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romanian mountains with panorama

Carpathian Mountains

Mountain scenery and mystical castles

8 Days / 7 Nights
Mountain Hiking
romanian mountains with panorama

The essentials at a glance

Self-guided mountain hiking tour through Romania's Carpathian Mountains, exploring Piatra Craiului and Bucegi National Parks. Highlights include the dramatic 200m-high Zarnesti Gorge, authentic mountain huts with traditional cuisine, historic Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle), and scenic passes between Transylvania and Wallachia. Daily hikes of 10-18 km with moderate difficulty, suitable for hikers with good basic fitness. Accommodation in traditional guesthouses with luggage transfer included.

Do you have questions about this tour?

Piatra Craiului and the Bucegi Mountains are among the best-known and most popular hiking regions in Romania. You will enjoy the extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna in the Piatra Craiului National Park, roam through large forests, hike across alpine meadows and ridges and experience the spectacular landscapes at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains. You will meet shepherds with their flocks of sheep, visit traditional sheepfolds on high mountain pastures and explore medieval fortifications. On this trip, you will immerse yourself in Romanian culture and savour the authentic cuisine of this fascinating region. Look forward to a wonderful break on a hiking holiday in Romania.

Book now
To the online version
romanian mountains with panorama

Carpathian Mountains

Mountain scenery and mystical castles

8 Days / 7 Nights
Mountain Hiking
romanian mountains with panorama

The essentials at a glance

Self-guided mountain hiking tour through Romania's Carpathian Mountains, exploring Piatra Craiului and Bucegi National Parks. Highlights include the dramatic 200m-high Zarnesti Gorge, authentic mountain huts with traditional cuisine, historic Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle), and scenic passes between Transylvania and Wallachia. Daily hikes of 10-18 km with moderate difficulty, suitable for hikers with good basic fitness. Accommodation in traditional guesthouses with luggage transfer included.

Do you have questions about this tour?

The Piatra Craiului and the Bucegi Mountains are among Romania’s best-known and most popular hiking regions. You’ll enjoy the extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna in Piatra Craiului National Park, roam through vast forests, hike across alpine meadows and mountain ridges, and experience the spectacular landscapes at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains. You’ll meet shepherds with their flocks of sheep, visit traditional sheepfolds on high mountain pastures and explore medieval fortresses. On this walking holiday, you’ll immerse yourself deeply in Romanian culture and savour the authentic cuisine of this fascinating region. Look forward to a wonderful break on a hiking holiday in Romania.

Itinerary at a glance

Hearty meals await you on the picturesque mountain pastures, while the impressive Zanesti Gorge is an experience in itself. You can pay a visit to Count Dracula in the mysterious Bran Castle.
Day
01

Arrival to Piatra Craiului National Park

Hike in the Piatra Craiului mountains to the authentic Curmătura mountain hut. From there, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the mountain ridge and the surrounding valley. A special lunch prepared according to the host's unique recipes awaits you at the stop. On the way back to your guesthouse, you will cross the impressive Zarnesti Gorge with its 200 metre high, vertical rock faces.

The route leads over a picturesque mountain ridge to Bran Castle. Built in the 14th century, this castle initially served as a defence against the migration of peoples and later to protect Transylvania from Ottoman invasions. The castle is also known as ‘Dracula Castle’, as it is associated with the fictional character Dracula, who is based on Vlad Tepes, the prince of Wallachia. Transfer back to the guesthouse afterwards.

In the Piatra Craiului National Park, you roam through lush meadows, idyllic sheepfolds, dense forests and scattered villages. You pass charming, original villages where time seems to stand still and end the day in the traditional mountain village of Ciocanu.

You leave the Piatra Craiului Mountains and take a leisurely hike through picturesque landscapes to Moeiciu. The trail leads through charming villages with small, historic houses at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains. The locals are traditional cattle breeders and the village has a long tradition of cheese production.

You head towards the Bucegi massif. This unforgettable, long stage offers diverse landscapes and views of the imposing Strunga Wall. You cross two passes, the Strunga and the Strungulita, and pass a mountain hut on the former border between Transylvania and Wallachia, where you can stop for refreshments.

The hike continues in the Bucegi Mountains and leads up to the Gutanu clearing, which offers outstanding views of the dramatic rock faces above. From June onwards, you will meet shepherds with their herds and can even taste the homemade cheese. Take your time and enjoy the impressive landscape at the end of your journey.

Day
08

Departure or extension

Itinerary at a glance

Hearty meals await you at the picturesque mountain pastures, and the impressive Zanesti Gorge is an experience in itself. At the mysterious Bran Castle, you can pay a visit to Count Dracula.

Welcome to the fascinating mountain world of Piatra Craiului National Park in the heart of Romania's Southern Carpathians, also known as the Transylvanian Alps.

You can look forward to a hike in the Piatra Craiului Mountains to the authentic Curmătura mountain hut. From there, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the mountain ridge and the surrounding valley. During your stop for refreshments, you’ll be treated to a special lunch prepared according to the host’s unique recipes. If you’d like, you can continue from here to conquer the ascent to the Crapaturi Pass. On the way back to your accommodation, you’ll traverse the impressive Zărnești Gorge with its 200-meter-high, vertical rock faces.

The route takes you along a picturesque mountain ridge to Bran Castle. Built in the 14th century, this castle was initially used to defend against the Migration Period and later to protect Transylvania from Ottoman invasions. The castle is also known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’ because it is associated with the fictional character Dracula, who is based on Vlad Tepes, Prince of Wallachia. Afterwards, by transfer back to your accommodation.

