Borşa is a tourist resort in the Rodna Mountains, an area known for the conditions favourable to winter sports, as well as for its folklore and traditions.
Skiing has been practiced here since the last decades of the 19th century. Ski slopes are at an altitude of 1200-1500m, and a special attraction is the first ski jump hill, (50m high), which is unique in Europe.
The resort provides many possibilities of spending your spare time outside the winter season, with mountain trails that start from the locality and go to the Mountains of Maramureş and the Rodna Mountains; on the route, there are must-see natural objectives, as well as numerous traditions celebrated during local festivals.
Skiing has been practiced here since the last decades of the 19th century. Ski slopes are at an altitude of 1200-1500m, and a special attraction is the first ski jump hill, (50m high), which is unique in Europe.
The resort provides many possibilities of spending your spare time outside the winter season, with mountain trails that start from the locality and go to the Mountains of Maramureş and the Rodna Mountains; on the route, there are must-see natural objectives, as well as numerous traditions celebrated during local festivals.
Positioning
The town Borşa is found in the east of Maramureş County, in the Hotar Valley, between the Mountains of Maramureş and the Rodna Mountains, at 673m altitude. Thus, the town is bordered by mountains in all directions – the Rodna Mountains are to the south, the Mountains of Maramureş to the north and the Țibău Mountains to the east.
Access
- Road access is on the route Baia-Mare – Sighetu-Marmaţiei – Vişeu de Sus – Moisei – Borşa – Prislop, on DN 18, which connects to DN 17 over the Prislop Pass, on the route Câmpulung-Moldovenesc – Vatra Dornei – Bistriţa.
- Railway access is on the route Vişeu de Jos – Vişeu de Sus – Borşa, with a train change on the Salva – Sighetu Marmaţiei route.
Map
Tourist objectives
Ski slopes
ÎThere are two intermediate difficulty slopes that operate in Borşa: Stiol, on a distance of 1000 m, and Poiana, on a distance of 2000 m. The slopes include 2-person chairlift in Poiana and ski lift for the Stiol peak. The skiable domain will be extended with a new slope that will be the longest in the country.
There is also the longest natural ski jump hill in Europe – 90 m.
The fees for the 2013-2014 ski season are:
Horses Waterfall
The waterfall can be reached from the Borşa Resort by chairlift or on foot; it is at the NE of the Rodna Mountains. The water falls from a height of 90 m and it is one of the most spectacular waterfall in Romania. The water falls in several steps and it is formed by the melting of snows and by the mountain rains gathered in a corrie.
ÎThere are two intermediate difficulty slopes that operate in Borşa: Stiol, on a distance of 1000 m, and Poiana, on a distance of 2000 m. The slopes include 2-person chairlift in Poiana and ski lift for the Stiol peak. The skiable domain will be extended with a new slope that will be the longest in the country.
There is also the longest natural ski jump hill in Europe – 90 m.
The fees for the 2013-2014 ski season are:
- Chairlift: - 1 lift: 10 Lei for adults, 5 Lei for children
- Stiol ski lift: - 1 lift: 5 Lei
Horses Waterfall
The waterfall can be reached from the Borşa Resort by chairlift or on foot; it is at the NE of the Rodna Mountains. The water falls from a height of 90 m and it is one of the most spectacular waterfall in Romania. The water falls in several steps and it is formed by the melting of snows and by the mountain rains gathered in a corrie.
Pietrosul Rodnei Peak
The highest peak of the Oriental Carpathians, at 2,303 m, Pietrosul Rodnei offers special landscapes, with a panorama of the Vişeu Valley, Borşa, Moisei and the Mountains of Maramureş. Owing to the diversity and numbers of fauna and flora, it is a protected zone, as Biosphere reserve; here, apart from the rare species, tourists can also admire unique glacial phenomena – corries and glacial lakes.
The trail to the peak, marked with a blue stripe against a white background, starts from the town Borşa, it goes to the weather station (2h), and continues to the destination (2 more hours); it is accessible and its difficulty is low.
Lake Iezer
The glacial lake found under the Pietrosul Rodnei Massif is on the trail marked from Borşa, at an altitude of 1,825 m and it has an area of 3,450 m2. The panorama at the lake is splendid owing to the blue colour and to the green and rocky surroundings.
Prislop Pass
The highest pass in the Oriental Carpathians, found at an altitude of 1416 m, between the Mountains of Maramureşului at the north and the Rodna Mountains at the south, the Prislop Pass connects the Maramureş Depression and the valley of Bistriţa Aurie in Moldavia. The most important points of reference in the area are the Prislop inn and Monastery, the Museum of Roots and the Preluca Tătarilor Monument.
The highest peak of the Oriental Carpathians, at 2,303 m, Pietrosul Rodnei offers special landscapes, with a panorama of the Vişeu Valley, Borşa, Moisei and the Mountains of Maramureş. Owing to the diversity and numbers of fauna and flora, it is a protected zone, as Biosphere reserve; here, apart from the rare species, tourists can also admire unique glacial phenomena – corries and glacial lakes.
