This area, for long associated with Dracula (very loosely based on the reputation of the Romanian king, ‘Vlad the Impaler’), is one of the loveliest areas of the country, with its fauna and flora, gentle valleys and spectacular landscapes.
This area, for long associated with Dracula (very loosely based on the reputation of the Romanian king, ‘Vlad the Impaler’), is one of the loveliest areas of the country, with its fauna and flora, gentle valleys and spectacular landscapes. In the heart of Carpathian mountains, the area was for centuries an important buffer between Transylvania and the old state of Romania. Life in rural Romania has changed but little, and its charm is best discovered on foot.
Price:
£875 per person based on two people sharing
Single supplement £185
Solo walker +£100
Included:
Day 1 – Train transfer Bucharest – Brasov ~ 2.45h
Day 1 – Private transfer Brasov – Piatra Craiului National Park~ 1.00h.
Day 3 – Private transfer Bran – Piatra Craiului National Park ~ 40min (at the end of the walk
Day 8 – Private transfer Simon – Brasov ~ 45 minutes.
Day 8 – Train transfer Bucharest – Brasov and return ~ 2.45h
Not Included:
Private transfers:
– D1 Private transfer from Bucharest OTP Airport to Piatra Craiului National Park: + £155 (1-3 people)
– D1 Private transfer from Bucharest centre to Magura: + £165 (1-3 people)
– D8 Private transfer from Simon to Bucharest OTP Airport + £145 (1-3 people)
– D8 Private transfer from Simon to Bucharest center + £155 (1-3 people)
– D1/8 Private transfer from Bucharest OTP Airport to Bucharest train station or centre: + £35 (1-3 pax)
– Walking poles rental: + 20 € (also useful against shepherd dogs)
– Welcome & briefing: + 35 € / departure.
At the North train station or at your hotel in Bucharest if there are pre-tour extra-nights (15 MIN briefing by video call already included)
– Pepper spray, 40ml (for dogs): + 15 € (1 item).
– Bear spray, 150ml: + 60 € (1 item – can also be used for dogs
Departure Dates:
Beginning of 22nd April – 15th October
Day 1:
The trip starts at Bucuresti North Station with the train leaving at 15:07 and arriving in Brasov in approximately 2h45m (we offer customized transfer options on request).
This will be followed by a private transfer to Magura accommodation (approximately 1 hour).
Dinner and accommodation in Magura.
Day 2: Piatra Craiului Mountains (5h30, 15km, +/-800m)
Walk in Piatra Craiului (“Rock of the King”) mountains and the fascinating Zarnesti gorges with their 200m high vertical walls.
Overnight Magura.
Day 3: Bran Castle (4h, 10km, +450m, -700m)
Today you will walk on a small ridge going down to Bran castle. This castle was built in the 14th century and had a role of defence against the migratory people. Later it protected Transylvania from the Ottoman invasions. The castle was also associated with the fictional character of Dracula, who was based on the prince Vlad Tepes of Wallachia. Transfer back to your guesthouse in Magura.
Day 4: Piatra Craiului National Park (5.5h, 17km, +775, -65 or shorter option 5h, 14km, +/-600m)
Walk in Piatra Craiului National park among sheepfolds, valleys, woods and scattered villages. In the Middle Ages peasants would build their houses on the hills and not in the valleys, so to be less vulnerable to the attacks. Overnight Ciocanu.
Day 5: Bucegi Mountains (5h, 15 km, +550m, -700)
Leave the mountains of Piatra Craiului and walk to the Bucegi mountains, admiring the way that locals still work the land in traditional ways. End of the day in a village well known for its smoked cheese. Overnight Moieciu de Sus.
Day 6: Strunga & Strungulit Passes (6h, 18km, +/-900m) possible extension of 4.7km, +200m, -300m)
Climb into the Bucegi mountains. A long walk but one you won’t regret: beautiful landscape and view over the Piatra Craiului ridge. Overnight Moieciu de Sus.
Day 7: Bucegi mountains (6h, 18km, +750m, -850m; 2 shorter versions available: 9km and 15km)
Continue to climb among the Bucegi mountains. Walk along the Gutana sheep pastures at the foot of the vertical walls of Bucegi ridge and take your time to enjoy this last long walk. Overnight Simon.
Day 8: Departure
Private transfer from Simon to Brasov and then travel by train to Bucharest.
Included:
7 nights in guesthouses, double occupancy with private facilities. Exceptionally, there are shared facilities.
o 3 nights in the Piatra Craiului National Park (B, L, D).
o 1 night in Ciocanu (B, L, D) – mountain lodge with shared facilities, basic rooms, yet welcoming hosts
o 2 nights in Moieciu de Sus (B, L, D).
o 1 night in Simon (B, D) – possible to share one bathroom for 2 rooms only if the group is more than 2 people
OR equivalent boarding house / hotel nearby.
Meals
Drinks not included.
LENGTH & LEVEL OF WALKS
Medium level of walk – maximum of 6 hours per day.
IMPORTANT NOTES to know before booking and buying flight tickets:
If we don’t receive clients’ arrival / departure details minimum one month prior to the departure, we will schedule the standard transfers! Any later changes will be charged with 10 EUR/pax. Only one change is allowed by the national train company, after that we have to charge the cost of a new train ticket, 20 €/pax.
Planning of Day 1:
The standard train is around 3pm, arrival in Brasov around 5.45pm, followed by 1h private transfer.
If the flight doesn’t arrive in time to take the 3pm train, there are 2 options:
1. Take the 4.45 train, arrival at the guesthouse around 8.30pm
2. Book a pre-tour extra-night in Bucharest. This allows us to book earlier trains from Bucharest to Brasov, including an early train allowing to visit Brasov for half a day before the private transfer to Brasov. The visit of Brasov is highly recommended, preferably taking an extra-night in Brasov, pre or post tour.
Planning of Day 8:
The standard program is departure from the guesthouse at 8am, followed by a train transfer at 9.15. Arrival in Bucharest around 11.45. Possible flight minimum 3 hours later.
Extra-night in Brasov recommended.
BOOKING PROCEDURE:
At your request we verify hotel availability and confirm directly with you. Response in 24 hours, Monday to Friday.
LENGTH & LEVEL:
8 days / 6 days of walking. Medium level of walking with a maximum day at 6hrs. Some walking days have 2 or 3 optional walks, so it is suitable for those who want longer hikes as well.
DEPARTURES:
Any day from April 22 to October 15 – for the entire trip
April and possibly the first days of May, depending of the year, some snow can be on the upper parts of the walks. For these days we only recommend the shorter hikes or to be equipped with good tall walking boots, gaiters and trekking poles.
ACCESS:
– Train (22min) from Bucharest OTP Airport to the Bucharest North train station every ~40min.
– Uber, 30 to 50 min, depending on the traffic. Approx. price 20 euros.
– Private transfer with us, see prices above.
RECOMMENDED:
Walking poles
Boxes for picnic lunch – in order to avoid the use of plastic.
Purifying pills – water is drinkable but we noticed that some of our customers have had slight digestion problems. In order to prevent such situations for the most sensitive types and also to avoid the use of plastic bottles we suggest they would bring their own filters or purifying pills.
