- Clear sustainable travel policy
- Social / Environmental Impact
- Tourism Dispersal
- Behavioral Awareness Education
- Small Group Travel
- Listen to Community Feedback
Romania’s breathtaking landscapes await you on this 8-day self-guided walking trip through the Carpathian Mountains. Reconnect with nature and encounter rare local flora and fauna. Trek to see gorges, clearings, and woods. A visit to “Dracula’s Castle”, laden with a long and storied past, also adds to the uniqueness of this trip.
Walking around traditional villages, where time seems to have stopped, and exploring the 14th-century Bran Castle, the castle that inspired the story of Dracula, you will go back in time and learn about Romania’s rich past. Multiple hikes will unveil the natural beauty of this pastoral country, present in its mountains, gorges, meadows, and cliffs.
Highlights:
- Walk to the mountain hut of Curmatura and Zarnesti gorges
- Explore the outstanding “Dracula Castle”
- Trek in the National Park of Piatra Craiului
- Ramble through scenic sheepfolds
- Hike to Strunga Wall
- Climb up to Gutanu Clearing
Your trip will be an immersive cultural experience emphasizing both the nature and food of Romania. Relish an exquisite home-cooked soup and pie at the authentic mountain hut of Curmatura. Pass through villages boasting a long-standing tradition of cheese making (and if you encounter shepherds, ask them to try their cheese!) Stay in a guesthouse and enjoy the opportunity to experience local traditions up close.
This self-guided walking holiday through the Carpathian Mountains is perfect for independent travelers. If you’d like to have a guide or join a small group of other travelers, check out our Related Trips below.
Related Trips:
[8 days] Carpathian Mountains, Villages, & Castles
[9 days] Villages of Bucovina & Maramures
Seasonal Notes:
The country’s rich history and stunning landscapes are much enjoyed if traveling in spring and summer. Mild temperatures allow pleasant walks around the villages and hikes along breathtaking settings.
This trip is available from April to October. Sometimes snow lingers through April or May, and it can arrive as early as October. This may affect the last day of hiking on this itinerary. If that is the case, we will replace this activity with a transfer to Brasov for an overnight in the city.
Features
📋 Itinerary
Day 1: Bucharest [Romania] (arrival day)
Day 2: Piatra Craiului Mountains (~5.5 hours | 15 km | ~9 miles | +800 meter elevation gain | -800 meter elevation descent)
Day 3: Walk to Bran Castle (~4.5 hours | 12 km | ~7 miles | +300m | -600m)
Day 4: Piatra Craiului National Park (~5.5 hours | 16 km | ~10 miles | +750m | -750m)
Day 5: Bucegi Mountains (~5.5 hours | 16 km | ~10 miles | +750m | -750m)
Day 6: Trek to Strunga Wall (~6h | 18km | ~11 miles | +900m | -900m)
Day 7: Hike to Gutanu Clearing (~6h | 18 km | ~11 miles | +750m | -850m)
Day 8: End of trip in Bucharest (departure day)
🌱 Sustainability
We are a certified partner of the Association of Ecotourism in Romania. Our philosophy has always been to encourage traveling as much as possible by non-motorized means and mostly off the beaten path, to try and avoid the mainstream and bring out the authenticity.
We constantly highlight the need for recycling, the use of biodegradable or reusable objects (food boxes, water bottles, etc.), and local food supply in particular.
This walking tour is a low-carbon impact activity that connects you with our nature.
You will take a train from Bucharest to get closer to your starting point for the walk.
All our partners are Romanians who work independently for the development of their country, the type of circuit that we carry gives work on average to about fifteen local providers in the region. We help you travel on less-popular roads where your presence will support local communities more.
We are committed to promoting and explaining the cultural and artisanal productions of the regions we visit. Furthermore, we only work with independent artisans & craftsmen whose respect for traditional know-how is wildly recognized.
