7 Day Transylvanian Fortifications Cycling Tour in Romania
Romania Bike Tour
The Saxon heritage of Transylvania is currently one of the most appreciated experiences for visitors. Bike in Time's will is to offer not only the most important sites but also the hidden treasures of the middle age heritage.
Key information
- Trip type: Guided
- Lodging: Point to Point
- Starts in: Bucharest
- Ends in: Sibiu
- Total Distance: 187 Miles / 300 Kilometers
- Type of bike: Gravel or hybrid bicycles (included)
Highlights
- 4 days of riding
- Ride through villages, rivers, towns, and cities
- Excursions to various attractions
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily meals
- All luggage transfers and vehicle assistance
- Transfers to and from the airport
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Accommodation
You will stay in old-renovated manors, old-refurbished guesthouses, and four-star hotels.
Program
Fortresses, churches, and museums are part of this valuable heritage, but in the tour, Bike in Time would like to show you the local artisans, the landscapes, the gastronomy, and the living traditions, having similar importance. They are looking forward to guiding you on a unique journey through the Transylvanian wilderness, showing you the hidden treasures they want to keep only for guests. The tour includes visits to local crafts and culinary experiences as well as spectacular landscapes and rides through endless forests.
- Distance: 300 kilometers / 187 miles
- Activity level: Medium
Daily itinerary
Day 1: Meeting in Bucharest and transfer to Brasov by car
- Distance: 180 kilometers / 112 miles
- Meals: lunch on the way, dinner in Brasov
Your first day is the “get together” day in Bucharest and transfer to Brasov. On the way, you will have a short stop in Sinaia for lunch and visit the historical Peles Castle - the former royal summer residence. Time to check your bikes, visit the city of Brasov, and meet the local cuisine. Overnight in Brasov or Sanpetru.
Day 2: Brasov to the old-manor area
- Distance: 60 kilometers / 38 miles
- Terrain: Asphalt and gravel road, rolling hills
- Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner
After breakfast, you are leaving Brasov by bike, following a quiet road along the villages. You will have a picnic lunch on the way and then continue the route to the Varghis area, where a few manors and historical houses that survived the communist era are renovated and transformed into guesthouses with a high level of comfort. You will accommodate one of them and visit a few historical places and a local blacksmith - an artisan who is still using traditional methods for creating unique pieces of art from iron. Overnight in a historical manor or traditional guesthouse.
Day 3: Varghis to Viscri along Olt River
- Distance: 70 kilometers / 44 miles
- Terrain: Asphalt and gravel road, rolling hills
- Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner
After breakfast, you will leave your hosts for a wild route along the Olt River. After 24 kilometers on a gravel road, you will visit the most recent volcano in Romania - Racos. Here, you can still see the remains of the volcano, the “emerald lake” and the basalt columns made from the lava of a volcano. You are continuing your route and have lunch at the base of a former military fortress during the middle age in Rupea. In the afternoon, you will reach Viscri - the success story of Transylvania, a village that managed to survive the communist era and not totally transformed into a tourist site.
The whole site and the fortified church are included in the UNESCO World Heritage, and Prince Charles of Wales is the owner of a house in this village. The locals are promoting the traditional crafts, the local cuisine, and the natural landscape of the place - as it is one of the last European areas where the traditions are still maintained. You will accommodate the local houses, visit the bricklayer and the fortified church, and then have a well-deserved dinner in the yard of a local house. Overnight in one of the local guesthouses in the village.
Day 4: Viscri to Saschiz, then transfer by car to Sighisoara
- Distance: 40 kilometers / 25 miles
- Meals: breakfast and lunch
You will start the morning with your ride following the “Transylvanian Hills cycling route”. Keen cyclists can do the whole route from Viscri to Sighisoara, but you can also perform a second option from Viscri to Bunesti, then Crit, Cloasterf, and Saschiz. From Saschiz, you will be transferred to Sighisoara by car. Depending on your arrival in Sighisoara, you can have a short visit to the citadel before dinner. Overnight in Sighisoara, in the old city center. Dinner on your own.
Day 5: Sighisoara to Carta
- Distance: 80 kilometers / 50 miles
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Today you are experiencing two different emotions: a new project in a small village, where foreign students are trying to bring back to life the village of Movile; then, experience a middle-fortified city that is still inhabited, one of the architectural jewelry - Sighisoara, part of UNESCO World Heritage. On your way, you will cross “the center of the country”, close to Dealu Frumos village. The total ride is 75 kilometers, out of which 10 kilometers off road, just before Movile village.
In Movile, you will have lunch organized by the locals. After lunch, you can visit the curious landscape of Movile (100 hits). In the afternoon, you will arrive in Carta - once an important place due to its Cistercian Monastery - currently in ruin, but still to be visited. You are accommodating the old parish house, near Olt River. Overnight in Carta, near the old monastery. Dinner is organized by your hosts.
Day 6: Carta to Sibiu
- Distance: 45 kilometers / 28 miles
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
From Carta to Sibiu, you have 45 kilometers along the Olt River. The route is parallel with the Fagaras Mountains, a spectacular view of this beautiful mountain chain. The climb from the Olt River to Cornatel village is also spectacular, offering the chance to admire the river from above. Then you are descending to Sibiu, the former European Cultural Capital, back in 2007. You will visit this beautiful city and have a memorable farewell dinner in the city center. Picnic lunch on the way. Overnight in Sibiu. Farewell dinner.
Day 7: Departure
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye. Optional transfer by car from Sibiu to Bucharest.
- Meals: breakfast
Bicycles and equipment
Bike in Time can offer bicycles and additional outdoor equipment. Their bicycles are of quality up to international standards, produced by renowned makers. During the tour, a participant is liable for using the equipment, damage other than the normal wear and tear, and in case of theft. If you decide to bring your bike it must be in suitable condition. For your comfort and safety, they are required to wear a helmet, up to international standards of safety, at all times when riding a bike. They are offering helmets at no additional cost.
Location
The tour will take place in Romania.
Food
You will be served daily meals except for one dinner included in the price.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
What's included
- Cycling tour
- 6 nights accommodation
- Full board meals except for 1 dinner
- Detailed trip description and program, maps, GPS maps (on request)
- The knowledge, support, and camaraderie of experienced guides (Romanian, English, French or German speaking possible)
- All luggage transfers and transportation during the trip
- Vehicle assistance during the day
- Comprehensive trip literature and branded merchandise
- Gravel or hybrid bicycles
- Bike helmets
- Entrance fees for all group events or activities
- Tickets to several cultural and historical sights in the itinerary
- Local taxes
What's not included
- Airfare
- Additional gear equipment (available on request)
- Alcoholic and additional drinks or meals during the program
- 1 dinner
- Lodging before and after the trip
- Tips for your cycling guide (5-10% trip price) or at restaurants (5-10% of the bill)
- Extra charges for laundry telephone or fax charges, room service, etc.
- Individual travel insurance
- Individual insurance for special activities (recommended)
- Optional activities not scheduled in the program
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Henri Coandă International Airport
125 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) or Brasov-Ghimbav International Airport (GHV). Transfers from and to these airports are included. Bike in Time will pick you up from the airports.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.