Walking in Transylvania and the Carpathian Mountains

Walking in Transylvania and the Carpathian Mountains

Activity Level

Moderate & Challenging

Activity

Walking & Trekking

Overview

Enjoy self-guided walking in Romania

‘Every known superstition in the world is gathered into the Carpathians, as if it were the centre of some sort of imaginative whirlpool.’ So says the narrator of Dracula, the late 19th century English novel of Victorian superstitions that used this area of Romania to represent something on the edge of civilisation.

A trip to this part of the world is to enter a maelstrom of natural sensation. There is everywhere a bewildering mass of flora and fauna. Profusions of trees and flowers and grasses are barely touched by agricultural exploitation. Be alert, however, for roe deer and chamois and hedgehogs and rodents, plus the sight and sound of the area’s 190 bird species. Transylvania is a region full of beauty of every kind, sometimes little towns or castles on the top of steep hills.

This trek rises daily through Carpathian lower reaches, a green land full of forests and woods, with here steep hills crowned with clumps of trees, and there villages newly built in a riot of colour and style. Smile and say Boo Naa (Hello) and you’ll meet open-faced strangers who say all the country people show ‘hospitality, flexibility, honesty’. The message is that tourists are welcome.

Key Information

Trip Code: W07RM
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
Countries: Romania

What's Included

Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of *** and ****
All breakfasts and 2 dinners
Luggage transfers between hotels
Headwater Navigation App

6 days of Walking & Trekking

Terrain:

You mostly follows tracks and paths through forest and meadows. On most days the walks will start and finish on country roads as you depart and arrive in the villages, these are sometimes tarmacked but more often are gravel.

Day 2: 17 km / 10.6 miles
Day 3: 13 km / 8.1 miles
Day 4: 18 km / 11.2 miles
Day 5: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Day 6: 8 km / 5 miles
Day 7: 16 km / 9.9 miles

Highlights

Visit historic old towns with many intriguing castles, including Dracula`s Castle itself
Walk along the impressive Zarnesti gorge, carved through the solid limestone
Rise through the Carpathian lower reaches, a green land full of mysterious woodlands

Itinerary

First Destination: Brasov
Next Destination: Zarnesti

Meals included:None

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:None

First Destination: Brasov
Next Destination: Zarnesti

After your flight to Bucharest or Sibiu you will be transferred to your first hotel in Brasov (2hr 20 min from either airport). This transfer is included if we book your flights, or an optional extra if you book your own. Spend the rest of the day exploring this rich city, with its own castle, famous Black Church, historic old town and viewpoints over the city.

If you didn’t have time when you arrived, it is worth spending a while exploring Brasov before commencing your walk. Leaving the streets of Brasov behind, you enter the forest and ascend up to a more open area of pastures. This provides a nice contrast to the first section of the walk. Easy walking takes you to the high point for the day where you re-enter the forest for a winding descent to Rasnov. The route is generally well way-marked. There is a chance to visit Rasnov castle when you arrive.

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Known locally as Calea Haiducilor, which translates as Path of the Outlaws, you follow a forested track all the way to the village of Sohodol. Gradually climbing through pine forest until you reach a clearing with views over the surrounding mountains and villages. You are getting increasingly close to the mighty Carpathian Mountains. From Sohodol you descend to the small town of Bran, with its magnificent castle.

Meals included:Breakfast

Leaving Bran, you walk towards the mountains until well within the forest. From there, you have a climb through forest until you are rewarded with alpine views down to your destination and a magnificent panorama of mountains. Thereafter you descend steeply through pastures straight down to Moieciu de Sus

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Another varied day – and the longest walk of the trek. Apart from fairly short sections in the forest, much of the time you will be walking past farms and through villages, but with the impressive Carpathians often in view.

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

There are two circular routes today, which can be undertaken as a single, figure-of-eight route, passing your accommodation part way through the day.

The first route provides ample opportunity to see rural life and farming practices whilst enjoying magnificent views of the mountains. You pass caves in limestone cliffs which are home to several bat species. It is essential to take a torch if you wish to go in.

The second option is relatively short but involves a very steep ascent and quite a steep descent, followed by an easy walk back to Magura. You go up and behind the rocky summits visible from your accommodation and it feels quite remote up there. The views are great – you will see your routes to the south and over to Zarnesti to the north and across to Rasnov, as well as the huge ranges of the Craiului and Bucegi mountains.

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

This is a spectacular day to complete the trek, walking in the Piatra Craiului National Park. After a steep descent from Magura, you walk along the impressive Zarnesti gorge, carved through the limestone. A lengthy ascent then follows up to the trek’s high point with superb views. A descent through forest and pasture land takes you down to the valley and an easy walk to your accommodation.

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

You are transferred to Bucharest or Sibiu airport (2hrs 30 mins), in time for your flight home. This transfer is included if we book your flights, or an optional extra if you book your own.

Dates & Prices

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Accommodation

Hotels

CURTEA BRASOVEANA, BRASOV

Located in the oldest part of Brasov “Scheii Brasovului”, Curtea Brasoveana is classified by the Ministry of Tourism as a 4* boarding house. Curtea Brasoveana combines modernity with tradition. Rooms are comfortable and very well appointed with a TV, Telephone, WIFI and hairdryer. They also have a fitness centre, sauna and laundry facilities.

PENSIUNEA CASA RASNOVEANA, RASNOV

This small country inn is classified locally as a 3* resort, however it only has 6 rooms, and is a long way from the sea. You will however be assured of an excellent welcome from the owners who are very proud of their hotel. The rooms are simple but clean with showers rather than baths. Dinner is taken in the small restaurant just 300m from the guesthouse, and you will be assured of a hearty traditional Romanian dinner. There is a small garden to relax in with views of the Rasnov Citadel. The hotel will provide a picnic lunch if booked the night before. All rooms have private bathroom with WC, shower and hairdryer.

PENSIUNEA CASA DIN BRAN INN CUISINE, BRAN

Located just 5 mins from the World Famous ‘Draculas’ Castle, Pensuinea Casa Din Bran Inn Cuisine provides lovely bright rooms with wooden floors and private balconies where you can enjoy the mountain air.

All rooms have free Wi-Fi, television, and private bathroom with WC, shower/bath and hairdryer.

PENSIUNEA VLAHIA INN, MOIECIU DE SUS

Located in the heart of the mountains, this small, modern hotel was built by a local family. Each room is stylishly decorated and some have a balcony. Dinner is taken in the restaurant and will feature local specialities.

All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, television, telephone and private bathroom with WC, shower and hairdryer.

PENSIUNEA HODAITA, MAGURA

With sustainability as its core value, Pensiunea Hodaita is in the village of Magura, idyllically located at the top of a hill, at the foot of the Pietrei Craiului mountains. The rooms are well equipped with simple but elegant furnishings, and outside they have a lovely picnic area and sun terrace where you can enjoy your beautiful mountain surroundings. They provide an excellent dinner and breakfast.

PENSIUNEA HORA CU BRAZI, ZARNESTI

Located near the entrance of Piatra Craiului National Park, this is a traditional Pension where you will receive a friendly welcome. There is a garden and most rooms have a balcony. Traditional meals are freshly prepared from local produce and can be enjoyed on the terrace if the weather is good. Rooms are comfortable, airy and spacious, each with a seating area, flat screen TV, and en suite bathroom with toiletries and hairdryer provided.

Essential Information

The tour normally begins at the start hotel in BRASOV.

Romania

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Romania. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

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We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.