Accommodations: You'll be staying primarily in guesthouses run by local families we've worked with for years, and eating homemade dishes. Tourism truly helps their families and communities to thrive.
- Conserve Ecosystems/Preserve Biodiversity
- Use Environmentally Friendly Products
- Green Transportation
- Local/Organic Restaurants
- Focused on Minimizing Waste
- Responsible Waste Management
- Solar Thermal Panels
- Use Water Flow Reducers
- Provide Local Employment
- Supports Local Businesses
- Tours Benefit Local Community
📌 Location
Use the Google map to orient yourself about where in the world this trip is. The location indicates the starting point for this trip.
A specific route map is included in the downloadable detailed itinerary.
🏷️ Pricing
Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.
See the full list of price inclusions and exclusions in the downloadable detailed itinerary.
Optional Add-ons:
- Single supplement per person (price per person, for min. 2 travelers) 120 €
- Private transfer: Bucharest Airport to train center, for 3 people: 30 €
- Departure at 1 person (only for very experienced hikers): 190€
- Private transfer from Bucharest OTP Airport to Magura (price per service one way. Base 1-3 pax): 150€
- Private transfer Bucharest OTP Airport - Magura (van, 4-6 persons, one way): 230€
- Private transfer Bucharest OTP Airport - Brasov (van, 4-6 persons, one way): 220€
- Private transfer from Bucharest city center to Magura (price per service one way. Base 1-3 pax): 170€
- Private transfer from Simon to Bucharest OTP Airport (price per service one way. Base 1-3 pax): 150€
- Private transfer from Simon to Bucharest city center (price per service one way. Base 1-3 pax): 170€
- Extra night in Bucharest, 3-star hotel, price per DBL BB: 78€
- Extra night in Brasov, 3-star- hotel, price per DBL BB: 82€
- Private transfer Brasov - Magura (1-3 persons), one-way service: 40€
ℹ️ Other Info
If you're ready to book this trip, or if you still have some questions, contact us to let us know!
To reserve your spot on a tour, a non-refundable deposit equal to 30% of the trip price will be required if the reservation takes place more than 60 days before the departure. The balance must be paid two months before the beginning of the holiday.
If the reservation takes place less than 60 days before departure, we require the total amount of the holiday.
In case of cancellation on your part, the cancellation fee will be kept as followed:
- More than 30 days before the departure: $100 per person for set-up fees.
- Between 29 and 16 days before the departure: 50% of the full price of your holiday.
- Between 15 and 2 days before the departure: 90% of the full price of your holiday.
- Less than 2 days before the departure: 100% of the full price of your holiday.
This trip has a variable start date, so you can plan a departure date that suits you.
Be sure you have traveler's insurance.
Please be fully vaccinated and boosted before traveling. You may also need proof of a negative Covid test before arrival to the country. Keep a mask and hand sanitizer with you at all times.
Special precautions:
Clients have their separate rooms with bathrooms and eat at a safe distance. Usually, the guesthouses we work with are small and there aren’t many people there at the same time. Of course, there’s hand sanitizer available and masks must be worn at all times while inside.
Q: What does the Physical Rating of "Average" mean?
A: A medium level of fitness is required, with the longest walking day lasting up to 6 hours.
Q: What do I need to bring?
A: Please bring the following for your hiking trip:
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Gloves
- Refillable water bottle
- Headlamp (some rooms are not equipped with lamps close to the bed)
- Snacks & energy bars for the day
- Credit card & a small amount of cash
Q: What about my luggage?
A: Luggage will be transferred from one guest house to the other.
Q: What is a Self-Guided trip?
A: Read more about Self-Guided trips.
Q: What are the accommodations like?
A: Accommodations include 7 nights in guest houses run by local families in traditional mountain villages. Bathrooms are private unless there's an exceptional case needed for two rooms to share one bathroom based on group size and guest house availability.
Q: Can I do this trip as a solo traveler?
A: It is only available for very experienced hikers. Contact us for more information.