Romania - Mountain bike tour: Carpathian / Transylvanian Alps 8 days

Together with our local partners, we have mapped out a fantastic mountain bike trail in the Carpathian Alps (also known as the Transylvanian Alps), which are little-known to Western tourists. Along this route you will traverse the beautiful Bucegi trail, with its dense forests and breath-taking gorges. The views from the mountain passes are absolutely spectacular. The Carpathians are also the natural habitat of the brown bear. You will also meet the friendly locals and learn about their culture. Among other things, you will visit a sheep farm that makes artisan cheese. About 55% of the journey is on single tracks.

In addition to many single track and cross country routes, the varied programme also has a number of downhill runs.

Level: you must be a reasonable to well-trained cyclist. (In other words, aside from good basic conditioning some downhill experience and technical competence is recommended.)

Total elevation and distance: 7.400 m above sea level and 215 km.

While it does not appear to be that many kilometres, you should realise that there are many single track sections along the trail.

On average, you are going to be cycling for seven hours a day.

This program is a so-called Bike-in, Bike-out, which is to say: there are no interim transfers.

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival at the airport, transportation to Brasov, the biggest city close to Bucegi. Assembling of bikes, getting to know each-other  and presentation of the next-days program. Accommodation in double rooms at a 3* hotel in Brasov, close to the city center. 

Breakfast included

Day 2: Postavaru Mountain round tour

The first day we make a warm up round tour in the vicinity of Brasov, up to the mountain resort Poiana Brasov on a forestry road and down to the city on a thrilling forest single trail.

Various combinations of trails available.

 (Elevation gain: 1000–1500 m / 4–6 hours of cycling). 

Accommodation at the same hotel in Brasov.

Included services: breakfast, sandwiches for lunch.

Day 3: Poiana Brasov to Poiana Secuilor

Starting the biking day with another climb to Poiana Brașov. From there, we follow a beautiful singletrack through the forests of the Postăvaru Mountains. Along the way, we pass meadows dotted with centuries-old oak trees and enjoy stunning views of the Postăvaru and Bucegi Mountains.

Before the final climb to the mountain hut at Poiana Secuilor, we visit the spectacular Râșnoavei Gorges. Again, there are a few options during the day to make the ride shorter or longer.

(31 km, elevation gain: 1250 m / 5–6 hours of cycling)

Overnight stay in a mountain hut, B&B basis.

Day 4: Poiana Secuilor to Busteni

After leaving the hut, we bike on singletracks through the forests of Fetifoiu forrest ridge towards the baese of the Bucegi Mountains. A climb on a dirt road brings us to Cabana Diham mountain hut, where we can get a cold/hot drink. From here we continue on a long singletrack to Bușteni, enjoying amazing flow sections with technical parts, and some short steep climbs (including two carry bike segments)

(28 km, elevation gain: 1000 m / 5–6 hours of cycling)

Overnight stay at a 3 stars hotel, B&B basis.

Day 5: Bucegi high plateau 

Today we literally and figuratively reach one of the highlights of the tour! After riding down the main road to Sinaia (a winter sports town), we take the cable car up to the Bucegi Plateau at 2000 meters. From here, we follow a spectacular singletrack to the highest peak of the Bucegi, Omu (2505 m). Along the way, we stop at the famous geological formations Babele and Sphinx.

We continue along singletracks through beautiful alpine meadows, with the crossing at Cerdac being particularly impressive. We take a break at the Omu mountain hut before descending via an old singletrack to Padina, at 1500 m altitude.

(30 km, elevation gain: 1100 m / 6–7 hours of cycling)

Overnight stay at a 3 stars hotel, B&B basis.

Day 6: Bugeci plateau to the village of Șimon

We leave the Bucegi Plateau via the Strunga Pass—a great test of our mountain biking skills! The climb to Strunga Pass is steep and technical, a test of balance at low speed. Then we descend: rocky and technical at first, then flowing through alpine meadows and forests. Stunning views of the hills surrounding Bran Castle and the massive Bucegi cliffs accompany the ride. (30 km, elevation gain: 1000 m / 5 hours of cycling)

Optional: an additional 5 km (300 m elevation gain) via Moieciu de Sus.

Overnight in the village of Șimon at a family run accommodation, enjoying delicious local dishes (breakfast and dinner) prepared by our host.

Day 7: Bran country and Piatra Craiului National Park

A fantastic way to wrap up this mountain biking week: Cruising on local dirt roads through scenic mountain villages, climbing and descending along singletracks and dirt roads through meadows and forests. Start the day with a transfer on asphalt road towards the Piatra Craiului National Park, followed by a climb on a dirt road up to Magura village. A narrow singletrack leads us down to the Zărnești Gorges, then we climb again along impressive rock faces to the idyllic Piatra Craiului all the way to Curmatura mountain hut. A short break before the juicy singletrail descent back to the dirt road. Another climb and a final descent via Pestera village takes us back to our guesthouse in Șimon.

(55 km, elevation gain: 1400 m / 7–8 hours of cycling)

Overnight stay, half board (dinner included).

Day 8: transfer to the airport of Bucharest

Departure  - Preparations for the departure (pack the bikes, etc). If the schedule allows it, a visit to Bran Castle on the way to the airport can be included.