Highlights
- Visit the famed Bear Sanctuary
- Explore UNESCO World Heritage Site Sighișoara
- Cycle through ancient, traditional Romanian villages
- Visit the home of Vlad Dracul - the father of Vlad the Impaler
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Bucharest | Zarnesti |
| Day 2 | Ride to Bucium | Bucium |
| Day 3 | The foot of Fagaras Mountains | Carta |
| Day 4 | Biertan fortification | Biertan |
| Day 5 | Sighișoara Citadel | Sighișoara |
| Day 6 | Cycling village to village | Apold |
| Day 7 | The fortified church of Viscri | Viscri |
| Day 8 | Olt River | Homorod |
| Day 9 | Departure |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Bucharest
Welcome to Romania! On day one of your adventure, grab your road bookand board a train to Brașov then Zărnești, where you'll spend your first night nestled up against a national park. The town is known for its beautiful surroundings and attracts climbers, mountain bikers, hikers, and other outdoor sports enthusiasts. If you get there early enough in the day, make time to stretch your legs with a walk.
Day 2: Ride to Bucium
Greet the morning with a ride northward to the small, typical village of Bucium at the foot of the Fagaras Mountains - the highest mountains in Romania. On your way, a 4.5-mile (7-km) detour down a gravel road leads to the famous Bear Sanctuary, where over 70 bears live among the 173 acres of oak and hazel forest. From there, continue to Ohaba for a visit to the oldest flour mill in the country.
Day 3: The Foot of the Fagaras Mountains
On day two of cycling, the foot of the Fagaras Mountains and the Bucium River await. Pause in the traditional village of Lisa, where a 100-year-old machine that makes thick, woolen blankets is still in operation. Stop again in Sambata de Sus, with its impressive Brancovenesc Monastery from 1696.
Next, pedal to Dragus for a visit to its ethnographic museum before passing through Victoria Town and the small village of Cartisoara on your way to the village of Carta, where you'll overnight. In Carta, you'll find the ruins of the Cistercian Monastery. The pastor here is full of interesting stories. If you're an adrenaline junkie, consider adding a day onto your trip to climb to the top of the Fagaras Mountains from here and descend on the Transfagarasan Road.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Biertan Fortification
Your route through Transylvania continues to Biertan and its enormous, UNESCO-recognized fortified church with several ring-walls. Pedal along country roads and enjoy the pastoral landscapes. Pause to take in the fortified church of Richiş - an abbey turned Catholic church with a Gothic interior. By dinnertime, you'll be in Biertan feasting on Romanian traditional dishes like smoked bacon, cabbage rolls, or fried dough with sweet cheese.
Day 5: Sighișoara Citadel
Mount your bike for another day of riding and make your way to UNESCO World Heritage Site Sighișoara - one of the few Medieval citadels in Europe that's still fully inhabited. Explore the old town, with its famous clock tower and the house where Vlad Dracul, the father of the infamous Vlad the Impaler, was born. Along the way, don't miss the small detour to Dumbraveni, a town with an important Armenian Catholic church. Overnight in a three-star hotel in Sighișoara.
Day 6: Riding to the Village of Soars
Start your day with a cycle through the rolling Transylvanian hills to Apold village, with its lovely, 13th-century fortified church. Continue along the country road from here through remote, picturesque countryside where shepherds and their sheep dot the landscape. If you see one, pause to say hi - and perhaps, ask to sample their cheese. Then pedal on to Soars village, where you'll spend the night.
Day 7: Fortified church of Viscri
From Soars, cycle through ancient villages where time seems to stand still and on to one of the highlights of the trip: historic Viscri. The fortified church here was restored with the help of Prince Charles' foundation. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the peaceful seclusion of the village as you rest from your day of cycling.
Day 8: Olt River
From Viscri, cycle on to Rupea Fortress - one of the oldest archaeological sites in Romania. Due to its dominant position next to the city, the fortress is a remarkable presence even from a distance. From there, continue on to Homorod, passing through more ancient Romanian villages along the way.
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, a private transfer will take you to Bran for a short visit. Explore the famed castle, made famous by Bram Stoker's Dracula, before boarding the transfer again and continuing on to Brașov. From there, a train will take you back to Bucharest to catch your flight. If you have some time before heading home, the cobblestone old town, the grand Palace of Parliament, and the Museum of the Romanian Peasant are all popular.
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