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Inspiring tours

Discover Tara Barsei on Foot - 8 days

Duration 8
days
Difficulty Easy - Moderate

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Be fascinated by Piatra Craiului Massif, the largest limestone cliff in Romania

Discover the old border of Transylvania and Wallachia and the main trade routes crossing the Carpathian passage

Venture to the most spectacular highroad in Romania, Transfagarasan Highroad

Explore the Saxon villages history in Transylvania

Learn about the Romanian typical houses at the border of Transylvania and Wallachia

Be inspired by the history of Bran Castle

Discover the fascinating historical centre of Brasov town

Piatra Craiului 1

Starting point:

Bucharest Henry Coanda International Airport, Romania

Duration:

8 days/7 nights
  • 2 days inbound/outbound flights into Romania
  • 3 days of Easy - Moderate difficulty trekking; maximum 4 - 5 hours per day
  • 3 days visiting main towns/touristic objectives in the area

Level of difficulty:

Easy - Moderate

Accommodation:

Hotel/ Bed and Breakfast/ Chalet/ Self Catering (please refer to the prices section)

Piatra Craiului 2

Description of the trip:

Enjoy peace and tranquillity as you meander through the exquisite mountain summits and discover a landscape of upland meadows, streams and gorges, all interspersed with picturesque villages and towns, including the must-visit historic centre town of Brasov. Brasov is criss-crossed by a complex network of mountain trails which provide a good link to trek in Piatra Craiului, Bucegi, Postavaru, Piatra Mare or Fagaras.

Nature and culture can be easily combined in this trip as Brasov surroundings are rich in both history and wildlife. Traditional forms of grazing cattle, sheep and horses still persist in the area and few villages are well-known for their famous tasty cheese. Very few village buildings still standing today are older than the eighteenths century. Some manor houses and parsonages may be earlier than that, being substantially built, but the houses of farmers and villagers would not have been constructed to last. The oldest building in the village is nearly always the church. One of the interesting things about the Romanian villages is that they are all different. A complicated geology leads to changes of scenery within relatively short distances. The early village houses were made out of soil, of locally quarried stone or wood, of bricks made of local clay, or of the local clay itself

While being a very popular destination for tourists, much of the region remains totally unspoilt and the daily living of local mountain people continues in the same patterns that have existed for hundreds of years. The villages seem to adapt themselves to the landscape.

Depending on your ability you can venture onto an easy walk or go for a challenging scramble. There are endless routes to choose from and if you need any advice we are always open to find the best route for you up the rocky terraces of the mountain. Reaching the top of this impressive and imposing limestone massif Piatra Craiului, is truly an unforgettable and rewarding experience. Brown bears, grey wolves, red foxes, wild cats, lynxes, chamois, roe deer and wild boars, are few of the common mammals found in these forests in addition to the smaller animals like brown rats, wild rabbits, red squirrels and bats.

Piatra Craiului 3

This area is well known for climbing and other mountaineering sports, thou if you are an adventure lover you can get kitted up and embark on an intrepid tour in the surroundings of Brasov where you have as well the option to learn how to ascend and descend on a rock face using the single rope technique (optional activity can be operated by our mountain colleagues on prior arrangement/ full gear provided).

The weather conditions may be unpredictable, therefore it is advisable to have a waterproof jacket with you at all the times. You need to pack some warm clothes because, despite the fact that the temperatures can be high in the valleys, it cools down very quickly as soon as you start climbing. We advise that the best time to go to trek in Brasov surroundings is between March and October, but some routes are nice to walk during the winter time when the snow covers the most of the landscape offering breathtaking views. Brasov has the most popular ski resort in Romania.


View suggested itinerary

Day 1 - After flying into Bucharest international airport you will spend the day at your leisure in the centre of the capital.
Hotel/Bed and Breakfast (Bucharest)
Day 2 - Transfer to Brasov County. In your way to Brasov you pass two of the most regularly climbed peaks in Bucegi Mountains, Omu Peak and Costila Peak. Pause to visit the castle in Sinaia built in a Neo-Renaissance style with its Saxon influence courtyard facades and baroque interior decorations.