The trail to the peak, marked with a blue stripe against a white background, starts from the town Borşa, it goes to the weather station (2h), and continues to the destination (2 more hours); it is accessible and its difficulty is low.
Lake Iezer
The glacial lake found under the Pietrosul Rodnei Massif is on the trail marked from Borşa, at an altitude of 1,825 m and it has an area of 3,450 m2. The panorama at the lake is splendid owing to the blue colour and to the green and rocky surroundings.
Prislop Pass
The highest pass in the Oriental Carpathians, found at an altitude of 1416 m, between the Mountains of Maramureşului at the north and the Rodna Mountains at the south, the Prislop Pass connects the Maramureş Depression and the valley of Bistriţa Aurie in Moldavia. The most important points of reference in the area are the Prislop inn and Monastery, the Museum of Roots and the Preluca Tătarilor Monument.
History
As one of the oldest settlements in Maramureş, the locality Borşa was inhabited since the Bronze Age, an aspect established by the ceramic objects unearthed and confirmed by the Dacian origin of the locality name - Borşa, from the word "Bora" meaning blizzard, storm.
However, the first written certification of the locality dates back to 1353, and it mentions it as included in the Cuhea domain of the Bogdăneşti. Its ownership is changed by the king of Hungary, Louis I, to the sons of Sas: Balc, Drag and Dragomir, in the years 1365.
However, the first written certification of the locality dates back to 1353, and it mentions it as included in the Cuhea domain of the Bogdăneşti. Its ownership is changed by the king of Hungary, Louis I, to the sons of Sas: Balc, Drag and Dragomir, in the years 1365.
The rich history of the locality also includes battles with the Tartars, and the victory in 1717, obtained by inhabitants of the area now called Preluca Tătarilor, was a major event in the history of the settlement.
Cultural events
Some of the most important events that are organised in Borşa:
- December - January – Inter-county Festival "Winter Traditions in Borşa"
- January– February – Winter salon of Maramureş plastic artists, Plastic art exhibition
- February – Holiday of the Mountain and Celebrations of the Snow
- March – Ancient spring traditions - Borşa
- April – Days of the Forest – Borşa: Festival of environmental culture and spirituality
- April – Holy and Fertile Land: Cultural-religious event for Saint George the slayer, protector of the town Borşa
- April - May – Easter Exhibition and introduction of Holy Week traditions
- June – Midsummer (Sânziene) Nights
- July – Alpine Summer in Rodna Mountains
- July –Titiana Mihali International Festival
- August – Green Fest Festival
- August – Dancing the Hora at Prislop
- October – Autumn Festival
Tourist reception structures
Housing structures
| Name of structure | Type of structure | Category | Number of rooms | Number of places | Town | Adress | Phone no |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALEXIS | guesthouse | 3 stars | 6 | 12 | Borşa | Str. Strâmturii, nr. 2A | 0745.358.587 |
| ANCA | guesthouse | 2 stars | 4 | 8 | Borşa | Str. Brădeţ, nr. 27 | 0262.343787 |
| ANCUŢA | guesthouse | 3 stars | 10 | 20 | Borşa | Str. Victoriei, nr. 68A | 0262.343.300 |
| CĂLIN | guesthouse | 2 stars | 5 | 15 | Borşa | Str. Brădeţ, nr. 9B | 0262.344.263 |
| CARMEN | guesthouse | 3 stars | 7 | 15 | Borşa | Str. Unirii, nr. 74A | - |
| CERBUL | hotel | 2 stars | 27 | 54 | Borşa | Str. Brădeţ, nr. 8B | 0262.344.199 |
| CRIPENEL | guesthouse | 2 stars | 3 | 6 | Borşa | Str. Brădeţ, nr. 33C | 0740.972.414 |
| DORIN | guesthouse | 3 stars | 10 | 20 | Borşa | Str. Dragoş Vodă nr. 2E | - |
| ELADI | guesthouse | 3 stars | 6 | 11 | Borşa | Str. Valea Ilei, nr. 10A | 0262.343.633 |
| FÂNTÂNA | guesthouse | 3 stars | 12 | 24 | Borşa | Str. Fântâna, nr. 36B | - |
| HANTIG-LUCIAN | guesthouse | 2 stars | 7 | 14 | Borşa | Str. Cascada, nr. 6 | 0262.343.663 |
