- Date: 25th of August – 1st of September 2024
- Private Dates: July – End of September
The Fagaras mountains, often referred to as the ‘Alps of Transylvania’, provide the opportunity for one of Europe’s best ridge walks. This immense ridge with stunning views along the way is revealed in all its glory, culminating with an ascent of Piscu Negru (2,222 metres), the second highest peak in Romania.
After the nights in the mountain we spend one night in the wonderful, historic city of old Brasov and trek trough rural Transylvania with a visit of Dracula castle.
Staying in mountain Chalets and tents provides great opportunities for stargazing, bringing you closer to the night sky and a fantastic end to a day of walking. In Brasov we sleep in a historic Hotel and spend one night in a wonderful guest house in a “lost in time” village with a local family.
“This is a land steeped in tradition, history and ancient rituals… a land inviting you to explore deeper into some of Europe’s last remaining and most spectacular wilderness.”
Daily Itinerary for Romania – Alps of Transylvania hiking:
Day 1: Bucharest to Sebesu de Sus
We meet at the airport in Bucharest and travel to the north together to our hiking start in Sebesu de Sus located in the Moasa valley. On the way we stop for lunch at Viscri, one of Romania’s most unique villages built in the 12th century. Viscri is one of the few Romanian villages to be included in the UNESCO patrimony, and it’s listed as one of the world’s most beautiful villages.
- Night at guesthouse in Sebesul de Sus,L/D
Day 2: Suru Chalet, 1450m
After breakfast we start our hiking tour into the wild Fagaras Mountains. We hike up to the newly renovated Suru mountain Chalet. The perfect stop to start our Fagras ridge traverse from West do East.
- Hike: 9.3km, + 1061m, – 91m, B/L/D
- Night and dinner at Suru mountain Chalet
Day 3: Avrig Lake, 2004m
On the way to Avrig mountain lake we stop at Curmatura Surului peak (2153m) for breathtaking views and a picnic. Curmatura Rosiilor and Budislavu peak are our next destinations before preparing our camp for the night next to the lake.
- Hike: 8.9km, +988m, – 408m, B/L/D
- Night in tents
Day 4: Caltun Lake (2134m) and Negoiu Peak(2535m)
We keep following Romanias longest mountain ridge today and ascend several peaks along the way. With Negoiu Peak we ascend the second highest peak in Romania today. This is a beautiful hike in a stunning landscape with great views.
- Hike: 9.3km, +1135m, – 1025m, B/L/D
- Night in tents
Day 5: Balea Lac , Laitan Peak (2397m) and Laitel Peak (2390m)
After a good breakfast, we will start climbing Laitan and Laitel peak. After a picnic we descend to our last glacier lake, the deep blue Balea Lac and the road pass where the most scenic road of Romania passes, the Transfagarasan road.
We travel by privat transport to the old medieval town of Brasov. Here, the myths and legends, fantasies and facts of legendary Transylvania become entwined.
Our Hotel is placed in the medieval heart of Brasov, an architectural jewel of the 18th century, finely restored to the smallest details of the original indoor painting and brought back to life in the form of an intimate boutique hotel.
- Hike: 5.2km, 559m, – 660m, B/L/D
- Night at Hotel in Brasov
Day 6: Brasov cultural walk and Black Church
Fringed by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains and resplendent with gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture, Brasov is one of the most beautiful and visited places in Romania.
After our days in the mountains we spend the morning with a cultural walk in the fascinating old Transylvanian town of Brasov. We visit the over 600 year old Black Church and fortifications.
In the afternoon we take an easy hike up to the mountain village of Magura. This area takes you back into history and to little changed villages in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains.
- Night at traditional mountain guest house, B/L/D
Day 7: Rural mountain villages walk and Dracula’s castle
After a delicious breakfast at the guest house that is located at a high altitude, and offers stunning views of both the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului mountains we start our hike down to Bran castle.
We might not meet Dracula, but walking from Bran to Magura village, takes you back into history.
Bran Castle is a beautiful medieval castle, built on the rocky hilltop, in 1377 by Transylvanian Saxons with the authorisation of King Louis I of Hungary. After the visit a Taxi brings us back to Magura.
In Magura we spend the last night in the mountains in a wonderful local guest house and get treated to local specialities.
