Explore the wild peaks of Romania, enjoying daily treks and summiting several mountains with an expert tour leader
Discover the Transylvanian Alps on foot, a mountain range in south-central Romania known in the hiking world for its wild landscapes. The trip is challenging but the rewards great. We have the chance to summit several peaks and spend two nights in mountain cabins to aid our ascents. For the most part, however, we base ourselves at Villa Hermani, a family-run guesthouse in the quaint village of Magura.
Highlights
Discover the most scenic trails in the Transylvanian Alps with an expert tour leader
Summit several mountains on a two-day trek around the Ascutit Peak Trail
Hike to the top of La Om, the highest peak in Piatra Craiului National Park
Get into the wilderness with two nights in remote mountain cabins
Enjoy Romanian hospitality at the family-run Villa Hermani
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.
Start
Finish
Availability
Land Only Trip Price
Optional Single Supplement
Saturday
Saturday
27 Jun 2026
27 Jun 2026
Saturday
Saturday
04 Jul 2026
04 Jul 2026
AvailabilityGuaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip PriceUsually USD 2023Now USD 1620Saving USD 403Usually USD 2023Now Saving USD 403
Book with USD 500 deposit
Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement+USD 345
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Land Only Trip PriceUSD 2025
Book with USD 506 deposit
Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement+USD 345
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Land Only Trip PriceUSD 2175
Book with USD 543 deposit
Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement+USD 360
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Land Only Trip PriceUSD 2175
Book with USD 543 deposit
Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement+USD 360
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Land Only Trip PriceUSD 2175
Book with USD 543 deposit
Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement+USD 360
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Land Only Trip PriceUSD 2175
Book with USD 543 deposit
Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement+USD 360
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Our family-run guesthouse, and home for most of the week, is in the quaint village of Magura within Piatra Craiului National Park. It is approximately 105mi (170km) from Bucharest Airport and takes around 3hr 30min to reach by road.
Therefore, we highly recommend you join the group transfer – speak to your sales representative to find out the transfer times. Due to the late arrival of the group transfer, dinner tonight is a light snack.
Classic accommodation: Villa Hermani
Meals included: Dinner
Day
2
First leg of the Ascutit Peak Trail
Over the next two days we tackle the Ascutit Peak Trail, a circular hike taking in some of the major peaks in Piatra Craiului National Park. Pack your overnight bag before we leave, which should include the essentials, such as a spare T-shirt, fleece, toiletries and a small towel.
We start the hike from the front door of our guesthouse, descending to Botorog Fountain. From here, we hike mainly through forests and alpine meadows to the summit of Piatra Mica (5,958ft/1,816m), where we can take a moment to enjoy 360-degree views over unbroken forests towards Brasov.
We then descend through rocky patches and scree, sometimes using ropes, to Cabana Curmatura, our home for tonight. Staying here gives us more time for tomorrow’s hike, a longer day in which we complete the trail and tackle Ascutit.
Leaving our mountain cabin after breakfast, we start our hike to the summit of Turnu Peak. It takes us through forest to a viewpoint, after which the landscape becomes rocky – during the ascent, there are some sections in which we need to scramble.
There are ropes to help our climb on the first part of the rocky trail. From the top, we follow the ridge to the top of Ascutit (6,998ft/2,133m). We then descend back down to Cabana Curmatura following a different route, after which we cut through forests and across pastures to Magura.
We summit La Om today, the highest mountain in the national park at 7,343ft (2,238m). We start with a one-hour drive to Plaiul Foii. From here, we take the Deubel trail, hiking through meadows and forest up to an area of rocks and scree. From this rocky section to the peak, the trail has very exposed parts and involves lots of scrambling. However, there are several cables to secure the trail!
From the top, we descend through Alpine meadows (with some rocky sections) to Grind shelter. It’s then to La Table, a meeting point for multiple trails, before hiking through forest to the village of Pestera and continuing to Magura.
Please note: This trail can only be attempted in dry weather. If it rains, the tour leader provides an alternative option.
We take a one-hour drive this morning to the foot of Piatra Mare, a 6,181ft (1,884m) mountain that we can attempt to summit today. Our hike up takes us on gravel paths and forest lanes. It also takes us through the Seven Ladders Canyon, a spectacular route along a rocky path, past waterfalls, up metal ladders, and within the steep walls of the gorge.
From the top of Piatra Mare, we head back to our start point on a different route through forest.
Today, we drive (one hour) to our start point, Cabana Gura Diham, on the east side of Bucegi mountain. From here, we follow a marked trail through the forests until we reach Poiana Pichetul Rosu, a meadow where multiple trails unite. Then follow the Take Ionescu Trail to Cabana Malaiesti. Our accommodation for the night has a scenic spot in the Malaiesti Valley, allowing us to relax and enjoy the wild beauty of Romania before we tackle Omu Peak tomorrow.
