Transylvania Walking Holiday
Your Guided Walking Holiday To Transylvania
Trek through alpine meadows, across craggy hilltops and alongside crystalline glacial lakes with us on this guided walking holiday. We’ll spend 5 nights in the charming town of Brasov and, over the course of 5 walking days, explore some of the breathtaking mountain ranges that make up the Carpathians including Piatra Mare, Piatra Craiului and Bucegi Mountains. Encounter unusual rock formations and rugged canyons, and marvel at magnificent views out across some of Romania’s most impressive landscapes. Of course, no stay in Transylvania would be complete without a visit to the imposing medieval fortress of Dracula’s Castle and the country's captivating capital city, Bucharest. With a perfect mix of outdoor activity and cultural sightseeing, this holiday is the best way to discover Romania’s highlights.
This holiday is a leisurely walking level. The average daily walking distance on leisurely walks is between 4km – 13km, with a maximum daily walking duration of 4 hours.
Trip Itinerary
Activity Level: Active
Day
Travel to Romania
Arrive in Bucharest & Transfer to hotel
Upon arrival in Bucharest, you will be met by our friendly local guide and transferred to your hotel in Bucharest where you will stay for two nights.
Accommodation
4 star hotel in Bucharest (2 nights)
Bucharest
Bucharest City Tour
Today you will explore Bucharest during a half-day guided walking tour. Bucharest’s old city centre is well known for its wide Parisian-style boulevards and fascinating Pre-World War I buildings that gave the city the nickname of “Little Paris” in the 1900’s.
Spend your afternoon at leisure strolling along Calea Victoriei, Bucharest’s most famous avenue where the beautiful Romanian Athenaeum, the Royal Palace and the Revolution Square are located.
Welcome Dinner
Come with us this evening for a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. We can reflect on our first day and get to know each other a little better in a relaxed setting.
Bucegi Mountains and Brasov
Bucegi Mountains
We begin our walking today, join us for a mountain walk across the Bucegi Mountains, the number one destination for mountain lovers in Romania. The walk consists of a cable car transfer up Bucegi Plateau, where wind and rain have turned the rocks into spectacular figures such as the Sphinx and Babele. You will then descend to the town of Sinaia, known as the “Pearl of the Carpathians” due to its magnificent mountain scenery and Royal Castle.
Difficulty level: Leisurely / Length: 7.6 km / Incline: 160 m
Transfer to Brasov
In the afternoon we move on to Brasov. Our friendly local guide will assist you in the transfer to our hotel in Brasov, a city in the Transylvania region of Romania. Here you will enjoy a late afternoon city tour of Brasov. Surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, Brasov is well known for its medieval Saxon walls and bastions, the towering Gothic-style Black Church and its lively cafes.
Accommodation
3 star hotel in Brasov (5 nights)
Mesendorf to Viscri
Full day walking
After breakfast, transfer to Mesendorf for a morning hike over the hills of Transylvania towards Viscri. Viscri is famous for the few traditional houses that the Prince of Wales bought, restored and converted into guesthouses for tourists, contributing in this way to a better and sustainable future for the people of rural Transylvania
Difficulty level: Leisurely / Length: 13km / Incline: 250 m / Decline: 240 m / Duration: 3.5 hours
Piatra Craiului Mountains and Bran Castle
Full day guided tour
Today we will explore Piatra Craiului, a 25 km long beautiful mountain range of southern Carpathians. The whole range is part of the Piatra Craiului National Park, an area protecting hundreds of species of flora and fauna / fungi, lichen and mosses, endemic flowers and herbs, spiders, butterflies, amphibians and reptiles as well as over 110 species of birds, 15 species of bat, big mammals such as chamois, wolves, brown bears and lynx. From here, we will visit the famous Dracula’s Castle in Bran. This castle was created by the Saxons in the late 14th century to defend Brasov from invasion by the Turks. Its interior displays rich medieval furniture, which Queen Marie purchased in the 1920's when the castle was used as a royal residence.
Difficulty level: Leisurely / Length: 8.5km / Incline: 335 m / Decline: 385 m / Duration: 4 hours
Libearty Bear Sanctuary to Vulcan
Libearty Bear Sanctuary
Morning excursion to the Libearty Bear Sanctuary at Zarnesti. The sanctuary was founded to care for over 50 bears that had been rescued from captivity as entertainment attractions in Romania. After visiting the sanctuary, we continue with the 2nd part of our walk which consists of 7km across the Transylvanian hills down to the village of Vulcan, where our bus will pick us up for our return to Brasov.
Difficulty level: Leisurely / Length: 10 km / Incline: 200 m / Decline: 250 m / Duration: 4 hours
Transfer to Bucharest
After your walk in the Piatra Mare Mountains you will continue to Bucharest, which will be your base for the remainder of your time in Romania. Upon arrival, you will have the remainder of the day at leisure to settle in.
Accommodation
Piatra Mare Mountains
Piatra Mare
Today’s walking tour takes us to Piatra Mare, a small mountain range located south east of Brasov and very close to the resort of Predeal, a well-known Romanian ski resort. The mountain range is a very popular recreation and hiking area with beautiful panoramic views. During the walk you will reach the Seven Ladders Canyon, which is sure to be the highlight of the day. Seven Ladders Canyon is 160m long and 55m high with 7 main stairs, which you will ascend. The hike will continue towards Piatra Mare Hut, before descending through the forest, back towards the starting point at Dimbu Morii.
Farewell Dinner
Get together this evening for a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers to talk about the highlights of your trip.
Free Time & Return Home
Brasov & Return home
Enjoy some time at leisure in Brasov for any last minute sightseeing or shopping before a transfer from your hotel, with guide assistance, to Bucharest airport for your return flight home.
* We aim to operate your tour itinerary according to the format shown. Occasionally, local conditions and unexpected events may result in adjustments to the planned schedule. We kindly ask for your understanding and flexibility in the event of any changes.
Customer Reviews
Know before you go
What if there is an emergency?
We have local representatives in all of our destinations who are available 24/7 as well as an emergency contact number for our offices in Ireland should you ever need it.
Do I need a Visa?
Please visit our visa page for information on requirements for each country's entry requirements
Will I be met at the airport?
You will be met on arrival at your destination airport and transferred to your accommodation. You will be accompanied on all included excursions by your TD active guide. Your expert local guide is also available to give you tips and advice on any aspect of your holiday.