Pictures © Barbara Knowles
Pagan Snow Cap (Pogány-havas) Association was founded in 1999 by Hargita County Council. Its founding members are the local councils of seven municipalities as well as local NGOs and entrepreneurs. These entities work together to form common goals, expand the local economy and develop tourism. The association's office is in Csíksomlyó. They work on a range of projects to increase local incomes, preserve the region's cultural heritage, and conserve the natural environment.
Our projects
- We encourage tourism in the region by offering a booking and information service, working with guesthouse owners, producing tourist information, and organising a tourism round-table for local entrepreneurs. We are proud that our B&B providers are financing a young specialist to work full time on our tourism projects.
- We support traditional agriculture and boost farm incomes through training programmes and study tours for farmers, encouraging development of new dairy products, providing information about ecological farming and organic conversion, and helping farmers' associations to increase the quality of their milk through ownership of milk collection and testing equipment.
- We are working with scientists and NGOs to catalogue and conserve the special animal and plant life of the region, especially in its wetlands and hay meadows.
- We founded the Csík-Gyimes Naturpark, to run nature protection projects and to prepare and promote the area as an eco-tourism destination.
- We have produced an inventory of the most important examples of traditional village houses, and help to preserve the "village view" by encouraging people to restore their old houses, and through architecture competitions to design modern homes that incorporate traditional design elements and materials.
- We involve young people in our "lifeschool programme" - which is an opportunity to learn new skills, get involved in community and environmental protection projects, and take part in study tours abroad.
- We are developing education programmes, helping people in our community to apply for business-support grants, and assisting farmers to get grants for environmental land management.
You can support the communities of this region and the work of the association by spending your money locally, employing a guide, volunteering on one of our projects, or becoming a sponsor.
Tourist Information for Csik and Gyimes
A visit to this beautiful and remote area can sometimes be difficult for a traveller who doesn't speak Hungarian. The Pagan Snow Cap team can make your stay easier by arranging airport transfers, booking accommodation, organising excursions, itineraries and an English-speaking guide for you. You will soon discover why the people of this region are famous for their hospitality, and why visitors keep coming back. Download our tourist brochure here.
Some suggestions for your visit
Gyimes:
- Visit the summer cow pastures for a barbecue and learn about traditional agriculture and cheese-making in Gyimes.
- Walk along the 1000-year-old Hungarian border and visit the small museum which explains the history of this eastern frontier which separated the Ottoman and Hungarian Empires.
- Visit the children's home in Gyimes, run by the Saint Francis Foundation, learn about their work and meet the children.
- Explore some of the special sights of the area with a local guide: the village architecture, an amazing "washing machine" used to make felt and wash rugs, an old water mill.
- Learn about village life by visiting a family home or village artisan with your guide, and sample the local produce.
- Enjoy panoramic views from the Gyimes Pass, and walk some of the local hiking trails.
- Participate in seasonal activites such as decorating Easter eggs or visiting a village festival.
Csík
- Take a guided nature walk around the special wetlands near Delne. Enjoy the wildlife and plants, and learn about the landscape and geology of the area. In spring you might be lucky to see the spectacular blue mating colours of the moor frog, and learn about the life cycle of fairy shrimps in seasonal ponds.
- Visit the new milk collection point in Delne to learn how modern equipment helps traditional farmers to increase their income and the quality of their milk.
- See and sample the mineral water springs and baths of the area and learn about their history and traditional uses.
- Explore the churches and the older sacred places of the region.
- Help to support the economy of the area and learn about its traditional crafts: visit the blacksmith, see how a rag rug is woven or buy some hand made textiles.
- Walk to the neolithic fort above Csomortán.
- Come to the Pagan Snow Cap office to learn how we support the communities of this very special part of Europe.
For more information, and our tourist booking service, contact us:
Telephone: +40 (0)729 154 688
Address: 123 Szék útja, Csíksomlyó,
Hargita County, Romania 530203
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