bottom of the horizon. To the west, you can see a range of hills stretching along the other side of Târnava Mare, the closest part of which is Szentkirályi Láz and Szellõhát (881 m). Under our feet, the holiday homes, fishponds and the many sawmills are clearly visible, where unfortunately the legendary ancient forests of the Harghita will soon be destroyed and transformed into planks.
Our path leads to the 3rd station - Sziklakert, where we get colorful information about the unique colorful flowers of this rocky region, and then our path leads back into the forest. The archaeological reserve is located here, which was made to protect the now barely noticeable traces of an ancient castle, and is also the 4th station – Zete Castle, of our nature trail.
You can read in detail about the history of the castle and the folklore sayings associated with it on the sign located here. Descending from the Dealul Cetății Hill, we cross two protective ditches and then arrive at a small wooded area. Here, our educational trail turns left into the dense forest and follows a fairly steep road. If we have time, it is worth adding a small detour to the route of our tour and continue on the wide forest path we have followed up to the north - a station not marked by the educational trail - towards the fire place. This route is marked with a yellow line (the signs are very old, worn, barely noticeable) and leads to the scattered settlement of Deșag. After the rest, we return on the same path to the turnoff, from where we continue on the road marked with blue.
After a longer descent, we reach a dark, dense fir tree forest, then turning left we reach the 5th lookout station of our nature trail, from where we can see a wonderful view of the settlement of Sub Cetate and the Târnava Mare valley, as well as the Gurghiu mountains. Here we can also get information of the rich mushroom world of the area we visited.
We continue along the forest path, and when we get out of the forest, we see the cliff above us on the left, the top of which we already visited at the beginning of our journey. We descend on the stony clearing below the collapse next to the fence of the open-air stage, to the 6th Living World station of our educational trail, where we get to know the native flora and fauna of the area. From there, we follow the carriage road snaking below us to the belfry, where our tour ends. Then, following the stony road, we arrive at the paved road.
We advise you to wear boots for the journey, as there are also cross vipers in the rocky parts! It is recommended to bring a raincoat or windbreaker, as unexpected summer showers are common. In the event of lightning, you must immediately get off the ridge or top of the hills! Don't stand under lonely trees from the rain! Climbing and descending will be easier if you take a trekking pole with you. Be sure to carry drinking water in your backpack, because there is no spring in the area of the nature trail.
In winter, in heavy snow, making the journey is much more difficult and time-consuming. Let's start the journey only with suitable boots and layered warm clothing, expecting that high winds may also occur.
We wish you a pleasant relaxation!