Tours of Romania

Walking in Romania: Along the Enchanted Way

Tour Map of Walking in Romania: Along the Enchanted Way

When William Blacker first crossed into the snowy landscapes of northern Romania, just after Christmas 1989, he entered a world that many people would hardly have recognised. In just a few short miles he had been transported back centuries, to a Medieval Europe of flickering candlelight and Romany Gypsies, where the remote Transylvanian landscapes still haunted childhood dreams. In his book, ‘Along the Enchanted Way’, he describes a world that was vanishing around us, with gypsy lovers and howling wolves, where the cycles of the seasons slowed to the pace of a lumbering horse and cart. This incredible journey follows in his footsteps, passing through the landscapes of rural Romania and capturing a last glimpse of a romantic world that will soon be lost forever. Beginning in the foothills of the Gutai Mountains we journey to William Blacker’s spiritual home, the village of Breb, from where we begin our adventure. Over the next few days we will walk amongst the rolling hills of the Maramures and the beautiful Iza Valley and trek through the spectacular highlands of the Rodna Mountains National Park. These are landscapes filled with unique wooden churches and painted monasteries, dark forests filled with bears and wolves and remote Saxon villages that still retain a wonderful sense of feudal Europe. For Blacker this was a world that offered an escape from the chaos of his modern existence. For us it is one that offers a chance to experience one of Europe’s last remote corners of medieval tradition.

With over 200 holidays to choose from, KE Adventure Travel has one of the very best collections of trekking and walking holidays worldwide. Graded on a scale from 1 to 12, we have holidays to suit everyone. Our tougher treks are likely to involve multi-day hikes through wilderness regions, with porter support and tented accommodation. Whilst at the other end of the scale, our softer walking holidays are more likely to be hotel or lodge-based with a day-walk format and an emphasis on uncovering the area's history, culture and cuisine. From our earliest days we've developed a range of treks that include celebrated classics such as Peru's Inca Trail trek, the ascent of Tanzania's Kilimanjaro and the ever popular Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal. Alongside these, we have always made it a priority to seek out distinctive and unique itineraries in less familiar areas such as Armenia, Cameroon, Madagascar and Burma. Whichever of our trekking or walking holidays you choose to undertake, you can be sure you'll enjoy breaking out of your day-to-day routine and exploring exotic landscapes on foot, with the chance to experience different cultures.

Transylvania Traverse - Trekking in Romania

An amazing walking holiday adventure in Transylvania trekking across the Carpathian Mountains of Romania to the summit of Moldoveanu. The Carpathian Mountains run in a great arc across Romania, rising to over 2500 metres (8200 feet) in Transylvania and include some of the wildest mountain walking in Europe. Our trekking holiday through Transylvania explores the plateau of the Bucegi Mountains and the ridges of the Fagaras Mountains of Romania, with ascents of Omu and Moldoveanu. As our introduction to the walking delights of Romania and the Carpathian Mountains, which soar dramatically above the forest and the plains below, we use a cable-car for the first part of the ascent to Omu (2505m / 8219ft), the high point of the impressive Bucegi Massif. Here we explore the Bucegi plateau by walking from the cable car to spend the night in the highest mountain hut in the whole of Romania, as well as the Carpathian Mountains themselves. The hut is dramatically situated on the summit of Omu and we can enjoy extensive views across Transylvania. Descending to Bran, a long day of walking from the Bucegi leads ominously to the castle nowadays more often referred to as "Castle Dracula". Leaving Dracula and Bran behind we transfer to the impressive Fagaras Mountains, also known as the Transylvanian Alps. Here we begin an exciting 4-day trekking traverse of the Fagaras range/Transylvanian Alps which will take us on high ridge walking trails to Moldoveanu (2545m / 8347ft)), the highest peak in all of Romania. Staying in comfortable, friendly Romanian pensions and scenically located mountain huts, this is wild European mountain walking at its very best. Culturally intact, Romania is a revelation, offering a fascinating glimpse of how much of Europe would have been a century ago. Bram Stoker never actually visited Transylvania when he wrote ‘Dracula' - but you can! A week of 'fangtastic' trekking amongst mountains, forests and medieval Romanian villages, where wolves and bears still roam wild will enchant and delight even the most seasoned walking enthusiast.