We start today’s hike from Cabana Malaiesti, with the goal of standing on top of Omu Peak, one of the highest mountains in Romania at 8,218ft (2,505m). The route first cuts through the Malaiesti Valley, before we take the Brana Caprelor (Goats’ Ledge), a narrow path clinging to the seemingly vertical wall of Bucsoiu mountain. After summiting Bucsoiu, we take the Bucsoiu Ridge to Omu Peak.
From the top, we descend through Alpine meadows (with some rocky parts) and forest to the village of Simon, where we’re met by our transfer, and return to Magura.
The adventure comes to an end after breakfast. Bid a fond farewell to the guesthouse, which may feel like a second home by now, and begin your return journey home.
Meals included: Breakfast
Essential Info
Is this trip for you?
The trip is rated Activity Level 5 (Challenging). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Suitability: This trip is one of our most testing Activity Level 5 (Challenging) adventures − in part due to the difficulty of the La Om ascent (Day 4). Therefore, it is only suitable for hikers with mountain experience and very good fitness.
Route: We follow mountain paths throughout, which are generally well maintained. There is a significant amount of scrambling, including on steep sections – particularly on the Day 4 ascent of La Om. Therefore it is not suitable for vertigo sufferers.
Ascents and descents: The longest days can have an ascent of up to 4,879ft (1,487m) followed by a similar descent. This means walking uphill for approximately five hours and the same down again.
Itinerary: The walking hours stated in the day-to-day itinerary, which include lunch and photo stops, are given as approximates only and vary depending on your group’s pace. Additionally, the itinerary may be followed in a different order for various reasons, such as weather and local conditions, but we still cover all the listed activities.
Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Joining Instructions
Key details
Guesthouse: Villa Hermani, Sat Magura 130, Măgura 507133 Phone: +40 740 022 384 Airport: Bucharest (OTP)
Getting to the guesthouse
Villa Hermani is approximately a 3hr 30min drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:
Take an Exodus transfer
Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
Make your own way
It’s not possible to reach Villa Hermani by public transport. We therefore highly recommend joining the group transfer where possible. If not, a cab from the airport costs around €200. On arrival, please make the staff aware that you are part of an Exodus group and they will have more details on meeting with the tour leader and group
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to Bucharest Airport (OTP) for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and tuberculosis (TB). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Passport
Remember to check the expiration date of your passport if travelling internationally. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after the date of your scheduled return.
Visa
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.
All breakfasts, six packed lunches and seven dinners are included.
Meals are a mixture of fresh local produce and Romanian/Transylvanian dishes.
Transylvanian cuisine is influenced by several traditions and cultures (German, Hungarian and Romanian) but maintains a distinct character with a love for homemade cooking. Soups are a staple, main meals tend to be hearty with a strong focus on local produce, while desserts are varied and plentiful.
Breakfasts are usually a small buffet including an egg dish, cold cuts, cheeses, boiled eggs, vegetables, spreads, bread, cereals, juice, herbal teas and coffee.
Lunches included on this trip are usually self-made sandwiches – choose your own fillings from the morning buffets.
Each evening there is a choice between a meat or vegetarian dish. Dinner on the first evening is typically a light snack (cold platters with local food and bread) due to the late arrival of the group.
Vegetarian and special diets can be catered for, but options can be limited in Romania – please inform us of any specific requirements upon booking.
Weather
Romania has warm summers and snowy winters. Rainfall is usually quite low except in the mountains; spring and summer are the wetter seasons. The weather changes abruptly from winter to summer and spring is generally short. The mountains can be blanketed in snow until late May at higher altitudes. Summer days are often long and warm with 10 to 11 hours of sunshine, while nights can range from pleasantly warm in the lower valleys to cold at higher elevations. September temperatures tend to be lower than those in July and August but changeable weather with cloud, rain and chilly daytime temperatures can occur at any time of the year. Expect temperatures in the village to be lower than Bucharest.
Villa Hermani and two mountain cabins
For most of the adventure we stay at Villa Hermani, though we also spend two nights in Simple mountain huts as we venture into the wilds of the Transylvanian Alps.
Magura: Villa Hermani (nights 1 and 4-7)
We spend five nights in Villa Hermani, a private guesthouse in the remote village of Magura. It’s ideally situated for our adventure, sitting within Piatra Craiului National Park. The property has twin and single rooms in a range of sizes and styles, almost all of which have private facilities (there are two rooms that share one bathroom). Our friendly hosts, German couple Hermann and Katharina Kurmes, possess a wealth of knowledge on Transylvania, wildlife conservation and serve delicious homemade food.
Mountain cabins: Cabana Curmatura and Cabana Malaiesti (nights 2 and 6)
We also spend two nights in Simple mountain cabins, allowing us to venture deep into the Romanian wilderness. In the evenings, we can mingle with other hikers or enjoy the beautiful settings, before retiring to our bunk beds.
We have allocated beds in the cabins which means that we may need to share the cabins with guests who are not part of our group. The rooms usually have 20 beds. Blankets are provided.
