Transylvania & the Carpathian mountains walking holidays

We will start our walking holiday in Transylvania with an easy hike around Biertan, on Via Transilvanica, the walking trail aiming to connect Romania from north to south. We will hike on the hills around the village, through oak tree forests and enjoy the splendid views of the fortified church and pastel houses around the church.

Lunch can be a picnic on the heights above the village, or we can arrange a home-cooked meal at one of the villagers.

After the hike, we can visit the church and learn more about the secrets hidden inside of the walls: the sacristy door, the guilds flags, the enigmatic inscriptions on the walls, the Turkish rugs and the divorce prison.

At the end of the day, we will go to Sighisoara, for a walking tour of the citadel.

Overnight in Sibiu or in the villages in the area.

hiking distance: 8 kilometres; altitude gain: 300 m
driving time: 3 hours

Today we have several options: a 10 kilometres hike between Rasinari and Cisnadioara, offering splendid views of the 2 villages or a medium-level hike in the mountains around Sibiu (600 meters altitude gain, 7 kilometres long). If we choose the hike in the mountains we can see also the shepherds’ huts and even enjoy cheese tasting from the shepherds.

Overnight in Sibiu or in the villages in the area.

hiking distance: 10 kilometres; altitude gain: 300 m or 7 kilometres with 600 meters altitude gain
driving time: 3 hours

Today we are hiking in the Fagaras Mountains, the highest mountains of Romanian Carpathians. We leave Sibiu and after 1.5 hours drive, we reach Transfagarasan road, and after an hour drive on the sinuous road, we arrive at Balea Lake. From there we start our hike of the day, starting climbing to the main ridge of the Fagaras mountains, on our way to Capra Peak. During the hike, we can enjoy magnificent views over Transfagarasan road, Balea Lake and Capra Lake or the other peaks of the Fagaras mountains. After the hike, we will head to Sibiu (1.5 hours drive) where we will spend the night.

Overnight in Sibiu or in the villages in the area
Distance: 5 km, altitude gain: 600 m

We leave Sibiu and head to Hunedoara, where we will visit one of the most beautiful castles in Europe: the Corvin Castle. Then, we will head to Apuseni mountains where we drive on a gravel road to reach a remote hamlet, up in the mountains. There, we will visit the alpenhorn singer, who will unveil for us the secret messages of the alpenhorn sounds. The lady can also prepare dinner for us, or can cook for us the famous local cheese pies.

Overnight in Apuseni mountains

hiking distance: 6 kilometres; altitude gain: 200 m
driving time: 5 hours

Today we will discover a different world, that of the inhabitants of the hidden summer hamlet in the Apuseni mountains. The inhabitants live there only from May to September, and their main occupations are agriculture and forestry. They lead a very simple life, some of their summer huts don’t even have electricity, but they are happy to meet strangers and talk to them.

Overnight in Apuseni mountains

hiking distance: 4 kilometres; altitude gain: 200 m
driving time: 2 hours

We are spending the last day in Apuseni mountains heading to Rimetea, the village where 90% of the population is belonging to the Hungarian minority living in Transylvania. Arrived in Rimetea, we will spend the afternoon exploring the village, admiring the beautiful white houses with green window frames and red flowers, discovering the secrets of the gates symbols and getting a splendid view of Piatra Secuiului mountain.

Then, at the end of the program, we will drive you to your departure city, if you decide to leave Transylvania after the trip. It can be Sibiu or Cluj, the cities with an international airport closest to Rimetea.

hiking distance: 5 kilometres; altitude gain: 100 m
driving time: 4 hours