Trekking in Romania: Get Ready for a Real Adventure

Are you planning a vacation trekking in Romania? Don’t hesitate. You’re in for a real adventure in one of the most surprising destinations in Europe.

You have plenty of options, whether you’re looking for a wilderness adventure or a more tranquil trek that includes village stays and more cultural discoveries.

We can recommend you five itineraries to help you plan your trekking tour in Romania. With a duration that varies from three days to a couple of weeks, these routes have all you need to

Discover five great itineraries for trekking in Romania.

1. Via Transilvanica: Looking for the Romanian identity

Starts: Putna (Neamt County)

Ends: Drobeta Turnu Severin (Mehedinty County)

Duration: a couple of weeks

Photo source: www.facebook.com/ViaTransilvanica

Via Transilvanica offers you a more cultural alternative to the high-altitude trekking routes. But don’t underestimate the time or effort to cross a part of Romania, from the Danube River in the south up to Putna Monastery from northern Bucovina.

The route, still an ongoing project of the NGO Tasuleasa Social, is the best and slow-paced way to discover Romania.

Via Transilvanica crosses seven regions, each one with a distinctive cultural heritage or a particular identity. Nature makes its mark across the entire itinerary, alongside historical landmarks, small villages, and must-see towns like Alba Iulia, Sighisoara, and Medias.

Explore the entire route on Google Maps.

You can find all the details you need on www.viatransilvanica.com, including guidebooks and maps.

2. From Ohaba Ponor to Paltinis: Four days and two mountains

Starts: Ohaba Ponor (Hunedoara County

Ends: Paltinis (Sibiu County)

Duration: 4 days

Sureanu Mountains

Enjoy four days of Carpathian trekking in Romania. The route starts close to Petrosani, in Ohaba Ponor. Ideally, you will reach Federi village by car to make the first day a bit easier. The highlights of the first day are the unique landscape from Fundatura Ponorului and the scattered huts you will see along the way to Gradistea de Munte.

You can choose from one of the many guest houses in this village, preferably one that can arrange a car transfer to Sarmizegetusa Regia for the following morning. This way you save at least two hours walking on asphalt.

The long trail of the second day starts right from the ancient site and continues to Godeanu Peak and further to the plateau, Patru, and Sureanu Peaks, before descending to Poiana Poarta Raiului.

Oasa Lake, Transalpina

You have again many accommodation options, a rather weird image after a hike in almost complete wilderness. You’ll spend just one night here, and continue in the morning to Oasa Lake, one of the most scenic images of the Transalpina Road.

The last day is just as long and fabulous as the first two. You’ll cross the ridge of the Cindrel Mountains all the way to Paltinis, one of the oldest resorts in Romania.

The closest city is Sibiu. You can reach it in less than an hour by bus.

Don’t forget to buy hiking maps of the Sureanu and Cindrel Mountains.

3. From Balan to the Red Lake: The surprising Eastern Carpathians

Starts: Balan (Harghita County)

Ends: Red Lake (Neamt County)

Duration: 2-3 days

This is the perfect itinerary if you have limited time for trekking in Romania. The route crosses a segment of the Eastern Carpathians, and it can be done even by families with older kids. The only thing to consider is that you’ll need to bring your camping gear and enough food for the three days.

Your departing point is in the small town of Balan and your destination for the day is Piatra Singuratica Hut, only two hours away, set in an almost fairytale location.

The second day is panoramic. In less than two hours you’ll reach Hasmasu Mare Peak (1,782 meters). From here, you’ll start a splendid descent to Poiana Alba, the intermediary point to the Red Lake. You’ll find small refuge there and a camping area where you can spend the night or continue for 3-4 hours to the Red Lake. The route is spectacular until the end.

Be aware of the many sheepfolds. Make enough noise for the shepherd to hear you or avoid close contact with the dogs.

Buy the hiking map Giurgeu-Hasmas to plan your trip.

4. The Fagaras Ridge: Push past your limits trekking in Romania

Starts: Plaiul Foii (Brasov County)

Ends: Turnu Rosu (Sibiu County)

Duration: 7-10 days

View from the ridge

The Fagaras is the tallest, most abrupt, and, for many, the most impressive mountain in the country. Crossing their ridge is a fabulous trekking adventure. You’ll camp on alpine meadows, enjoy superb panoramas but you’ll also make long daily hikes above 2,000 meters.

The numbers paint a better picture. You’ll cross a total length of almost 80 km, hike eight peas above 2,500 meters, with a total elevation gain of 7,449 meters and a loss of 6,959 meters.

This route requires the most detailed planning of all our suggestions. Start with the basics, buy the map from Muntii Nostri and micromanage each day. Where will start and end your hike? Will you camp or stay in one of the few high-altitude huts? Where will you find water? How much food do you need each day?

Adjust the plans to your actual experience and fitness level. Consider how many hours can you hike daily without being too exhausted for the following trail.

5. Retezat Mountains: Four days in the blue eyes land

Starts/Ends: Carnic (Hunedoara County)

Duration: 4 days

Hikers in Retezat Mountains

With its over 80 high-altitude glacial lakes and tarns, Retezat Mountains is one of the most picturesque alpine landscapes in Europe. A four-day trek here will be one of the most memorable in your life.

The best part is you don’t even need to carry your tent if you make your bookings in advance at Pietrele and Buta Huts.

The first day is short, just two hours to Pietrele Hut via Lolaia Waterfall. The second day takes you right to the heart of the national park, Bucura Lake, the largest glacial lake in Romania, and then to Buta Hut after a 9-hour hike.

The following day is even more intense. A 12-hour hike from Buta Hut back to Pietrele will take you across some of the highest peaks in Romania. This is the last major effort before hiking back to Carnic on the fourth day.

You can find the detailed itinerary on Blogul de Calatorii.

Romania is still an exotic trekking destination for most travelers who enjoy this thrilling experience. Don’t wait for it to become mainstream to plan a vacation here. We can guarantee you’ll have a great time.