Lake Morii is located between the neighborhoods of Militari, Crângași, Giulești in Bucharest and Chiajna commune in Ilfov county. It can be accessed from any of these directions. I chose Morii Lake Dam as a starting point in the circuit around the Lake of the Mill. It is located on the Mill Lake Lane, near the Ciurel Bridge. It can be reached by tram line 41 and bus 178.
Lake Mill Lake Circuit is a 15km flat trail that encircles Lake Mill. Lake Morii is located on the territory of the 6th district of Bucharest and the villages of Dudu and Roșu, part of Chiajna commune, Ilfov county. It is an artificial lake formed at the entrance of the river Dâmbovița in the Romanian capital, Bucharest. It occupies 2.5 kmp, is 7 km long, about 1.2 km wide and is at 78 mdm above sea level. It can hold 15 million cubic meters of water.
(click on objectives for extended version)
Difficulty: easy
Duration / distance: 3,5 hours, 15 km
Marking: unmarked, there is a footpath
Water sources: at the shops in Rosu
Minimum altitude: 80 meters above sea level, on the promenade pier
Maximum altitude: 100 m, near Dududu Forest
Level difference: flat terrain
Remarks: the left bank is more groomed, the trail is exposed to the sun, the island is being redeveloped
Lake Mill dam or Ciurel dam is parallel to the Ciurel Bridge on Virtuții Road. is 15 meters high. Access to the dam is forbidden. There are access stairs on the left side of the dam (in the direction of the Dâmbovița river). The dam was built in the Ceausescu era on the site of the former Ciurel swimming pool to protect the capital against flooding. There is a memorial plaque on the left side, which mentions the year the dam was built, 1985.
the dam plate
Morii Lake Dam
2.5 km / 45 min
It is the best and most beautifully landscaped part of the circuit and therefore the most visited. Here there are running and cycling tracks, benches, shade. Along the first length of the distance, at the base of the embankment, is the dedicated bike path, and then further on a rutted, dirt road, which you can also walk on. This segment is flanked by the Crângași Park, the Crângași neighborhood and the Giulești neighborhood. Ducks and seagulls can be admired on the lake, dippers, grebes, terns and other birds. From this part of the circuit you can see wonderful sunsets sunshinewith multicolored reflections in the lake.
Crângași neighborhood
improvements on the left bank of the lake
Crângași Park
Crângași neighborhood
Mill Lake Island or Angel Island occupies 3 hectares and is connected by a bridge to the promenade. The island is undergoing a major rehabilitation project. Trees will be planted, recreational areas for water sports and more will be organized.
bridge to the island
Morii Lake Island
Giulești neighborhood
bridge to the island
1.8 km / 30 minutes
We continue along the left bank of the lake. Although wide, the path, which is still called Mill Lake Path, is not as well maintained. The parallel path continues from the base of the embankment, but turns into a footpath at the end. I recommend using the levee road, as there have been incidents near the alley caused by fighting dogs. The Old Bridge is the place where the Dâmbovița enters the Morii Lake.
Militari neighborhood
Alley Lake Mill
path in the field
old bridge
1.9 km / 30 minutes
If we want to strictly mark the lake circuit we have to cross the Old Bridge. I lengthened the circuit by continuing on the left bank of the Dâmbovița river, on a more recently laid out path called Chiajnei Promenade. We enter through Gate 1. The route is lighted and has a bike path again. It continues until the bridge between Chiajna train station and Concordia stadium. I only went as far as Chiajna Iron Bridge. Up to here the Dâmbovița crosses an area of reeds where many birds nest.
main entrance on the promenade
Old Dâmbovița Bridge
Dâmbovița before the lake
left lane
reeds
me on the Iron Bridge
1.9 km / 30 minutes
I cross the Dâmbovița river on the Chiajna Iron Bridge and return on the other side of the Chiajna Promenade, up to Gate 2. Although there are cycle paths here as well, the route is less developed and unlit. The area is also called the Dâmbovița Delta due to the abundance of reeds and canals. The walk ends in Rue Pinului which leads us to the edge of the village of Dudu, past the Dudu Forest, along Rue Gospodari and General Praporgescu. Here we can buy something to drink for hydration. Thus we reach the Dinamic Parc gate.
wildlife
Iron Bridge in Chiajna
promenade on the right
promenade gate
alley on the right bank
Chiajna
Dinamic Park is a park with a sports center located on the banks of the Dâmbovița river, on the outskirts of the village of Roșu, near the Old Dâmbovița Bridge.The park also has a collection of vintage cars, a zip line, a recreation center and sports fields. On the paths and on the outer fence there are quotes by famous personalities with motivational, philosophical and health messages. Access to the park is free.
Dinamic Park
Tyrolean
sports fields
vintage cars
1.5 km / 30 minutes
We see the Old Bridge, but stay on the right bank. We're back in the area of Lake Mill. The street is called Aleea Lacul Dâmbovița and is also used by cars. The embankment is overgrown with plants and weeds that have grown freely, but they do not affect the access to the street, where we even admire beautiful flowers on the fences of the inhabitants. When we get to the confluence of the Argeș Canal with the Morii Lake, we have to follow it upstream to the DJ601A. When we cross the bridge over the canal, we are back in Bucharest.
Militari neighborhood
Old Bridge
channel
3.5 km / 60 minutes
Back across the canal to the right bank of Lake Morii. We are on the edge of the Militari neighborhood. From here we have a beautiful view of the bridge and the island. The road is well traveled, but not as well laid out as on the other side. Before the dam, we have to detour through the neighborhood streets to reach the Ciurel Bridge and the Lacul Morii Dam to close the circuit. Near the dam, the famous Ciurel Passage stands out, a passageway with no forward continuation at one end.
Argeș Canal
Old Podul Dâmbovița
Alley Lake Mill
right bank of the lake
interpol in Militari neighborhood
Crângași neighborhood
water sports on the lake
The Ciurel barn
Ciurel Passage
The Lake Mill Lake Circuit suitable for walking, cycling or jogging. It has very nicely landscaped areas, others being beautified. I recommend having water with you for hydration. Especially on hot summer days you need it. It is a place dear to my heart where I have run hundreds of kilometers and it is also a place that awakens nostalgic memories of the time when there was not yet a reservoir and we used to sunbathe or play ball on the banks of the old course of the Dâmbovița.
All the best!
Steps:
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