- Hike: 13km, + 700m, – 800m
- Night at Guest house in Magura, B/L/D
Day 8: Travel back to Bucharest
After breakfast we travel to Bucharest by a fast train (2.5hrs) where this tour ends.
Costs:
- 6 hiker: 1616.00€ / hiker
- 8 hikers: 1326.00€ / hiker
- 10 hikers: 1152.00€ / hiker
Included in the costs: Organisation, UIMLA-mountainleader, all nights with half board as mentioned above in standard double rooms in hotels and dorms in the hut, rental for the tents, all ground transportation from Bucharest airport and back to Bucharest airport, Bran castle visit
Map:
Guide for Romania – Alps of Transylvania hiking:
This tour is guided by Iuliana Enache, born and raised in the Romanian mountains. Iuliana a former mechanical engineer lives with her family in the French Alps since years but knows “her” Transylvanian mountains since her childhood.
Start and End of Romania – Alps of Transylvania hiking tour
This tour starts and ends at Bucharest Henri Coanda International airport (IATA).
Facts About Romania
There is no doubt Romania has been through some troubled times, but since the end of Ceauşescu’s communist regime in 1989 it has gradually been on the up. With many of the conveniences of a western destination, combined with a unique eastern European charm, it offers a great mix of adventure and comfort.
Romania’s terrain is spectacularly varied and rich in wildlife; from forested mountains to white sandy beaches. There are also pretty medieval towns, legendary castles and ancient settlements to visit.
- Currency: Romanian Leu, plural Lei (L) – €1 = approx 5 Lei
- Time Zone: GMT + 2 hours
- Language: Romanian
- Telephone Services: +40 to dial in (00 40 from UK)
The Carpathian Mountains where we will hike
The Carpathian Mountains form the eastern part of the great Central Mountain System of Europe, curving from Slovakia to Romania. The forested terrain is rich in flora and fauna. Nearly 30% of Romanian territory is part of the Carpathian Mountain range.
The Carpathians are thought to contain the highest concentration of large carnivores in Europe, with brown bears, wolves and lynx all roaming free.
The Southern Carpathians offer the highest peaks. Moldoveanu Peak is the highest at 2,544 metres. Piatra Craiului, ‘The Rock of the King’, also in the south, is one of Romania’s best-loved mountains. The beauty of the landscape and fragility of the rare species inhabiting it, earn its status as a protected national park.
Transylvania
The area of Transylvania, covering parts of central and western Romania, is widely associated with vampire mythology. Bran Castle, just outside Brasov, is thought to have inspired the setting for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The image of high mountain peaks, wooded valleys and looming castles is not inaccurate but Romanians are keen to emphasise that there is more to the region than ghost stories.
Accommodation
We spend the first night in a guesthouse in private double rooms with en-suite bathrooms followed by a night in a mountain hut in dorms. Night 3 and 4 is spent in tents that we can rent in Romania or you can also bring your own. Night 5 is spend in a beautiful, historic Hotel in Brasov town in private double rooms with en-suite bathrooms, before our last 2 night at a wonderful guest house in a mountain village in private double rooms.
Packing list for Romania Alps of Transylvania hiking
For the first 3 nights, you will be carrying all your belongings as we sleep in a hut on the first night and then two nights in the tent.
- 1 pair of hiking boots or shoes
- functional underwear
- 1 long sleeve shirt
- 2 T-shirts
- 1 fleece or soft-shell jacket
- 1 pair synthetic hiking pants and shorts
- 1 pair light weight pants for the evenings
- 2 pair hiking socks – wool or wool blend
- 1 sun hat, 1 warm hat
- thin Gloves
- 1 set Gore-tex rain gear, pants and jacket
- 1 thin down jacket
Gear:
- 1 backpack around 35-40L with rain cover
- 1 water bottle, thermos bottle with cub, tab water is drinkable and we can fill the bottles at creeks and fountains
- Sleeping bag, Therma-rest mat, camping bowl and cutlery,
- Headlamp
- Sunglasses
- Personal toiletries
- Sun lotion
- Lightweight shower towel
- Earplugs
- Soap for hand washing your clothes
- 1 pair trekking poles
- Light weight slippers for the huts
- Camera
- Personal medicaments
- Hand sanitiser
- Cash in Lei, Credit card
- Passport
- Phone with charger
- Plastic bags to keep everything dry in your backpack
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