Romania Adventure: Hiking, History, and Culture

Begin your adventure with a scenic 3-hour drive across the Carpathian Mountains to Transylvania. Upon arrival, enjoy a short, picturesque hike to the "Transylvania Amphitheater," offering stunning mountain panoramas. Settle into a cozy lodge in Bran, a charming town at the edge of Bucegi National Park, where you'll stay for multiple nights.

Start with a gentle hike through a narrow limestone canyon, a collapsed ancient cave creating the breathtaking Zarnesti Gorges. After a 3-hour trek, arrive at Curmatura chalet for a hearty lunch on the terrace, surrounded by jagged peaks and enchanting meadows. Return via an alternate route showcasing the dramatic western ridge of Bucegi National Park.

Stats: 16 km, 600m ascent/descent, ~5 hours.

After a short 10-minute drive to the trailhead, we’ll begin a gentle ascent through a pastoral landscape dotted with grazing sheep, chickens, and cows. In just 45 minutes, we’ll reach Maguricea, a tiny, remote village where houses perch on mountainsides without roads or electricity—a place where time seems to stand still. After another 2 hours, we’ll reach the day’s highest point, where we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch with stunning views.

On the descent, we’ll explore the scenic Magura Village before visiting the iconic Bran Castle in the afternoon. Learn how this 14th-century fortress inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula legend before returning to our lodge in Bran.
Stats: 14 km, 300m ascent/descent, ~5 hours.

Today, we’ll take it a bit easier with a visit to the medieval city of Brasov. As a young fugitive prince, Dracula spent several years here, relying on the support of this important Saxon community. Enjoy a guided walk through the 13th-century town, featuring highlights like the Council Square, the Gothic Black Church (blackened by a fire 300 years ago), and Rope Street—one of the narrowest streets in Europe.

Later, hike to the top of Mount Tampa for a panoramic view of Brasov 200 meters below. Return to Bran for the night.
Stats: 2.5-hour hike.

Today’s hike begins at 1,100 meters and ascends to the scenic Strunga saddle at 1,900 meters, where we’ll cross the historic border between Transylvania and Wallachia. World War I trenches are still visible here, a reminder of the fierce battles fought in this area. After a picnic lunch, we’ll continue around a jagged ridge and descend through a small opening in the rock. Return to our lodge in Bran for the night.
Stats: 18 km, 900m ascent/descent, ~6.5 hours.

Explore Viscri, a timeless village where life continues as it did centuries ago. Visit its UNESCO-listed fortress-church, where villagers once sought refuge from invaders. Viscri is so special that King Charles III of Britain bought a house here! In the afternoon, we’ll travel to Sighisoara, a magnificent medieval fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is where Vlad Dracul (Dracula’s father) lived in exile and where his son, Vlad Dracula, was born. Enjoy dinner at Dracula’s House and spend the night in a 400-year-old hotel within the citadel.

Visit the UNESCO-listed Biertan Fortified Church, a stunning example of Transylvanian architecture that served as the Evangelic Episcopal See for 300 years. Later, explore the Turda Salt Mine, an underground marvel ranked by Business Insider as the most beautiful underground place in the world. Overnight in Turda.

Hike through the spectacular Turda Gorges, where lush forests, limestone cliffs, hidden caves, and surreal rock formations create a captivating natural landscape.

Visit the Corvin Hunyad Castle – Among the most accomplished Gothic castles in Europe. The impressive size and architectural beauty set it among Romania’s most precious monuments of medieval art.

Sibiu – probably the most vibrant city in Transylvania – the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2007.

Sibiu City tour – Walk around the historical center of Sibiu to discover the superb “Large Square” surrounded by quaint pedestrian cobbled streets and centuries-old houses. The Liars Bridge – where traitors (liars) used to be hanged from and. According to the legend, the bridge should collapse if you lie while you are on the bridge

Spend the night in Sibiu 3*** Hotel

Traverse the Carpathian mountains on the Transfagarasan Highway – the most spectacular road in Romania, The breathtaking road was built in the 80s by the communists, using over 4000 tons of dynamite in 4 years. Thousands of tourists come every year to drive through this magnificent landscape.
We will arrive in Bucharest in the late afternoon.
Drop off at your hotel or airport.

* Please note that the Transfagarasan Highway is only open from July 1 to October 31.  If the Transfagarasan highway is closed we will take the Olt Valley alternative