With over 200 holidays to choose from, KE Adventure Travel has one of the very best collections of trekking and walking holidays worldwide. Graded on a scale from 1 to 12, we have holidays to suit everyone. Our tougher treks are likely to involve multi-day hikes through wilderness regions, with porter support and tented accommodation. Whilst at the other end of the scale, our softer walking holidays are more likely to be hotel or lodge-based with a day-walk format and an emphasis on uncovering the area's history, culture and cuisine. From our earliest days we've developed a range of treks that include celebrated classics such as Peru's Inca Trail trek, the ascent of Tanzania's Kilimanjaro and the ever popular Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal. Alongside these, we have always made it a priority to seek out distinctive and unique itineraries in less familiar areas such as Armenia, Cameroon, Madagascar and Burma. Whichever of our trekking or walking holidays you choose to undertake, you can be sure you'll enjoy breaking out of your day-to-day routine and exploring exotic landscapes on foot, with the chance to experience different cultures.

Timeless Transylvania - Walks and Wonders

Hidden away from tourism for the duration of the Communist regime, Transylvania is a land of delights. Only part of Romania since 1918,Transylvania has it's own distinct identity defined by the people, the culture and the Carpathian Mountains which arc majestically through the region. Known as the home of Count Dracula, Transylvania is a land of myth and legend, but also a land of untouched nature - virgin forests, unspoiled mountain ranges, breathtaking scenery and friendly people. This holiday includes leisurely-paced walks in the Carpathian Mountains - the Bucegi, Fagaras and Piatra Craiului massifs - plus the cultural highlights of the region. Starting with a visit to the fairy-tale Peles Palace, former home of King Carol I, we take a day-hike on the Bucegi Plateau where we are rewarded by awe-inspiring views before transferring to the ancient Saxon village of Viscri, where stay for 2 nights in guesthouse homestay accommodation in the heart of this remote village, a favourite place for Prince Charles when he visited the area in 2013. Our simple homestay accommodation is charming, with rooms furnished in old-fashioned Saxon style. Staying with families means we can sample the local epicurean specialties and is the best way to experience the local culture. Driving up into the Fagaras mountains on the famous Transfagaraian Road, lauded by Top Gear as one of the best drives in the world, we hike up to a high pass with ridge-top views. Our next stop is the Piatra Craiului National Park, where the Oscar-winning Cold Mountain was filmed. We enjoy the scenery with another walk taking in the virgin forests and a high viewpoint before enjoying a traditional BBQ dinner with our local hosts. From here it's on to Bran Castle, legendary home of Count Dracula, arriving local-style by horse and cart. An overnight stay in the atmospheric medieval town of Brasov with its distinctive Baroque architecture ends our visit to timeless Transylvania. Transferring to the capital Bucharest, we take a tour of the city's sights including the Palace of the Parliament, former home of Nicolae Ceauscescu, before enjoying a final celebratory dinner and reflecting on the variety of experiences Transylvania has opened to us.

Over more than 30 years Explore has developed a diverse and exciting range of more than 100 walking and trekking holidays. Whether you’re new to walking holidays, a casual hiker or a seasoned trekker you will find plenty of expertly planned walks and treks to choose from. We specialise in small group walking and trekking holidays. On these you will be in a group of up to 16 along with an experienced tour leader. Depending on the trek you may also have guides, porters, muleteers, cooks and camping crew with you too. For many trekkers the camaraderie with the crew is one of the highlights of the holiday.

Trekking the Transylvanian Alps

Tour Map of Trekking the Transylvanian Alps

On this walking tour in Romania we experience local hospitality, discover beautiful countryside and explore historic towns. We travel deep into the Transylvanian Alps, the legendary home of Dracula. We walk through the imposing Bran Valley and return to welcoming mountain huts to enjoy delicious meals.