Current as of: May 9, 2024 - 12:36

Transylvanian Castles Walk

Transylvanian Castles Walk Trip Notes

  • Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
  • Destination: Romania
  • Programmes: Walking & Trekking
  • Activity Level:

    3 out of 7 - Moderate

  • 8 Days: Flight Inclusive
  • 8 Days: Land Only
  • Ages: 18+
  • Trip Code: W07RM

Trip Overview

Enjoy self-guided walking in Romania

‘Every known superstition in the world is gathered into the Carpathians, as if it were the centre of some sort of imaginative whirlpool.’ So says the narrator of Dracula, the late 19th century English novel of Victorian superstitions that used this area of Romania to represent something on the edge of civilisation.

A trip to this part of the world is to enter a maelstrom of natural sensation. There is everywhere a bewildering mass of flora and fauna. Profusions of trees and flowers and grasses are barely touched by agricultural exploitation. Be alert, however, for roe deer and chamois and hedgehogs and rodents, plus the sight and sound of the area’s 190 bird species. Transylvania is a region full of beauty of every kind, sometimes little towns or castles on the top of steep hills.

This trek rises daily through Carpathian lower reaches, a green land full of forests and woods, with here steep hills crowned with clumps of trees, and there villages newly built in a riot of colour and style. Smile and say Boo Naa (Hello) and you’ll meet open-faced strangers who say all the country people show ‘hospitality, flexibility, honesty’. The message is that tourists are welcome.

At a Glance

  • Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of *** and **** hotels
  • All breakfasts and 5 dinners
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • GPX files

Highlights

  • Visit historic old towns with many intriguing castles, including Dracula`s Castle itself
  • Walk along the impressive Zarnesti gorge, carved through the solid limestone
  • Rise through the Carpathian lower reaches, a green land full of mysterious woodlands

Group

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local agent is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of the trip to go through the routes and point out particular places of interest.

Adult min age: 18

Itinerary

Land Only

  • Start City: BRASOV
  • End City: ZARNESTI

Flight Inclusive

  • Start City: London Luton
  • End City: Bucharest

Land Only Itinerary

Day 1
1: ARRIVE IN BRASOV

After your flight to Bucharest or Sibiu you will be transferred to your first hotel in Brasov (2hr 20 min from either airport). This transfer is included if we book your flights, or an optional extra if you book your own. Spend the rest of the day exploring this rich city, with its own castle, famous Black Church, historic old town and viewpoints over the city.

Day 2
2: BRASOV TO RASNOV 17KM/10.5MI/5.5HR/+580M/-580M

Leaving the streets of Brasov behind, you enter the forest and ascend up to a more open area of pastures. This provides a nice contrast to the first section of the walk. Easy walking takes you to the high point for the day. where you re-enter the forest for a winding descent to Rasnov. The route is generally well way-marked. There is a chance to visit Rasnov castle when you arrive.

Day 3
3: RASNOV TO BRAN 15KM/9.5MI/4HRS/+400M/-270M

Today makes a nice contrast with yesterday’s route as there is no forest walking. The walk is in three distinct parts. The first is on completely flat land, thereafter you gradually climb up into hilly terrain getting increasingly close to the mighty Carpathian Mountains. Finally, you reach villages and more houses before descending to the small town of Bran, with its magnificent castle.

Day 4
4: BRAN TO MOIECIU DE SUS 18KM/11.25MI/5HRS/+800M/-600M

Leaving Bran, you walk towards the mountains until well within the forest. From there, you have a climb through forest until you are rewarded with alpine views down to your destination and a magnificent panorama of mountains. Thereafter you descend steeply through pastures straight down to Moieciu de Sus.

Day 5
5: MOIECIU DE SUS TO MAGURA 21KM/13.25MI/5.75HRS/+770M/-700M

Another varied day – and the longest walk of the trek. Apart from fairly short sections in the forest, much of the time you will be walking past farms and through villages, but with the impressive Carpathians often in view.

Day 6
DAY 6: MAGURA CIRCULAR OPTION 1 - 11KM/ 6.75MI/3HRS/+450M/-450M

This route provides ample opportunity to see rural life and farming practices whilst enjoying magnificent views of the mountains. You pass caves in limestone cliffs which are home to several bat species. It is essential to take a torch if you wish to go in.

OR

MAGURA CIRCULAR OPTION 2 – 7.5KM/ 4.75MI/3HRS/+370M/-370M This option is relatively short but involves a very steep ascent and quite a steep descent, followed by an easy walk back to Magura. You go up and behind the rocky summits visible from your accommodation and it feels quite remote up there. The views are great – you will see your routes to the south and over to Zarnesti to the north and across to Rasnov, as well as the huge ranges of the Craiului and Bucegi mountains.

Day 7
7: MAGURA TO ZARNESTI 14KM/8.75MI/4.75HRS/+600M/-850M

This is a spectacular day to complete the trek, walking in the Piatra Craiului National Park. After a steep descent from Magura, you walk along the impressive Zarnesti gorge, carved through the limestone. A lengthy ascent then follows up to the trek’s high point with superb views. A descent through forest and pasture land takes you down to the valley and an easy walk to your accommodation.

Day 8
8: LEAVE ZARNESTI

You are transferred to Bucharest or Sibiu airport (2hrs 30 mins), in time for your flight home. This transfer is included if we book your flights, or an optional extra if you book your own.

Transport

Your luggage is transported from hotel to hotel for you.

Joining Instructions

The tour normally begins at the start hotel in BRASOV.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: BRASOV
Location end: ZARNESTI

What To Take

Practical Information

Visa

Romania

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Romania. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Vaccinations and Health

Romania

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and tuberculosis (TB). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic. 

Local Time

Romania's time zone: Europe/Bucharest (UTC +03:00)

Electricity

Romania's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins) and F (two round pins) – 230V, 50Hz 

Transylvanian Castles Walk

Money

Romania's currency: Romanian leu (RON) 

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here.