The Mocăniţa in Sovata is a delightful story which has recaptured its past glory. A tourist attraction in itself, the steam train offers you a delightful journey on a narrow railway in a picturesque region at the foot of the Gurghiu Mountains. The traveler who is passionate about mountain landscapes will have the time to admire the beauties of this Transylvanian region.

A Century of Railway History

In the beginning, in 1915, mocanita used to cover the Targu Mures - Praid route, being mainly a means of transport for passengers and goods, but also a tourist attraction.  For 70 years, the whistling of the locomotive has continuously been heard on this route, and afterwards, the narrow railway was reconditioned and ultimately closed. After the repairs, mocanita came back on the rails in 2011, travelling once again on the Sovata-Campu Cetatii Route.

The steam train is made of a Polish locomotive and three railcars, out of which two are closed and one is a gondola. The route starts in The Small Train Station (Gara mica) of Sovata Resort known for its healing thermal waters. Tickets can be bought in the train, so don’t waste any time if you want to get a seat. Mocanita travels with a maximum speed of 35 km/h, but on certain portions the speed is even more reduced, so the 14 km trip lasts between 45 minutes to an hour.

A ride with Mocanita gives you the chance to contemplate one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. The rich forests, mild hills, and the wide spread meadows around Sovata or the Transylvanian houses left behind one by one by the Mocanita truly please the eye of the tourist. At the end of the route, at Campu Cetatii, we recommend you make a stop at the trout farm, where you can fish and taste fish specialties. On the way back, the locomotive stays behind the railcar, allowing a generous view, to be admired quietly.

The Mocanita runs daily from May to November, and the price of the trip is reasonable.  Enjoy the serenity of the places and the unique experience offered by this old steam train.

For details concerning the schedule and price list go to: http://mocanitasovata.ro/.

[An article written by Andreea Bertea]