Guided Walks in the Romanian Countryside – 14 Days Tour

This 14-day walking adventure through the Romanian countryside is more than a tour—it’s a way of life. Designed with ecotourism principles at its core, this journey allows you to engage deeply with local communities, support small-scale producers, and tread gently across the diverse landscapes of Romania. Each day features hikes of around 10 kilometers through some of the most scenic areas in Transylvania, Maramureș, and Bucovina, where rolling hills, forest paths, and traditional villages remain largely untouched by mass tourism.

You’ll begin in the pastoral surroundings of the Bran area, where shepherds still lead their flocks through meadows. In Viscri, King Charles’ favorite Romanian village, you’ll walk cobbled lanes and visit a UNESCO-listed fortified church. The route then weaves through the highlands of Sibiu and the Saxon heartland, where the Transylvanian landscape is dotted with haystacks, medieval churches, and idyllic farmsteads.

The journey continues into the Apuseni Mountains and the historic mining village of Roșia Montană, where gold has been mined for over two millennia. You’ll hike through dramatic gorges near Turda and then head into Maramureș, Romania’s most traditional region. Here, wooden churches rise above misty hills, and handwoven garments are still part of daily life. Highlights include the humorous Merry Cemetery in Săpânța and a hike to the Rooster’s Crest ridge.

Crossing into Bucovina, the tour becomes a celebration of spirituality and folk art. You’ll visit world-famous painted monasteries, enjoy a nostalgic ride on a steam train, and explore the Via Transilvanica trail. Every few days, we balance hiking with rest and cultural appreciation: slow-paced walking tours in charming cities like Sibiu or Cluj, relaxing visits to thermal baths, or free time in nature.

Meals are a central part of the experience. As often as possible, you’ll be served home-cooked lunches made from locally sourced ingredients by village hosts, offering a genuine taste of Romanian hospitality and seasonal cuisine. Nights are spent in handpicked guesthouses and family-run inns that reflect the character of each region.

Whether you’re an avid hiker or simply enjoy walking as a way to connect with places, this tour invites you to embrace Romania’s rural soul, where timeless landscapes and traditions unfold at the perfect pace—on foot.

• Day 1: Mountain Villages near Bran

  • Arrival and transfer to the Bran area

  • Light hike through the rolling hills and scattered hamlets

  • Overnight in a rustic guesthouse

• Day 2: Viscri – King Charles’ Favorite Village

  • Walk along the Via Transilvanica trail to Viscri

  • Visit the UNESCO fortified church

  • Learn about local crafts and sustainability projects

  • Overnight in Viscri guesthouse

• Day 3: Biertan and Sibiu

  • Hike through meadows and hills near Biertan, another UNESCO site

  • Home-cooked lunch in a local household

  • Afternoon walking tour of Sibiu’s old town

  • Overnight in Sibiu

• Day 4: Villages Around Sibiu

  • Rural walk through the Marginimea Sibiului region

  • Optional visit to traditional workshops (e.g., blacksmiths or weavers)

  • Leisure time in Sibiu

  • Overnight stay

• Day 5: Roșia Montană – Gold Miners’ Village

  • Transfer to the Apuseni Mountains

  • Visit and walk through the ancient mining village of Roșia Montană

  • Explore tunnels, galleries, and local museum

  • Overnight in a countryside inn

• Day 6: Mountain Villages in the Apuseni

  • Morning hike to summer hamlets nestled in the highlands

  • Traditional lunch with a shepherd family (seasonal)

  • Transfer to the Turda area

  • Overnight near Turda

• Day 7: Turda Gorges – Transfer to Maramureș

  • Hike the dramatic limestone cliffs of Turda Gorge

  • Optional visit to Turda Salt Mine

  • Afternoon transfer north to Maramureș

  • Overnight in a wooden guesthouse

• Day 8: Maramureș – Merry Cemetery and Rooster’s Crest Hike

  • Visit Săpânța’s Merry Cemetery, famous for its humorous tombstones

  • Afternoon hike to Rooster’s Crest for panoramic views

  • Overnight in a traditional Maramureș village

• Day 9: Maramureș – Wooden Churches and Village Life

  • Walking tour of nearby villages and UNESCO wooden churches

  • Interaction with local artisans and farmers

  • Optional visit to a distillery or weaving workshop

  • Overnight stay

• Day 10: Bucovina – Ciocănești Village

  • Transfer to Bucovina via scenic mountain route

  • Settle in the painted village of Ciocănești

  • Easy afternoon walk and folklore museum visit

  • Overnight in Bucovina

• Day 11: Painted Monasteries and Steam Train Ride

  • Visit Moldovița and Voroneț monasteries (UNESCO sites)

  • Afternoon steam train ride through the forested Vaser Valley

  • Return to guesthouse for traditional Bucovinian dinner

• Day 12: Via Transilvanica Trail in Bucovina

  • Hike a section of the Via Transilvanica near Putna

  • Discover forest trails, hayfields, and wooden farmhouses

  • Optional stop at a trout farm for lunch

  • Overnight in Bucovina

• Day 13: Borgo Pass and Colibița Lake

  • Scenic drive to Borgo Pass, featured in Bram Stoker’s Dracula

  • Short lakeside walk at Colibița Lake

  • Transfer to Cluj-Napoca

  • Overnight in Cluj

• Day 14: Cluj-Napoca – Departure

  • Optional city walking tour depending on flight schedule

  • Airport transfer and end of tour

14 days

• Explore Romania’s countryside on foot, averaging 10 km of walking daily
• Enjoy homemade lunches prepared by villagers using local ingredients
• Sleep in charming guesthouses that reflect the character of each region
• Visit UNESCO sites like Biertan, Voroneț, and Săpânța’s Merry Cemetery
• Hike through mountain gorges, forest trails, and traditional hamlets in Transylvania, Maramureș, and Bucovina

Prices start from 890 EUR (exact pricing may vary based on group size and additional services).

• 13 nights accommodation with breakfast in 3- or 4-star hotels or rustic guesthouses
• Daily transfers and luggage transport by private minivan
• Licensed English-speaking guide throughout the tour
• Guided hikes and walking tours as described
• Home-cooked lunches on most walking days
• All listed cultural visits and entrance fees

• This is a moderate-level walking tour; participants should be comfortable with 10 km/day walks
• Hiking routes are chosen for scenic and cultural value, with low altitude gain
• Rest days with lighter activities are included for balance and flexibility
• The tour supports local communities and follows ecotourism principles
• Single room supplements, airport transfers, and additional nights available upon request
• The tour can start from Bucharest or be customized to begin in another city