Experience a walking holiday in Transylvania like no other!
Transylvania is a region where dramatic mountain views, peaceful countryside and timeless traditions come together. Think rolling pastures, colourful wildflower meadows, and beautifully preserved Saxon towns and villages – all wrapped in the gentle mystery the area is famous for. Many people who have travelled there describe it as one of the last truly medieval landscapes in Europe, and it’s easy to see why.
Your journey begins with to nights in Bucharest, staying on a bed and breakfast basis. Romania’s elegant capital is known for its grand boulevards and striking pre-First World War architecture, which once earned it the nickname “Little Paris”. There’s plenty to enjoy at a relaxed pace, including a leisurely walking tour along Calea Victoriei, the city’s most celebrated avenue. This charming route takes you past the Romanian Athenaeum, the former Royal Palace, Revolution Square and into the characterful Old Town, where history and café culture blend together beautifully.
On day three, you will travel from Bucharest to the medieval merchant town of Brasov – your main base for the holiday. Brasov is a wonderfully atmospheric place, filled with ornate Saxon architecture, impressive churches and quaint, winding lanes. Today, the main square is one of Romania’s loveliest Baroque spaces, home to the 15th-century Town Hall, the charming Trumpeter’s Tower and the majestic Black Church. This is the biggest Gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul, complete with a six-tonne bell and a magnificent 4,000-pipe organ.
No visit to Romania would be complete without exploring Bran Castle, the famous fortress, long associated with the Dracula legend. Perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop guarding a mountain pass, it was built in the late 14th century by the Saxons to protect Brasov from Turkish invasion. Inside, you’ll discover elegant Western European furnishings collected by Queen Marie in the 1920s, when the castle served as a royal residence.
As a whole, this holiday with walks is filled with scenic beauty, rich history and intrigue – the perfect blend for a relaxed, enriching and memorable trip.
Holiday Highlights
- Three nights bed & breakfast in Bucharest
- Four nights bed & breakfast in Brasov
- Walking tour of Bucharest
- One included dinner in Brasov
- Local knowledgeable walking guides
- Four guided walks
- Packed lunches on all walking days
- Entrance to Bran Castle – home of Dracula
- Cable car ride from Tampa Mount to Brasov
- Climb 7 Ladders Canyon (Optional)
- Flights included from your local airport
Itinerary
Day One – Flight to Bucharest
Transfer to your hotel in the centre of the city for two nights bed and breakfast accommodation. There are plenty of restaurants in downtown Bucharest to suit all tastes and budgets.
Day Two – Mid-morning walking tour of Bucharest
The tour will concentrate on Calea Victoriei – Bucharest’s most famous avenue, which leads to the beautiful Romanian Athenaeum, the Royal Palace, Revolution Square and further through the Old Town. Bucharest is also known for its stark Communist- era architecture, exemplified in Ceausescu’s monster House of the Republic, now known as the Palace of Parliament. A guided tour will show you some of 1,100 rooms of the world’s largest civilian administrative building.
Day Three – Travel north through the Southern Carpathians to Brasov
Travel north through the Southern Carpathians to Brasov, stopping en route in Sinaia where you visit beautiful Peles Castle, a royal palace set in a large park, landscaped in the English fashion. It was built in the late 19th century for Romania’s first monarch, King Carol I, and took 39 years to complete. It has over 100 rooms richly decorated in ebony, mother of pearl and leather, and each room is styled on a particular country. Romania’s first cinema was established in one of the castle’s rooms. Continue to Brasov where your walking guide will conduct a short orientation walk before your included dinner at a local restaurant.
Day Four – Walk 1
8 MILES – 270M ASCENT/DESCENT Across the Transylvanian hills – Coach transfer to Mesendorf for the start of the walk. This 8-mile walk (270m ascent/descent) takes you over the hills and through the meadows to Viscri. A combination of bulldozing by the Ceausescu regime and the exodus of the German-speaking population after the fall of Communism threatened to wipe out the centuries-old Saxon rural heritage in Transylvania. With the help of benefactors, including King Charles, restoration and preservation schemes have helped save many villages and Viscri is the most famous example. After the walk, there is an included lunch in a local house, time to explore the village and have a tour of Viscri’s UNESCO-listed fortified church.
Day Five – Walk 2
7 MILES – 350M ASCENT/400M DESCENT Piatra Craiului and visit Bran Castle – Today you explore the eastern hills of Piatra Craiului, a 25 km long beautiful mountain range of southern Carpathians. The whole range is part of the Piatra Craiului National Park. You will cross through Zarnesti Gorges and the beautiful mountain village of Magura renowned for famous Dracula’s Castle in Bran. Today’s walk is 7 miles, with an ascent of 350m and descent of 400m.
Day Six – Walk 3
8 MILES – 80M ASCENT/310M DESCENT Postavaru and Tampa: Postavaru boasts a network of well-marked hiking trails, you will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and neighboring Bucegi, Piatra Mare and Piatra Craiului mountains. You will continue through the forest toward Tampa Mount that offers a spectacular view over the old part of Brasov. From Tampa you can either walk or descend by cable car down town to Brasov. 8 miles, 80m ascent/ 310m descent.
Day Seven – Walk 4
2.5 MILES – 350M ASCENT/ 100M DESCENT Piatra Mare and 7 Ladders Canyon (alternate route available): You come to the end of your holiday and move on to Bucharest again for one more night today, but before this your final walk will allow you to explore the Piatra Mare mountain range, a small mountain range located South East of Brasov. The highlight of today will be the Seven Ladders Canyon, 160m long and 55m high with 7 main stairs, which you will ascend with the mountain guides. After the walk, you set off by coach for Bucharest, where you shall stay for the remainder of the holiday. There will be some free time after your arrival for you to settle in and get re-aquainted with your surroundings. 2.5 miles, 350m ascent/ 100m descent. Please note an alternative route is available for those who do not wish to take the seven ladders.
Day Eight – Departure Day
Free time until your departure for the airport and your flight home.
Accommodation
Set right on Brasov's beautiful Council Square, Casa Wagner places you in the heart of the medieval old town, with charming cobbled streets, cosy cafés and the famous Black Church just steps away.
Hotel Features
Tucked away in a peaceful, elegant part of the city, Hotel Berthelot offers a comfortable and welcoming base just a short stroll from Bucharest’s main cultural sights, leafy parks and grand boulevards - ideal for relaxed sightseeing and gentle city walks.
Hotel Features
Reviews
Average Review Score:
We liked the structure and the itinerary was excellent, the walks plus the sight seeing.
Alan and Susan FWhat a wonderful 2 destination holiday Bucharest is vibrant and Brasov absolutely stunning.
Maureen RThis was a most interesting holiday. Romania is a delight. Unspoilt and friendly.
AnonymousThe guides were knowledgeable, friendly and well organised.
David & Allyson KGuides, leaders and fantastic walks. Could not be beaten.
Maxine J