It is the best-known sight in Bicaz: from the crest you see the lake and Ceahlău on one side and the Bistrița valley on the other.
About the place
The dam was built between 1950 and 1960, and its gates were closed on 1 July 1960. It is a concrete gravity dam, 127 m high, 435 m long at the crest and 119 m wide at the base. The first plan for harnessing the Bistrița was drawn up by the engineer Dimitrie Leonida in 1908. A tunnel carries the water to the 210 MW Stejaru power station, about 15 km downstream. To make room for the lake, 22 villages were moved in part or in full, with more than 18,000 people, and political prisoners were among those who worked on the site.
The DN15 national road runs along the crest, so you can see the dam all year round, at any hour. It scores 4.6 on Google from almost 7,000 reviews; visitors in 2026 write mostly about the view from 127 m up, with the lake and the Ceahlău massif ahead.
Good to know
- Cars use the crest: stop only where there is room to park and walk on the pavement.
- The road stays open in winter, but it is windy up there and can be icy; dress warmly.
- The Păstrăvul Auriu restaurant is right at the foot of the dam on the DN15.
Opening hours
Opening hours are not confirmed. Check the venue's website before you go.