Romania – The Carpathian Mountains & Transylvania Trail –
Almost the size of the UK with a population of around 19 million, Romania has one of the largest areas of undisturbed forest in Europe, covering almost 27% of its territory. The Carpathians are one of Europe’s last great wilderness areas, over one‑third of all European plant species occur here. It also holds the largest European populations of brown bears, wolves, lynx, and chamois. Transylvania is a historic and cultural region in central Romania, famous for its Carpathian landscapes, medieval towns, and multi‑ethnic heritage.
Romania’s history spans ancient Dacian civilization, Roman conquest, medieval principalities, Ottoman pressure, national awakening, and communist rule (from 1948 until 1989). After the fall of communism in Eastern Europe in 1989, Romania became a constitutional republic with a democratic, multiparty parliamentary system. The Carpathian Mountains dominate the centre of Romania, with 14 mountain ranges above 2000m. The Danube River forms a large part of the border with Serbia and Bulgaria and flows into the Black Sea, forming the Danube Delta which is the second largest and best-preserved delta in Europe. Romania has a climate that is temperate and continental, with 4 distinct seasons. Romania holds 250,000 hectares of virgin forest, the second‑largest area in Europe after Russia.
Highlights
A great mix of culture and the outdoors. 5 Days of trekking in combination with an exploration of some important cultural and historical landmarks. We trekked 2 days through the Carpathian Mountains followed by 3 days through the Transylvanian foothills. We walked from destination to destination, passed local villages and stayed in a mixture of local hotels, mountain huts and farm accommodation. We reached Omu Peak at 2505m, the highest peak of Bucegi Mountains, but also hiked through vast forested stretches. We visited the famous and well-known ‘Dracula’s Castle’ in Bran, strolled through historical Saxon towns like Brasov, Sinaia and Sibiu (9 days tour only) and visited the local but famous bear sanctuary in Zarnesti.
Itinerary
An 8- or 9-day itinerary with start and finish either in Bucharest or Sibiu.
Trail history
September 2022, a British Tt group
September 2024, a German group in cooperation with Wuestenwanderer.de
Future trails
Nothing in the planning but we would like to be back one day.
Romania – The Carpathian Mountains & Transylvania Trail –
Almost the size of the UK with a population of around 19 million, Romania has one of the largest areas of undisturbed forest in Europe, covering almost 27% of its territory. The Carpathians are one of Europe’s last great wilderness areas, over one‑third of all European plant species occur here. It also holds the largest European populations of brown bears, wolves, lynx, and chamois. Transylvania is a historic and cultural region in central Romania, famous for its Carpathian landscapes, medieval towns, and multi‑ethnic heritage.
Romania’s history spans ancient Dacian civilization, Roman conquest, medieval principalities, Ottoman pressure, national awakening, and communist rule (from 1948 until 1989). After the fall of communism in Eastern Europe in 1989, Romania became a constitutional republic with a democratic, multiparty parliamentary system. The Carpathian Mountains dominate the centre of Romania, with 14 mountain ranges above 2000m. The Danube River forms a large part of the border with Serbia and Bulgaria and flows into the Black Sea, forming the Danube Delta which is the second largest and best-preserved delta in Europe. Romania has a climate that is temperate and continental, with 4 distinct seasons. Romania holds 250,000 hectares of virgin forest, the second‑largest area in Europe after Russia.
Highlights
A great mix of culture and the outdoors. 5 Days of trekking in combination with an exploration of some important cultural and historical landmarks. We trekked 2 days through the Carpathian Mountains followed by 3 days through the Transylvanian foothills. We walked from destination to destination, passed local villages and stayed in a mixture of local hotels, mountain huts and farm accommodation. We reached Omu Peak at 2505m, the highest peak of Bucegi Mountains, but also hiked through vast forested stretches. We visited the famous and well-known ‘Dracula’s Castle’ in Bran, strolled through historical Saxon towns like Brasov, Sinaia and Sibiu (9 days tour only) and visited the local but famous bear sanctuary in Zarnesti.
Itinerary
An 8- or 9-day itinerary with start and finish either in Bucharest or Sibiu.
Trail history
September 2022, a British Tt group
September 2024, a German group in cooperation with Wuestenwanderer.de
Future trails
Nothing in the planning but we would like to be back one day.