In Piatra Craiului National Park, you’ll wander through lush meadows, past idyllic sheepfolds, through dense forests and past scattered villages. You’ll pass through charming, unspoiled villages where time seems to stand still, and finally reach the traditional mountain village of Ciocanu, where you’ll spend the night.

You’ll leave the Piatra Craiului Mountains behind and set off on a leisurely hike through picturesque landscapes all the way to Moeiciu. The trail winds through charming villages with small, historic houses at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains. The locals are traditional livestock farmers, and today’s destination, the mountain village of Moieciu de Sus, boasts a centuries-old tradition of cheese-making.

On today’s stage, you’ll head towards the Bucegi Mountains. This unforgettable, long stage offers a diverse landscapes and views of the imposing Strunga Wall. You’ll cross two passes, the Strunga and the Strungulita, and pass a mountain hut situated on the former border between Transylvania and Wallachia, which is the perfect place to stop for a break. If you wish, you can extend the loop hike to enjoy further breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of both national parks – Piatra Craiului and Bucegi.

Your final hike continues through the Bucegi Mountains and leads up to the Gutanu Clearing, from where magnificent views of the dramatic rock faces unfold. From June onwards, you’ll encounter shepherds with their flocks here and can even sample some homemade cheese. Take your time and enjoy the stunning countryside of the Carpathians one more time.

Day
08

Departure or extension

Difficulty Level

Mountain Hiking

Moderately difficult hikes with a maximum walking time of 6 hours, easily manageable with a good basic level of fitness. Some of the stages can be shortened or extended as required.

Difficulty Level

Mountain Hiking

You can expect moderate hikes with walking times of up to 6 hours a day, which require a good level of basic fitness. On almost all hiking days, you’ll have the choice between a shorter and a more challenging route.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accomodation in simple, typical guesthouses (in Ciocanu shower/WC in the corridor)
  • Breakfast
  • 6 lunch packages
  • 7 dinners
  • Luggage transfer
  • Transfers according to the program
  • 1 transfer Brasov – Piatra Craiului National Park
  • 1 transfer Simon – Brasov
  • 2 train rides (Bucharest – Brasov and return)
  • Travel documents package incl. GPS-data and route book, 1x per room 
  • Servicehotline

Optional

  • Transfer Bucharest airport –  Piatra Craiului National Park, costs EUR 189 per ride (max. 3 people), reservation required, payable in advance.
  • Transfer Bucharest city centre - Piatra Craiului National Park, costs per ride EUR 199 (max. 3 persons), reservation required, payable in advance
  • Transfer Simon – Bucharest airport, costs EUR 179 per ride (max. 3 people), reservation required, payable in advance.
  • Transfer Simon – Bucharest city centre, costs per ride EUR 189 (max. 3 persons), reservation required, payable in advance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Bucharest airport and short train journey to Bucharest railway station. From there, organised train ride to Brasov and private transfer to the start hotel in the Piatra Craiului National Park, included in the price.
  • Departure by transfer from Simon to Brasov, then organised train ride to Bucharest, included in the price.

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Entry Bran castle, approx. EUR 20 per person
  • Minimum number of participants: 2 people
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in selected, traditional guesthouses (in Ciocanu shared bathroom possible)
  • Breakfast
  • 5 lunch packages
  • 1 lunch
  • 7 dinners
  • Luggage transfer
  • Train rides Bucharest – Brașov and Brașov – Bucharest
  • Transfers Brașov – Piatra Craiului National Park, Bran – Piatra Craiului National Park and Simon – Brașov
  • Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book
  • Service hotline

Optional

  • Transfers: Bucharest airport – Piatra Craiului National Park, costs per ride on request (up to 3 persons), Bucharest city center – Piatra Craiului National Park, costs per ride on request (up to 3 persons), Simon – Bucharest airport, costs per ride on request (up to 3 persons), Simon – Bucharest city center, costs per ride on request (up to 3 persons), reservation is necessary, to be paid for in advance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Arrival by train via Vienna or Budapest to Bucharest or directly to Brașov (www.bahn.de, www.oebb.at)
  • Bucharest or Brașov airport
  • Organized train ride from Bucharest train station to Brașov and private transfer to the accommodation in the Piatra Craiului National Park, included in the price
  • Departure by private transfer from Simon to Brașov, continue by organized train ride back to Bucharest, included in the price

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, not included in the price.
  • Entry Bran Castle, costs approx. EUR 20 per person
  • Planning of Day 1: The scheduled train departs at around 3.00 p.m. from Bucharest Central Station (Bucuresti Nord). It arrives in Brașov at around 5.45 p.m., followed by a one-hour private transfer to the accommodation. If your flight does not arrive in time to catch the 3:00 p.m. train, you have the option of taking the later train at 4:45 p.m. (arriving at the accommodation at approximately 8:30 p.m.) or booking an additional night’s stay in Bucharest before the tour begins. If you choose to stay an extra night in Bucharest, you’ll also have the opportunity to spend half a day exploring Brașov on Day 1 — a visit to the city is highly recommended.
  • Planning of Day 8: Departure from the accommodation at 8.00 a.m., followed by the train ride from Brașov at around 9.15 a.m., arrival at Bucharest Central Station (Bucuresti Nord) at around 11.45 a.m.
  • Please provide your arrival and departure times at least one month before your day of arrival, otherwise, the scheduled standard transfers (Day 1: from Bucharest Central Station (Bucuresti Nord) at around 3.00 p.m. / Day 8: from Brașov at around 9.15 a.m.) will be automatically booked for you!
  • Minimum number of participants: 2 people
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.
Bianca Hirnböck

"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

Bianca Hirnboeck
Travel Specialist
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