Cycling through Transylvania – Transylvania, Romania, is the best way to fully know this beautiful and original city. Get ready to live a completely unique and, without a doubt, cozy experience, taking a fun and relaxing walk through the remote villages and incredible gardens of Transylvania. Only you and a small group of people enjoying the small pleasures of life riding a bicycle.
Things to do
The Carpathian Mountains
As described in the storybooks, with wild forests, medieval castles, and howling wolves, it really is Romania. However, there is still much more waiting to be explored. The Carpathian Mountains is one of those magical places. It surrounds Transylvania and offers you a magnificent landscape with hundreds of trails and paths ideal for mountain biking. Without a doubt, being able to enjoy this virgin natural beauty is a privilege. In addition, the landscape becomes completely seductive due to the fact that it is a rare place in Europe.
Sighisoara – Malancrav
This is one of the best known and most incredible routes. Leaving Sighisoara, start your bike tour. Cycle while admiring the rich surroundings and up a hill. Then you will encounter a fairytale descent, are kilometers and kilometers of a spectacular meadow, full of beautiful flowers. In addition, you will also find centenary oak trees and birds flying over your head. After passing the first town, Stejareni, the landscape opens up on a paved and gravel road and then continues through an immense dream meadow.
Malancrav – Biertan
On this route, you can admire a little more of Romania’s culture. Enjoy the Saxon heritage of Transylvania and some sites named world heritage by UNESCO. Without a doubt, you must make a small stop to rest in the town of Copsa Mare. In this place in addition to knowing a picturesque town and the friendly locals, you will also know a small fortified church of the 14th century, an icon of the place. On the other hand, you can not miss the local talent in terms of crafts.
Viscri – Rupea
Cycling along this route will appear before you an amazing panoramic view of the medieval fortress of Rupea. This is a mandatory stop, so take a break and head to meet one of Transylvania’s biggest fortresses. You can continue with the road to Homorod and get to know some of the churches and fortresses that the town has. In addition to seeing horse-drawn carriages, beautiful green pastures and ancient forests, this never hurts. If you wish to return, you can take a train at the station to Brașov or Sighișoara.
How to get there
There are three main airports: Transylvania International Airport (TGM), Sibiu International Airport (SBZ) and Cluj-Napoca Airport (CLJ). From Europe, you can find nonstop flights to these cities. On the other hand, you can also take a train from Budapest, Hungary, and Vienna, Austria.
When to go
From April to October. May and June are especially beautiful.
How long do I go for
Most tours last between six and eight days. However, you can also find one of a day, in case you are passing through.
Opening and Closing Hours
Each agency offers different schedules for the tours. In the same way, it is better to start the day trip to admire the beauty of nature, birds, green meadows and flowers with sunlight.
Planning
The membership in the EU and the arrival of cheap flights from London and other cities in Western Europe have made Romania easier to visit, and the country’s tourist infrastructure is constantly improving. However, mountain biking is relatively new and the facilities are not well developed. Most people make specialized visits with prior reservation. On the other hand, this activity is attracting more tourists every day, so it is advisable to book in advance the lodgings in the villages where you spend the night during the tour. However, depending on the agency you choose, accommodation may be included.
Inside Information
If you want to go alone, you can rent mountain bikes and other equipment in sinaia and busteni for the Bucegi Massif and the ski resort of Poiana Brasov farther north near Brasov. Remember that it can get very hot, so it is not advisable to cycle in very extreme temperatures. Wear comfortable clothes and sunscreen.
History
It is common to associate Transylvania with the city of the famous Dracula, the vampire story of Bram Stoker. However, this city has much more than that. It includes the Carpathian mountain range and the Apuseni mountains. In the twelfth century, the German people who resided in the city were known as the Transylvanian Saxons. But, when the communist regime fell in 1989, these same people fled to West Germany.
Websites
Other Nearby Attractions
Bran Castle
Located northeast of Brasov is this medieval castle, which on the outside seems the perfect setting for a horror movie. This castle keeps the Dracula legend of Bram Stoker. It was built on a rock 200 meters high and highlights its imposing towers and towers. This castle has 60 rooms, narrow stairs, and many secret passages. Although on the outside it can be scary, on the inside it is quite the opposite. Its corridors stand out in white color and are adorned with collections of furniture, weapons, and armor from the 14th to the 19th centuries.
Bucharest
Although at first glance it does not attract much attention, Bucharest is as dynamic as it is fun. In its streets, you can admire the ancient touch in its varied Orthodox churches, the Palace of Parliament, or you can also see the elegant side in the art nouveau villas. On the other hand, modern is also present in some cafes that are in the city. In addition, there is also one of the largest buildings in the world, the “House of the People”, an amazing place that must be seen to be believed.
Cluj-Napoca
It is the second-largest city in Romania. This city has been evolving and offering tourists something newer. There is no way to get bored in this place, among bars, restaurants, bohemian cafes, music festivals, and even nightclubs. If you are an art lover, then you can also enjoy this center of contemporary art. Because there are many students in this city, the atmosphere you feel is youthful, cheerful and fun. In addition, if you want to escape a second of all this, you can always go through the wonderful meadows and connect with nature.
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