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Transylvania

Slow Cycling in Transylvania

"Rich rewards await those who explore Transylvania's hidden corners on two wheels"

Nigel Tisdall, The Financial Times

When to go

April to Oct

Price from

£2,985

Duration

5 - 6 nights

Activity level

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Enchanted Saxon Transylvania | Classic Journey

Set in the bucolic foothills of Romania's Carpathian Mountains, Transylvania is an outpost of medieval Europe. Cycle and walk through pastoral landscapes, eat at some of Romania's best private tables, and sleep in lovingly restored guest houses in the Saxon villages. This is a land like no other.

Travel along peaceful tracks, wildflower meadows and narrow forest trails, discovering Transylvania's traditional villages and imposing fortified churches along the way. Journeying by electric bike and on foot provides a deep immersion into an extraordinary part of Europe.

A Slow Cyclist picnic in Transylvania, Romania

Journey Highlights

  • Discover the charming architecture and fascinating history of Transylvania, a most surprising region
  • Move at your own pace through a land of staggering natural and cultural beauty where time slows down
  • Visit lovingly restored churches, mansions and village houses, and meet those keeping local crafts and traditions alive
  • Cycle through magical forests and meadows, disappeared from much of Europe, but very much alive in Transylvania
  • Sample farm to table cuisine, in local homes or at magical picnic tables. Always accompanied by fantastic wines and spirits
Apafi Manor in Malancrav, an 18th century traditional house in Transylvania, restored by the Mihai Emenescu Trust and where Slow Cyclists stay on their journey.
Misty hills in Transylvania, Romania, seen on a Slow Cyclist journey

Itinerary

Our 5-night cycling holiday takes in the charming Saxon villages, ancient oak and beech forests and famous wildflower meadows of southern Transylvania. We are happy to offer shorter or longer options for private small groups, and have a range of extension options for those who would like to discover more of Romania.
Transfer 2.5 hours

A member of the team will meet you at the airport and drive you to Copsa Mare, a tiny village in the heart of Saxon Transylvania. There we will stay in a beautifully restored series of houses throughout the village. In the main house, a traditional dinner will be prepared for us by our friend Giovanna, the owner.

Cycling 25 kms, Walking 2 hours

We will set off from Copsa Mare to Nou Sasesc either by foot or by bike, depending on the weather conditions. There we'll have a picnic. In the afternoon we will walk over a series of forested ridges to Malancrav, where we will stay in a sumptuous 15th Century Hungarian mansion. The property sleeps only 8 so, depending on the size of the group, a couple of village houses may also be required (we endeavour to share the best rooms fairly throughout the week). Our evening will be spent dining at the manor house.

Cycling 39 kms

After visiting the fortified church in Malancrav, home to some of the best frescoes in Romania, we will spend the morning cycling to Stejarenii for a picnic lunch in the meadows. In the afternoon we’ll climb to Breite, a sprawling Saxon planted oak forest, and continue to Sighisoara’s celebrated citadel, the alleged birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. Supper is close to the citadel and we will stay at an elegantly restored Gothic townhouse.

Cycling 30 kms, Walking 2 hours (or 17 kms cycling)

We will walk through Sighisoara in the morning, exploring the citadel’s history, before setting off on trails to Saschiz for lunch with our friends Anca and Charlie, some of the first members of Slow Food Transylvania. The trails give way to a long descent through forests into Crit, for dinner in the simple home of Rozi, Nicu and family. Nicu will cook a mean barbeque in their apple orchard. Another restored Saxon house is our home tonight.

Walking 2 hours, Cycling 20 kms

We will walk to perfectly situated Mesendorf for lunch with Adi and Oana in their barn. Then it is back in the saddle for an incredible ride across Transylvania’s finest sheep grazing country. Our last night is in a comfortable traditional guest house in Viscri, the village that first attracted King Charles to the region, and where he still owns a house.

After a morning spent exploring Viscri’s UNESCO fortified church we will head for a farewell lunch before we say goodbye and send you on your way to the airport.

Dates & Availability

If you would prefer to travel to Transylvania in a private group, enquire now for availability.

Go private

What's Included?

It’s rare in small group travel, but at The Slow Cyclist we include everything from the moment you land in Romania. We are often told by our guests how great it is to forget about their wallet and focus on the experience.

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    Electric Bikes

    A premium electric mountain bike, best suited to the terrain.

  • guides icon

    Guides & Hosts

    A dedicated Slow Cyclist host to look after you along the way and two local guides who know Transylvania's landscapes and history inside out.

  • transfers icon

    Transfers

    Airport transfers on arrival and departure, and you never need to carry any bags as your luggage is transported ahead each day.

  • accommodation icon

    Accommodation, Food & Drinks

    Charming, beautifully restored Transylvanian guest houses, delicious locally sourced and home-cooked food, and all drinks and snacks.

  • activities icon

    Activities

    All cultural visits and activities, from visiting fortified churches to meeting local artisans. And as ever with The Slow Cyclist, plenty of surprises too.

Sun on the green hills of Transylvania, where Slow Cyclist walk and cycle
Cyclists in the meadows of Transylvania on a Slow Cyclist journey

Walking and Cycling in Transylvania

Transylvania is a dream destination for cycling and walking. You'll walk through a mix of pastoral and wild landscapes, from deciduous forests to high pastures and wildflower meadows. The cycling offers a wonderful mix of quiet tarmac roads, gravel roads, cart tracks, meadows and narrow forest trails. It's important that you have good general fitness, but our bike guides can help you to hone your skills on the e-bike.

A Slow Cyclist guide and host in Transylvania, Romania

Guiding & Support

Our attention to detail sets us apart. On your Transylvania cycling holiday, you will be accompanied by a Slow Cyclist host. In addition, you will be looked after by two of our local guides throughout. Your bags will be driven ahead each day and a support vehicle will be on hand (although never too close) in case you need a lift.

A guest house in Transylvania, decorated with traditional Romanian crafts, where Slow Cyclists stay on a journey in Romania

Accommodation

We avoid big, soulless hotels, preferring intimate Transylvanian guest houses. These have been beautifully restored using local crafts and hand-painted furniture. You'll be fed well here, with the freshest ingredients from local farms and gardens. To help you get a good night’s sleep we provide luxury pillows.

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How to book

There are two ways to travel with us. You can either travel on a set-date Scheduled Journey or put together your own private party.
Make new friends

Scheduled Journeys

A wonderful opportunity to explore a fascinating part of the world, meet like-minded travellers and make new friends in a group of Slow Cyclists assembled by us.

Scheduled Journeys
Travel with friends

Private Journeys

If you love the look of Transylvania and would like to experience it in a small group of family or friends, get in touch and we will explain how we can make it happen.

Private Journeys

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