Ocna Șugatag is at the foot of the Țibleş and Gutâi mountains, in the Maramureş Depression, at an altitude of 490 m; it connects the two largest towns in Maramureş County: Baia Mare, at a distance of approx. 54 km, and Sighetu Marmaţiei, 20 km away.

• Road access to Ocna Șugatag is on DN 18 Baia Mare - Ocna Şugatag, while Coştiui can be reached on DN 18 following DJ (county road) 186 A from the locality Rona de Sus.

Ocna Şugatag

The spa resort Ocna Șugatag is known by tourists for its sodium-chloride waters that are beneficial in the treatment of rheumatic disorders, of fatigue, of asthenia and in the elimination of chronic inflammatory processes. The resort has a modern treatment centre, with electrotherapy and physical therapy equipment, aerosol equipment, two large pools and one small pool with cold mineral water for bathing and aero-light therapy, two pools and three tubs with warm mineral water, underwater shower and galvanic baths. Furthermore, the resort has its own canteen, spaces for the practice of various sports activities, beaches, malls, parks and other recreation areas and accommodation options, among other, in cottages built in Maramureş style. Here there is also the only anthropomorphic lake in Europe, which is used in medical treatments.

"Crăiasa Forest" Nature Reserve has 44 ha and it has been a protected area since the year 2000, for the preservation of biologic diversity and the prevention of natural resource exploitation or operation activities. It is found at an average altitude of 485 m, in the north of the locality Ocna Șugatag, on DJ 109 F. The flora here is represented by durmast and larch tree stands, completed by oaks.

Morărenilor Lake, known by the locals as Tăul Brebului or Tăul Morărenilor, is a mixed natural reserve on the territory of the locality Breb and close to DN 1 F that connects Zalău with the town Carei. The lake has a depth of 20m, it occupies an area of 0.45 ha and it was formed by a landslide. This natural area also include a zone of forest and meadows; species like hazel trees, elderberry, eared willow, black alder, green alder, grey alder and the beech add to the flora, while the fauna is represented by species such as birds (mallard, little grebe, black-necked grebe), amphibians (yellow-bellied toad, red mountain frog) and reptiles (Carpathian newt, lizard, adder) etc.

Coştiui

Băile Coştiui use, for healing purposes, the salt waters of a former lake formed by the collapse of an old salt mine. Since 1956, they have been known for the properties of the water here, high content of salt, used in the treatment of rheumatic conditions. Their wooden basin was restored in 1998.

Coştiui Larch Forest Reserve is a protected area found in the south of Coştiui, at an altitude of 575 m; it is administered by the Baia Mare Forest Directorate. The area of this forest reserve is 0.70 ha, and the forest here was declared a reserve in order to protect and preserve the species of larch (Larix dacidua) that grows up to 30 - 35 m high. Additionally, the forest is up to 150 years old, the larch reserve being one of the few of its kind in the country and a long-established tourist attraction in the area.

Apaffy Castle is one of the most important tourist objectives of Maramureş. It is found in Coştiui and, over the years, is has been used for multiple purpose, i.e. hunting lodge, residence of the families that owned the salt mines in the locality, or even a prison; at present, this building is a school. The name of the castle is given by the name of voivode Apaffy who owned it in the 17th century and who then transferred it in favour of the king of Hungary.

First documented in 1355, Ocna Șugatag has a history of approx. 660 years.

Until 1950, this locality was one of the most important centres of salt mining in the area and in the country; however, it ceased its activity because of the infiltration of waters in the salt mines.

Where the former salt mines were, there are now 8 lakes and salt water springs; the properties of these salt waters, helpful in the treatment of various health conditions, make Ocna Șugatag a spa resort that also operates as a recreation centre.

The tourism value of the Ocna Șugatag area is improved by various artistic and historic events and by local folklore manifestations that are organised here during the year.

We select some of these events:

Tânjaua Hotenarilor – yearly spring event, in the locality Hoteni. It is a folklore celebration of the first man who ploughs the land, with the sons who carry 12 adorned "dollies", i.e. hitches that are used to team the oxen.

Some of the well-known tourist trails in the area are:

• The trail Morărenilor Lake Reserve: Ocna Șugatag – Hoteni – Breb - Tăul Morărenilor - Tăul Chendroaiei - Creasta Cocoşului.
  Marking: red cross; Duration: 7 hours; The trail is 18 km long and the departure is from Ocna Șugatag or Deseşti.
• The trail Drumul Verde – "Drumul Moştenirii Maramureşene" ("Road of Maramureş Legacy")
  It crosses 7 localities: Ocna Șugatag, Budeşti, Hoteni, Hărniceşti, Deseşti and Mara. It includes 7 protected areas: Creasta Cocoşului Reserve, Crăiasa Forest, Morărenilor Lake, Hoteni Lakes, Iezerul Mara Peat Moor, Cheile Tătarului, Poiana Brazilor Bogs.
• Coştiui – Hills of Maramureş – Rona Depression/rivers Rona and Ronişoara, Apaffy Castle – Roman-Catholic Church, Ukrainian Church – Natural Reserve "Ronişoara Durmast Wood" – Coştiui Lake.