Balan is located in the north- eastern edge of Harghita county, in the central area of the Eastern Carpathians, at the foot of the Big Hășmaș.

Balan is surrounded by the Big Hășmaș, Small Hășmaș and Tarcău.

Hășmaș is the major source of rivers: Olt, Mureș, Bicaz, Putna, Bistricioara.

Her is some data on the climate region:• First day below 0 degrees is generally Octomber 1st;• The last below freezing is generally May 1st;• The number of days it snows is around 40 days;• The area is covered by snow around 100 days.

Winters are approximately 6 months long, rich in precipitation. The average winter temperature is between -20 and -8 °C.

Autumns are long and beautiful, the summers are short and cool with the average temperature of 15°C.

The vegetationIt consist of rare plants, declared

monuments of nature such as lion’s foot and sweet pea, representing the symbol of trip lovers.

In the area we can find edible mushrooms such as Hribi, yellowish, zbârciogi and also rasberries, bluesberries, cranberries and wild strawberries.

Animals protected by law in the area are the brown bear, chamois and fallow deer.

In same places there are mineral water spring.

Tourist attractions

What can be visited in the area?

1. The Lonely Stone

2. Big Hășmaș

3. Șugău Cave- Miercurea Ciuc

3.The Red Lake

4. Bicaz canyon

Whatcan do in Bălan?

•ParaglidingFor sport lovers,

paragliding can be done in Bălan.

Walks with dog sleds.

Bibliography Aurora Panainte, Rodica Roman, Bălan (past, present,

future), Publisher Europrint, Oradea, 2009.