In the afternoon you will have enough time to wander around the attractive town of Brasov with its wealth of impressive cultural monuments. Amongst them you may consider to visit the History Museum in the Council Square, the first Romanian school built in 1495 documentary mentioned since 1398 and many more other charming buildings with their typical ages featuring their characteristic period. The Lutheran church, popularly called the Black Church as a result of the biggest fire incident taken place in 1689 in Brasov, is an impressive monument worth visiting. This is built in a baroque style and is famous for its original 1839s organ renowned as the biggest organ in Europe at the time. The church currently accommodates weekly organ concerts in the summer, yearly music events and international organ recitals.

In the evening it is an ideal time to sample some of the delicious local delicacies.
Peles Castle; Brasov
Hotel/Bed and Breakfast (Brasov)
Day 3 - After a short drive you will have 4-5 hours of relaxing walks enjoying the outstanding beauties in Piatra Craiului Nature Reserve. Passing-by rural houses that have been standing unchanged through the centuries, you will walk among rounded hills and soft yielding pastures of the Rucar Bran Pass with their picturesque countryside panoramas and far-reaching views of the mountain chains that are iconic of the region. This short, low altitude trek through villages is an easy introduction to trekking in Brasov surroundings and can make an ideal stop for those looking for a short break in the heart of nature. The scenery is dramatic and there are several beautiful Romanian villages that can be visited on the route. Leaving apart the myths about vampires and Dracula's tales, in the afternoon you may wish to admire the gothic architecture of Bran Castle where Queen Marie of Romania (Princess Marie of Edinburgh at birth) resided temporarily during her reign.

Accommodation:

Magura Village, Pestera Village, Moeciu Village, Bran Castle
Hotel/Bed and Breakfast (Brasov)
Day 4 - Today you will be fascinated by one of the sharpest Jurassic limestone ridge in Romania and learn about its unique formations. An easy climb will take you up to Cabana Curmatura (1470m). After lunch you begin the journey back to Zarnesti. If time still permits you can visit Rasnov Fortress or Valea Cetatii Cave before you reach the hotel back in Brasov town. On a short drive back, the dramatic Piatra Craiului Nature Reserve with its scarped edge and rocky versants never fail to astonish.
Curmatura Chalet; Prapastiile Zarnestilor; Rasnov Fortress, Valea Cetatii Cave
Hotel/Bed and Breakfast (Brasov)
Day 5 - Early in the morning you will set off to visit Prejmer fortress, an exquisite UNESCO World Heritage Site, built upon an older roman church in the 13th century. From here you will travel through several Saxon villages with their typical 18th century hanging houses connected one to another. Slowly, moving into a beautiful wilderness you are transferred to Piatra Mare Mountain for a two-hours walk to see the impressive ''7 scari'' canyon.

After your walk a short journey by car or bus will take you to Poiana Brasov resort. Described as one of the most visited resorts in Romania, Poiana Brasov is a wonderful place to explore. A short but scenic cable-car ride to Postavaru Peak (1799m) gives you magical views of Brasov surroundings. If you still have energy left you can choose to walk from Poiana Brasov straight back to the old town of Brasov.
Prejmer Fortress; 7 scari canyon; Postavaru Peak
Hotel/Bed and Breakfast (Brasov)
Day 6 - This is the day with a longer driving journey, but most rewarding taking you up on the famous zigzagging Transfagarasan Highroad that climbs up in the heart of the mountains to an altitude of 2042m. The highroad is not accessible by car during the cold months due to the heavy snows falling in the area, but a cable car is available from November to the end of June, taking you up to Balea Lake. On your return journey a stop to Fagaras bastioned fortress is worth a visit. In your way back you will still have time to absorb some outstanding panoramic views before you arrive to the hotel.
Transfagarasan Highroad (Fagaras Mountains); Balea Lake; Fagaras Fortification
Hotel/Bed and Breakfast (Brasov)
Day 7 - Leaving early in the morning you can transfer back to Bucharest.

Bucharest Old Centre
Hotel/Bed and Breakfast (Bucharest)
Day 8 - Return flight