Overview
An eight day, self-guided Romanian adventure, walking in Transylvania and Piatra Craiului National Park. Starting and ending in Brașov, a 12th-century walled Saxon town with fairytale-like cobbled streets, red turrets and enveloping forest slopes. As well as some colossal Carpathian climbs, including Zărnești Gorges and the dramatic ridges of the Piatra Craiului range, you trek to some traditional remote Transylvanian villages, and immerse yourself in traditional Transylvanian life. You also spend a night in Bran with a chance to visit Bran Castle which, as well as being a magnificent national monument and landmark in Transylvania, is the alleged setting for Stoker’s novel.
- Brașov
- Bran Castle
- Piatra Craiului National park
- Rasnov Fortress
- Zărnești Gorges
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Brașov
Arrive in Brașov and, depending on time of arrival, take time to explore this 12th-century, walled Saxon town which not only has fairytale-like cobbled streets, red turrets and enveloping forest slopes, but also features in Grimms’ Pied Piper. A must visit is the vast Gothic Biserica Neagră, or Black Church, and ancient Piața Sfatului or Council Square.
- Accommodation: Safrano Palace or similar in Brașov
Day 2: Brașov – Bran | 5km
After breakfast, hike to Tampa Mountain (960m) overlooking Brașov, with its iconic Hollywood-style sign of the town’s name and similarly iconic view over the town. Alternatively, take the cable car to the top and descend on foot. Meet your diver for a transfer to Bran (40mins), where we recommend visiting Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle (payable locally).
- Walking for the day: 5km, 2h, ↑260m ↓270m
- Accommodation: Casa Din Bran or similar in Bran
Day 3: Bran – Moieciu de Sus | 18km
Leaving Bran, walk south towards the mountains heading through the forest, before turning west to climb up and over a ridge to the next valley. From there, begin the ascent again through the forest to be rewarded with alpine views out to your final destination for the evening, the traditional mountain village of Moieciu de Sus.
- Walking for the day: 18km, 5.5h, ↑710m ↓510m
- Accommodation: Vlahia Inn or similar in Moieciu de Sus
Day 4: Moieciu de Sus – Măgura | 15km
Today’s trek goes deep into Piatra Craiului mountain range, also known as the stone fortress of the Carpathians, famous for its dramatically jagged ridges. The route features a variety of trails and sights of little farms scattered around the pastures. On your way, you may see honey buzzards and lesser spotted eagles. The day comes to a close in Măgura, a village at 1,000m, in the heart of Piatra Craiului National Park. Spend the next two nights in a guesthouse in Măgura.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 5h, ↑620m ↓570m
- Accommodation: Pensiunea Pepino or similar in Măgura
Day 5: Circular walk Măgura | 7 to 8.5km
Today there are two route options to try. The first takes you to the mountain village of Pestera, and the second scales a ridge offering views of the Piatra Craiului massif. The two options for today, can be undertaken as a single, figure-of-eight route extending the distance to 15.5km.
- Walking for the day (option one): 8.5km, 3h ↑240m ↓240m
- Walking for the day (option two): 7km, 2.5h, ↑310m ↓310m
- Accommodation: Pensiunea Pepino or similar in Măgura
Day 6: Măgura – Zărnești | 15km
Another day of hiking in Piatra Craiului National Park, start out from the guesthouse by crossing Zărnești Gorges and then up to Curmatura mountain hut. After taking a break for lunch, continue on to the guesthouse in Zărnești, a town that’s enveloped by the Carpathians and Piatra Craiului massif.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 5h, ↑590m ↓850m
- Accommodation: Hora cu Brazi or similar in Zărnești
Day 7: Rasnov – Brașov | 17km
The day starts with a short transfer (30mins) to Poiana Brașov which is one of the most popular skiing destinations in Romania. Trek to the top of Mount Postăvaru (1,799m) or take the cable car (payable locally) where there are, not surprisingly, superb views. From here, continue along part of the national Blue Trail, an easy trail which is open all year round and is suitable for hikers of all levels, before descending to Brașov. The city offers tourists a blend of medieval history, culture and scenic natural beauty.
- Walking for the day: 17km, 6.5h, ↑730m ↓1180m
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel Safrano Palace or similar in Brașov
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Safrano Palace (Brașov)
- Casa Din Bran (Bran)
- Vlahia Inn (Moieciu de Sus)
- Pensiunea Pepino (Măgura)
- Hora cu Brazi (Zărnești)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days as well as two dinners. When no restaurant is available on route lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your accommodation the night before.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated moderate and therefore would suit reasonably experienced walkers (no high mountain experience required) with an average level of fitness. The longest day is 22km (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
Bear encounters.
While bears are present in the areas on this trip, encounters with them are rare. However, it is highly recommended that you make your presence known by carrying bells or buying bear spray “spray de ursi” as a precaution.
When to go
This trip is available April until October. Transylvania is one of the cooler regions in Romania and therefore temperatures during the summer are pleasant. The weather is best in June – September when maximum temperatures are around 23-27C.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your holiday on any date in the season – so please indicate desired starting date when booking. For more information, see our blog, Best time to go to Romania.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) and Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport (GHV).
By train or bus
- If you are able to travel to Romania without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail with train stations in Brașov, Bucharest and Sibiu. For more details, see the national rail operator CFR or Regio Călători or use the Omio planner above.
- There are regular direct train services between Bucharest and Brașov. The train journey is approximately 2h 30mins. For more details, see the national rail operator CFR or Regio Călători or use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts
- 2 evening meals
- Transfer Brašov– Bran
- Transfer Zarnesti – Poiana Brașov
- Daily luggage transport to the next hotel
- Detailed pre-departure holiday information pack including regularly updated route descriptions and road notes; maps with daily routes and optional hikes marked (Please note that the info pack is emailed to you prior to departure and no printed documents are mailed or provided on-site)
- GPX tracks
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, five dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers
- Extra nights along the trail are bookable upon request
- Private airport transfers
