Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival of guests to Sibiu. Depending on the time of arrival, we get on the way to the Apuseni Mountains or Western Carpathians. At dinner we discuss the itinerary of our hiking week and what awaits us in the Apuseni Mountains. Overnight stay and dinner in the Ursita guest house in the village of Bucium-Poieni.
Driving route of 130 km, approx. 2 to 3 hours of drive.
Day 2: The first hiking day leads us to the peak of Valcoi (1.280 m). After breakfast we start off with a walk through the village of Bucium. We reach the small wooden house of Nea Colda, in the middle of a field of flowers. After a short climb and lunch break on the Peak of Valcoi, we continue to the Valley of Lent Lillis and Negrileasa Valley. We leave the mountains in the late afternoon and return on a path to our guest house.
Hiking route of 13 km, start-height: 880 m alt., highest point: 1280 m alt., height difference: 400 m alt., easy hiking trail.
Day 3: Hiking to the basalt peak of the Western Carpathians, the Detunata Peak. After leaving the village of Bucium, we arrive at the house of Aunt Lenuta. There we take a short coffee break. Aunt Lenuta is always ready to receive hikers with fresh water and home cooked goodies from her pantry. Afterwards we go through flower meadows to the Detunata basalt peak (1.210 m). On our descend we stop at David Gheorghe. Although part of his estate has burned down in 2014, he takes a lot of trouble to serve tourists. He happily receives guests with a drink as refreshment. From there it goes downwards to the valley and back to Bucium. Maybe we are lucky and are taken by a carriage.
Hiking trail of 11 km, start-height: 880 m alt., highest point: 1.210 m alt., height difference: 330 m alt., easy to medium difficult hiking trail.
Day 4: On this day we leave the village of Bucium and the Apuseni Mountains. But before heading to the Cindrel Mountains, we visit Rosia Montana. Here, the Romans mined gold in the 2nd century A.D. Here we visit the still well preserved roman gold mines and stop for a bite at locals as guests. In order for the road ahead not to be long, on the way we visit the city of Alba Iulia. King Ferdinand I and Queen Maria, the first royal family of Romania, after the great union from 1914, were crowned here. Our goal is to reach the village of Rasinari in “Marginimea Sibiului”. During a substantial dinner and a glass of Romanian Schnapps called Tuica, in our Badiu Guest House, we discuss our hiking week. Mr. Badiu spoils his guests especially culinary, but also with his hospitality. Overnight stay in the Guest House: www.pensiunea-badiu.ro.
Driving route of 130 km, approx. 2 to 3 hours of drive.
Day 5: This day begins with an easy hike from Rasinari through the Roma village of Prislop, up to the Rosegarden, 1.000 m above sea level. From here everyone is free to decide whether he wants to climb up the Peak of Magura Cisnadiei, situated at 1.304 m above sea level. However, the landscape of the peak offers a great view on the Sadu Valley and on the Transylvanian highland. The descent takes us through the Silvercreek Valley to Cisnadioara. Here we can find another fortified church from the 13th century. Then we return to Rasinari by carriage. Mr. Patru and his horse Soimu bring us back to our guest house.
Hiking trail of 18 km, start-height: 500 m alt., highest point: 1.304 m alt. (Magura Peak) or 1.050 m alt. (Rosegarden), height difference: 600 m alt. or 800 m alt., easy to medium difficult hiking trail.
Day 6: After breakfast we visit the highest climatic spa of Romania, Paltinis. After a 25 km long drive, our next hike begins. We start at approximately 1.400 m altitude and comfortably reach on a pleasant forest road the Oncesti Peak, at 1.713 m altitude. From here it goes on through a dense forest on an excellent hiking trail and we reach 1800m altitude. Crossing an alpine hayfield we reach the Surdu Peak at 1.970m altitude. The relatively easy return path leads us back to our starting point, Paltinis. Relaxation awaits us in the garden of Mr. Badiu.
Hiking trail of 16 km, start-height: 1.400 m alt., highest point: Surdu Peak 1.970 m alt., height difference: 570 m alt., easy to medium difficult hiking trail.
Day 7: Our last day of travel leads us to Sibiu. We go on a city tour in the European Capital of Culture of the year 2007. You will learn about the interesting history of the city and experience its attractions. At the end of our trip, guests configure their afternoon to their hearts’ content. Farewell from the hiking guide and the group at dinner, overnight stay in Ibis Hotel: www.pensiunea-badiu.ro or Continental Forum (www.continentalhotels.ro).
Day 8: Departure of guests. Depending on the departure times, free time at the guests’ disposal and stroll through the city.