| IOANA | guesthouse | 2 stars | 6 | 13 | Borşa | Str. Brădeţ, nr. 171A | 0262.342.309 |
| IULIA | guesthouse | 2 stars | 4 | 8 | Borşa | Str. Victoriei, nr. 86A | - |
| MARA | rooms for rent | 3 stars | 8 | 16 | Borşa | Str. Bogdan Vodă nr. 1/A | 0768.382.230 |
| MARIA | guesthouse | 2 flowers | 9 | 28 | Borşa | Str. Brădet, nr. 13 | - |
| MESTEACĂNUL | guesthouse | 2 flowers | 6 | 7 | Borşa | Str. Mesteacănului, nr. 15 | 0745.839.440 |
| MIA | guesthouse | 2 stars | 3 | 5 | Borşa | Str. Brădeţ, nr. 40 | 0262.344.282, 0745.390.777 |
| NORDICA | guesthouse | 3 flowers | 6 | 14 | Borşa | Str. Brădet nr. 10B | 0742.793.805 |
| ONU | guesthouse | 2 stars | 5 | 10 | Borşa | Str. Fântâna, nr. 24B | 0262.342.367 |
| PĂLTINIŞ | hotel | 3 stars | 19 | 38 | Borşa | Str. Vişeuţ, nr. 42 | 0262.344.190 |
| PAULA | guesthouse | 2 stars | 4 | 8 | Borşa | Str. Al. I. Cuza, nr. 18 | - |
| PERLA MARAMURESULUI | urban guesthouse | 2 stars | 5 | 10 | Borşa | Str. Victoriei, nr. 62/B | 0744.701.094 |
| POIANA | urban guesthouse | 2 stars | 5 | 10 | Borşa | Str. Al. I. Cuza, nr. 103 | 0262.344.043 |
| RODNA | motel | 2 stars | 22 | 42 | Borşa | Str. Libertăţii, nr. 37 | - |
| ROYAL | guesthouse | 3 stars | 12 | 27 | Borşa | Str. Dragoş Vodă, nr. 5A | 0262.344.705 |
| TITI | camping houses | 3 stars | 8 | 20 | Borşa | Str. Al. I. Cuza, NR. 134A | 0262.344.884 |
| TITI | guesthouse | 2 stars | 5 | 12 | Borşa | Str. Al. I. Cuza, nr. 134A | 0262.344.884 |
| URSU | cabin tourist | 2 stars | 7 | 15 | Borşa | Str. Brădeţ, nr. 11/D | 0262.343.270 |
| VADURI | guesthouse | 3 stars | 14 | 40 | Borşa | Str. Vasile Alecsandri, nr. 66/B | 0747.029.814, 0747.029.803 |
| VĂLCINEŢ | guesthouse | 3 flowers | 6 | 14 | Borşa | Str. Ţapinarilor nr. 20 | 0744.702.581 |
| VICTORIA | hotel | 3 stars | 21 | 42 | Borşa | Str. Strâmtura, NR. 9 | 0262.342.349 |
Food structures
| Name of structure | Type of structure | Category | Number of places | Town | Adress | Phone no |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CERBUL | day bar | 2 stars | 24 | Borşa | Str. Brădeţ, nr. 8B | - |
| CERBUL | classic restaurant | 2 stars | 146 | Borşa | Str. Brădeţ, nr. 8B, Hotel | - |
| DORNA | pizzeria | 2 stars | 30 | Borşa | Str. Libertăţii, nr. 37 | - |
| DORNA | self-service restaurant | 2 stars | 45 | Borşa | Str. Libertăţii, nr. 37 | - |
| FÂNTANA | classic restaurant | 3 stars | 78 | Borşa | Str. Fântâna, nr. 36B | - |
| NORDICA | day bar | 3 stars | 16 | Borşa | Str. Brădeţ, nr. 10B, Pensiune | 0742.793.805 |
| ROYAL | classic restaurant | 3 stars | 144 | Borşa | Str. Dragoş Vodă, nr.. 5A |
0262.344.705 |
| TITI | pizzeria | 2 stars | 88 | Borşa | Str. Al. I. Cuza nr. 134A | - |
| VICTORIA | day bar | 3 stars | 24 | Borşa | Str. Strâmtura, nr. 9 | - |
Tourist trails
Tourist trails in the Mountains of Maramureş:
- On foot:
- Șesuri (Valea Bistritei - DN 18) - Valea Șesuri - Fântâna Stanchi Chalet. Marking: blue dot; Duration: 4 - 5 ore. - By car:
- Borşa Resort – Vişeu de Sus - 32 km, on DN 18;
- Borşa Resort – Prislop Pass - Bistriţa Aurie-Bucovina (monasteries).
Tourist trails in the Rodna Mountains:
- Borşa - Iezerul Pietrosului – Rebra Peak.
Marking: blue stripe; Duration: 6 - 8 hours. - Borşa Resort – Fântâna Valley - Izvorul Cailor Waterfall - Stiol Saddle – Prislop Pass.
Marking: red triangle; Duration: 4-5 hours.
- Prislop Pass - Preluca Tătarilor - Borşa Resort.
Marking: yellow stripe; Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours. - Borşa Resort - Poiana Runcu Stiolului - Stiol Saddle - Izvorul Bistriţei - Gârgălău Saddle.
Marking: blue stripe; Duration: 3.5 - 4 hours. - Borşa Resort - Faţa Meselor - Puzdra - Galaţiului Saddle.
Marking: blue dot; Duration: 4.5 - 5 hours. - Poiana Borşei - Negoiescului Valley - Puzdra - Galaţiului Saddle.
Marking: Blue triangle; Duration: 6 – 6.5 hours. - Gârgălău Saddle - Galaţiului Peak - Rebra Peak - Bătrâna Peak – Setref Pass.
Marking: red stripe; Duration: 14 - 16 hours.
