Tourism in the Gyimes vallery, accomodation, sights

The Gyimes Valley is not merely a geographical region on the border of Transylvania and Moldavia, but the setting for living Csángó culture, the stage for a ‘thousand-year-old heritage’. This region is the ‘land of streams’, where the genuine closeness to nature and deeply-rooted traditions make it a unique tourist destination.

The valley’s tourist hub is Gyimesbükk, where history and faith intertwine. Among the area’s most important attractions are:

• The Gyimes Pass: The pass offers the most beautiful view of the Gyimes Mountains. From here, trails lead hikers to the surrounding ridges, where the world of alpine pastures and the characteristic Gyimes huts (kalibák) welcomes visitors.
• The Bethlen–Rákóczi Castle in Gyimesbükk and the thousand-year-old border: The castle, which will be fully renovated by 2026, was the easternmost fortress and customs post of the historic Kingdom of Hungary; today, a modern, interactive exhibition within its walls showcases the region’s past.
• Railway Guard House No. 30: The former easternmost guard house of the Hungarian Royal State Railways now operates as a railway history museum, beautifully restored to its former glory.
• The Church of the Assumption in Kontumác: An important stop for worshippers and pilgrims, which remains a place of spiritual renewal to this day. The chapel’s garden offers a beautiful view of the castle at and the surrounding landscape. Next to the chapel, the old Vesztegzár buildings can still be seen, some rebuilt and others in ruins.
• St Stephen’s Church (Gyimesbükk): The church, situated in the centre of the village, is the largest religious building in the area, and its interior decoration faithfully reflects the religious life of the Csángó people.
• Gyimes Open-Air Museum (Borospataka): Old Csángó wooden houses, barns and even a small chapel, which had been condemned to ruin, were moved from the stream valleys of the surrounding area and rebuilt here. The buildings are not merely exhibits; most of them also serve as accommodation, so visitors can literally ‘sleep in’ the past whilst enjoying the conveniences of the modern age. The area also features a working watermill and an old sawmill, which pay tribute to the technical ingenuity of the people of the stream valley.

Tourism in the Gyimes Valley has reached new heights in recent years, so everyone can find their ideal form of relaxation:

• Traditional guesthouses: In Gyimesbükk, Gyimesfelsőlok and Gyimesközéplok, numerous family-run guesthouses welcome visitors, offering a direct insight into rural life as part of rural tourism.
• Adventure and leisure: One of the area’s most popular attractions, the bobsleigh track and leisure centre in Gyimesfelsőlok, caters to modern tastes, offering active leisure for families all year round. 
• Winter sports enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy on Gyimesfelsőlok’s modern ski slopes, whilst in summer a swimming pool and cocktail bar await guests. 
• Culinary experiences: The kitchens of the local guesthouses draw on ‘pure sources’: herbal teas, freshly baked potato bread and dishes made from mountain lamb capture the true flavour of the valley.

The Gyimes Valley is not merely an excursion, but also an inner journey. Anyone who climbs the more than one hundred steps of Rákóczi Castle and looks out over the bend of the Tatros River will take away with them a piece of the unwavering serenity of the Szekler-Csángó spirit.