Mountain hiking in the area of ​​Transylvania

If you are passionate about hiking and interested in the culture of the Transylvanian villages, you can access this article to discover some routes that will give you the opportunity to explore rural Romania and the cultural history of the Transylvanian Saxons, as well as contemporary village life.

Trails of easy difficulty:

Bâlea Cascada, Transfăgărășan

Bâlea Cascăda is located in the Făgăraș Mountains. The route starts in front of the cabin Balea Cascada next to Transfăgărășan road. The route is marked with a red circle and takes half an hour, being considered a route of easy difficulty. At the end of the route is the Bâlea Waterfall, and next to it a landscape that takes your breath away.

Via Transilvanica, Biertan-Mălâncrav

This route represents a small part of the Via Transilvanica route that crosses the entire country from south to north. The route is of easy difficulty and is marked with an orange "T", a sign specific to the "Via Transilvanica" route. The road shown starts from "Richiș" and has the final destination in "Florești". It presents both beautiful landscapes and villages that hide traditions from ancient times. Crossing this Via Transilvanica route is a dream and worth going. This route can be extended, being incorporated into the "Church-Fortress-Trail". The Old Saddle are connected by a route marked with a red cross from the main summit, by a beautiful path that crosses the spruce forest. The route is of easy difficulty, and from place to place we can admire the special view of the Făgăraș Mountains and the city Sibiu, and if we climb Vf. Batrâna we have beautiful views of the surrounding peaks.

Sinaia, Poiana Stănii

Sinaia-Poiana Stănii are connected by a route marked with blue tape. A short trail of easy difficulty. The route passes by the climbing rock Sfânta Ana, near which there is also a cave cell. In the clearing there is an extraordinary view towards Bucegi.

Trascău Mountains, Dâmbău Peak

The Trascău Mountains are a group of the Apuseni Mountains, and the highest peak is Dâmbău with 1,369 meters. The route starts from the Fenesasa settlement and is marked with a blue triangle. The route is of easy difficulty and the view from the top is spectacular.

Sapte Scari Canyon, Southern Carpathians

The 7 Stairs Canyon is a gorge carved in Jurassic limestone from the west of the Piatra Mare mountains, in Brașov. The gorge has seven steps with heights between 2 and 15 meters. Access to the Seven Stairs Canyon is from the town of Timişul de Jos, being marked with a yellow strip. The route is of easy difficulty and you will be able to admire a multitude of waterfalls that will impress you.

Trails of medium difficulty:

Gâlcescu Lake, Transalpina

Gâlcescu Lake rises right at the edge of the most beaten tourist path that crosses the mountain. It is declared a natural monument, and the surroundings constitute a nature reserve. The route is marked with a red stripe and a red triangle, depending on the starting point. For the red lane, the starting point is from the Transalpina (below Pasul Urdele) and takes about 5 hours. For the red triangle, the starting point is below Setea Mare Vf. The route is of medium difficulty, but everything is worth it once you reach the top, where there is a beautiful lake surrounded by mountain peaks.

Vârful Negoiu, Făgăraș Mountains

Vârful Negoiu is part of the Făgăraș Mountains and is the second highest in our country, with an altitude of 2,535 m. There are several routes that can be used to reach this peak, but the most traveled is the one that starts from Bâlea Lake , marked with blue band/red band. The route is of medium difficulty, and the captured landscapes are dreamy.

High difficulty trails:

Cindrel Mountains, Cindrel Peak

Cindrel Mountains are also known under the names: Cândrel Mountains, The Cibin Mountains or the Sibiu Mountains, and see Cindrel is at an altitude of 2244 m. Close to Sibiu, starting from Păltiniș, the route to Cindrel Peak is a very good solution for hiking, but it is only recommended for people with very good physical training, as it presents a high level of difficulty . The route is marked with a red band, and from the top you will be able to see the Lakes of Caldarea Iezerul Mare. A super view!

Rodna Mountains, Pasul Rotunda Trail

Pasul Rotunda is a pass from Oriental Carpathians and is located approx. 1300 m, being considered the most picturesque step in altitude. The route starts from Iacobeni and crosses the Rotunda Pass, then passes through Cârlibaba. It is considered a difficult route, marked with red tape, which requires experience. It can be done at a leisurely pace in 2-3 days of hiking, but it's worth it for all those overwhelming views the trail is blessed with.

Mountain hiking is the most beautiful way to spend your time when you visit Transylvania.

to visit the peaks of the mountains:

What is the most suitable footwear when we go on a hike?

On a hike it is very important to have footwear to protect our ankles. Boots are best suited for a mountain trail with many bumps because they are tall and have a thick sole.

How should we dress for a hike?

Clothes are a very important aspect when it comes to hiking. As the weather is changeable, you should have both thin clothes, for example a t-shirt in summer, and thick clothes, such as a high-collared sweatshirt and jacket to protect you from the rain and cold.

What should we have in our hiking equipment?

First of all, we must have a backpack with a medium capacity. This is enough for a one-day mountain trail. In the rucksack we will put all the accessories we need to cross the route.

During a hike, water is the first thing we have to think about. We always have to have enough water to get us through the entire hike. It is very important to hydrate properly, that is why it is recommended to have a bottle of at least 1L, which later we can even fill with water from the spring.

On the mountain, everything is more intense , that is why it is important to protect our head from the sun or the cold. For this reason, we must have a hat, a cap or a cap depending on the season.

Many times, at high altitudes, there is a chance to run out of signal. In this situation, we can use a map or a compass to orientate ourselves easily.

Sometimes, mountain trails can be dangerous and we can risk getting easily injured. Therefore, a first aid kit will be very useful in treating injuries.

How do we prevent encounters with wild animals?

When we are in the forest, respectively on the mountain, it is recommended to be in a larger group of people. That way there will be a lot of noise and there won't be the unpleasant situation of meeting a wild animal like a bear. If you are traveling alone, it is recommended to have a speaker with you to play music on, as the animals will not come close if there is noise, or alternatively, a whistle to blow from time to time.

In order to prevent an unpleasant meeting with the dogs in the fold, it is more recommended to avoid the flock of sheep as much as possible and to avoid contact with it. If you meet the dogs, you can call out to the shepherd and he will call them to him. In the situation where he is not around, it is good to have food with you that you can easily throw at the dogs to distract them.