| Departures | | From April to the end of October. |
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| VILLAGES OF THE CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS | price from 519 € | | Romania - Independent walking - 8 days |
| Piatra Craiului and Bucegi are the most popular and the most appreciated mountains in Romania. The mountain of Piatra Craiului, the longest mountain chain in limestone of Romania, is also a flora and fauna paradise. The hikes in this national park, in the middle of pastures, sheepfolds and forests will not leave you indifferent. The houses of the inhabitants abandon valleys to perch on trays to avoid attacks. These scattered villages, among the highest of Romania, seem to remain congealed in the time. A journey in the middle of a wild nature which shelter brown bears, chamois, wolves and lynxes, perfectly mixed with a pastoral tradition. An unforgettable journey. |
Day 1 Reception in Bucharest.
Beginning of the journey in Bucharest. Arrival before 2:00 pm. Reception at the airport if you arrive by plane and transfer by public transportation at the station. Reception at the station or at your hotel if you are already in the area. Train to Zarnesti (with a change in Brasov). Night in Zarnesti. |
Day 2 Toward the crest of Piatra Craiului.
Hiking toward the crest of Piatra Craiului by the Valley of Crapaturii, a narrow valley which offers very beautiful landscapes opened on the surrounding trays. Port of luggage for 2 days. Overnight stay in the refuge of Curmatura. ~4h, 13km, +650m,-150m. |  |
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Day 3 Scattered villages.
Contemplative trek through immenses forests and pastures with sights on the crest that we left the day before. Arrival at the feet of the mountain in traditionals villages. Night in Magura. ~3h, 10km, -550m, +100m. |
Day 4 Castle of Bran.
Day free: you can stroll in the village or do a little excursion outside of this pastoral world to visit the Castle of Bran. This castle, built further a favour granted by Ludovic d'Anjou in the 14th century to the inhabitants of the region, always had a role of defence against the migratory peoples and, later, it protected Transylvania from the Ottoman invasions. The castle was also associated during a long time with the prince Vlad Tepes of Walachia. Born in Transylvania, he is at the origin of the fictional character of Dracula. Go with cart and return on foot. ~5h, 17km, +550m, -400m. |  |
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Day 5 Zarnesti’s Gorges.
Hike by the Zarnesti's gorges. These gorges present verticals walls of 200m and offer, during autumn, colours of an extreme variety. Night in Pestera. ~3h30, 9km, -150m, +250m. |
Day 6 Pastures and sheepfolds.
Hike in the middle of pastures, sheepfolds, woods and scattered villages. Night in Sirnea. ~4h, 13km, +150m, -150m. |
Day 7 Floral paradise.
Continue to hike at the feet of the Piatra Craiului’s mountains in this magnificent landscape and through these villages which seem to remain indifferent at the passage of time. Take time and enjoy it. Night in Ciocanu or in Dâmboviciara. ~5h, 14km, +400m, -300m. |  |
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Day 8 End of stay.
Departure by cart then by car to join Brasov, where from we will take the train to Bucharest. This is the occasion to see again landscapes which welcomed you during the week and to have a global image of this rural and mountain world. Arrival at Bucharest late in the afternoon. End of the journey. |
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| Details | Starting point
Bucharest airport or Bucharest train station.
End
Bucharest airport or Bucharest train station.
How to get there
By plane: Otopeni or Baneasa airports in Bucharest.
By train : Bucharest train station.
Accommodation
Nights in guest-houses in rooms of 2 persons. Mostly 2 stars accommodation, except day 2 in mountain refuge without running water and with WC outside.
Number of people
Minimum of 2 persons.
Level of difficulty
Requires a medium fitness level. Maximum of 5H walking a day.
Carrying
The transfers of your luggage is ensured except day 2. You only have to carry your things needed for the day (picnic, camera...) and day 2 you have to carry your things for 2 days.
Options
- Private transportation (instead of train) from Brasov station to Zarnesti : 48€
Included
The nights, meals, roadbook, maps, transfer of luggage, permenently contactable local assistance.
Not included
Transfer to the meeting point and to the drop off point, the insurances, the drinks and the personal expenses.
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