Worth knowing
There are no showers or indoor toilets in the mountain cabins, and we are staying in mixed dorm rooms with bunk beds. You may be sharing with other guests who are not part of our group.
Single supplement is not available in the mountain cabins.
There are no plug sockets in the mountain cabins. From 10pm, the generators are shut down, so you should bring a torch (flashlight) and powerbank with you.
This is a tough week (and I’ve done Kilimanjaro/TMB/Toubkal). Don’t underestimate it. Someone told me that in Romania the trails just go straight up – no zigzags and they really do! The ascents one the first two days are quite technical scrambles /climbs and the descents are absolutely knee-wrecking. So be ready for that and you’ll have a fabulous time!
Most Inspirational Moment
The climb/scramble up to La Om was something I'd never done before and it was quite challenging. Also both legs of the Ascutit Peak trail - it really was beautiful up there.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sebi was great as was Leo (and his bear impressions!)
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just don't underestimate this but if you're ready for some scrambling in an unspoilt area then go for it!
Melissa Barney
Reviewed September 2025
Transylvania Alps
In general, this was a wonderful trip. Or, as the British hikers on the trip would have said, “Brilliant.” However, the six days of hiking actually included a fare amount of scrambling (especially on day 3) — and scrambling is different from hiking. The course description does not adequately describe the amount of and the challenges of scrambling versus hiking. I strongly recommend that you include the amount of scrambling in your course description AND include either a link to a video showing what scrambling is and how to do it or make and include your own video.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching the summit on day 3 after a steep hike and long segment of scrambling.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The two group leaders were excellent: patient with the range of hiker abilities, friendly, and (most importantly) safe.
Chris Beecham
Reviewed July 2025
Tough walking but beautiful scenary and culture
I joined this tour because I wanted a mountain hiking adventure in a place I hadn’t been before. The journey to Villa Hermani is like going back in time, travelling first through the flat plains, then through a rather touristy hilly area, then up a dirt track to Magura, a remote village surrounded by hills and mountains.
The itinerary was well planned. There are basically three days in the Piatra Craiului national park with an overnight hut stay to enable the group to summit without a lot of climb. Then two days in the Bucegi mountains again with a hut stay. In between there is a walk through a gorge with 7 ladders.
The group which was high powered and diverse got along well, and creating a Whats App group to share pictures was a great idea.
Unfortunately the weather was mixed and we were unable to summit La Om and Omu because of poor conditions on those days.
I would recommend this tour unreservedly!
Most Inspirational Moment
Up in Cabana Malaieti watching flocks of sheep and the clouds passing over the Bucegi mountains above us.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent! The leader's grandparents were sheep farmers, and he had a wealth of knowledge about the local area, history and wild life. He adapted the itinerary to changing weather conditions and also provided easier alternatives to participants. Worked extremely hard driving the minibus, leading the walks and then sorting out accomodation and ordering meals at the huts. Also the staff at Villa Hermani were friendly.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the trip notes before travelling! This trip requires a high degree of fitness and ability to traverse rugged terrain in a remote area. Facilities at the mountain huts are basic - bring a sheet sleeping bag!
James Baxter
Reviewed July 2025
Enjoyable, tough trek with amazing scenery
This was a tough but thoroughly enjoyable trip in a very beautiful part of the world. The challenging grade is about right; be prepared for a lot of rocky steep ascent and descent including a fair amount of scrambling and using fixed cables/chains. Some parts (particularly the ascent to La Om on Day 4 and the ridge along the top) are pretty exposed. There is a good mix of tougher and somewhat easier days to break things up with some nice forest and meadow sections. The reward is some amazing scenery in a relatively unspoilt part of the world. The whole trip was very well organised and accommodation at Villa Hermani was very clean and comfortable, with friendly hosts and great food. The mountain huts were a good experience but be prepared for very basic toilet and sanitary facilities.
Most Inspirational Moment
The hike up to La Om was a very long and tough day but on reflection was a great achievement. However, the final day's hike from the second mountain hut to Omu Peak was a great way to top the week off with stunning dramatic scenery and 360 degree views all around, and a mostly gentle steady descent back down to near the town of Bran.
Thoughts on Group Leader
I cannot fault our guide Sebi at all. He was incredibly hard working, friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable and passionate about his country, its history and the local area in general. Aside from being an excellent mountain guide he spent all day with us from eating breakfast with us, driving us around, answering countless questions to eating dinner and socialising with us in the evenings. We stayed on for a couple of nights in Brasov and he gave us lots of suggestions of things to do and more to the point what tourist traps to avoid! We are planning to recommend him for guide of the year!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Decent hiking boots are a must and poles are a good idea for those that find they help on steep descents.
Experienced hikers should be fine but if you have any doubts about your fitness I highly recommend doing training walks Exodus suggest.
The mountain huts are basic; take toilet paper, wipes and hand sanitiser! And ear plugs!