This trip will introduce you to the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania, known as a mysterious and spectacular land, famous through Bram Stocker’s legend of Dracula and well-known for its forests sheltering so many species of wild plants and animals.
Transylvania, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, was also a much sought for land. That is how the Saxons arrived here in the 11th century to guard the Carpathian Mountains passes between Transylvania and Wallachia against the Tatars and the Ottomans. But this is just a hint of the rich heritage that you will discover during this entire trip. An exceptional holiday is awaiting for you!
Program
Day 1 Reception in Bucharest Arrival in Bucharest Northern Train Station before 12.30 PM. Train transfer to the medieval city of Sibiu (around 5h), elected as European cultural capital in 2007. Arrival at 9 PM. Night in guest-house in Sibiu.
Day 2 Sibiu and its villages In the morning you can visit Sibiu, known also as Hermannstadt. You will discover the three historic squares, the evangelic church, the lower and the upper town, the citadel and so many other charming corners of one of the best-preserved medieval cities. A warm-up ride in the afternoon will take you to few villages around Sibiu. In one of them you will spend the night. (~25 km)
Day 3 Marginimea Sibiului You will cycle today through the beautiful villages from Marginimea Sibiului, vestiges of a glorious past. Then you will continue the cycling day through oak forests till the salty lakes from Ocna Sibiului. Possible swim in a salty water pool. (~45 km)
Day 4 Fortified churches You will ride to the medieval pretty town of Medias, with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. There are opportunities for several detours (between 5 and 18 kilometres) to visit Saxon fortified churches. One of them, Valea Viilor, deserves more than the others to be visited. Here the church is frequented by few remaining Saxons in the area. Frau Schneider, the oldest Saxon from the village will be very honoured to show you around. (~52 km)
Day 5 The citadel of Sighisoara This cycling day will allow you to discover other treasures from Transylvania. You’re first stop will be Biertan fortified church, part of UNESCO Heritage, which has graced the country for over a half of century. Then you move on to Sighisoara, one of the few medieval citadels in Europe that is still fully inhabited and also included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage. Discover the old town with its famous clock tower, which initially served as the main entrance to the citadel, but also covered stairs, medieval streets, the house where Vlad Dracul, the father of Vlad the Impaler known by Bram Stocker’s legend as Dracula, was born (~62 km). You can take an extra-night so you can enjoy this beautiful citadel.
Day 6 Bucolic Transylvania Today you will cycle through the Transylvanian hills to Apold village which also has a lovely fortified church. Then you will arrive in Soars village where you will spend the night. The country road will take you to remote and bucolic areas where you will surely see shepherds watching over their sheep herds. (~50 km)
Day 7 Transylvanian Alps You will ride to the South, at the foot of the Fagaras Mountain, the highest of the Romanian Carpathians and also known as the 'Transylvanian Alps'. Beautiful landscapes are waiting for you. Night in a town at the foot of Piatra Craiului Mountains - one of the best preserved in Romania, sheltering bears, wolves and lynx. (~78 km).
Day 8 Bran Castle In your last day of cycling in Transylvania will bring you at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains, a border place between Transylvania and Wallachia. As a protection of this frontier the inhabitants build the Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle. Even if it wasn’t the real castle of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula), it belonged later to another famous person, Queen Maria, a grand-daughter of Queen Victoria and of Tsar Nicholas II. Optional ride to visit the Rasnov Castle, around 15 kilometres away from Bran. Night in the same place as the previous night (~ 35 km).
Day 9 End of the trip Departure for Bucharest after the breakfast. End of the trip.
Details
Starting point Bucharest train station.
End Bucharest train station.
How to get there By plane: Otopeni or Baneasa airports in Bucharest. By train : Bucharest train station.
Accommodation Double occupancy: - 3 nights in 3* small hotels in Sibiu (D1), Medias (D4) and Sighisoara (D5), private facilities, - 5 nights in guesthouses, exceptionally shared facilities.
Number of people Minimum of 2 people.
Level of difficulty 9 days of which 6.5 of cycling. Medium level (from 35 to 74 Km/day, with some climbs).
Carrying Luggage will be transferred from one guest-house to the other.
Options - Bike rental (Winnora hybrid bikes, 21 gears, back bag, repair kit, pump. Not included: helmet, lock, speedometer) : 80€
- Single supplement : 105€
- Extra night in Bucharest: several options possible, ask us for details. : 0€
- Extra-night in Sighisoare (hotel +bike) : 38€
Included The nights, meals (8 breakfasts, 4 picnics and 5 dinners in the guest-houses), road-book, maps, luggage transfer, permanently available local assistance.
Not included Some of the meals (see above), drinks, items of personal nature, bikes rental, transfer to the meeting point and from the drop off point, insurances and personal expenses.
