Via Transilvanica

Some call the route Romania's El Camino. Some consider it a personal spiritual journey. Others see it as a physical challenge. The Via Transilvanica route calls for any explorer - hiker, cyclist, horse rider, or long-distance runner, experienced or beginner. Solo travelers, families with kids, or those forever in search of the toughest challenges - are all welcome on Via Tranilvanica.

The full route can take about 2-3 months, days off for resting and sightseeing included. Most of the legs can be covered in any season, with the appropriate equipment. Yet, to fully enjoy the beauty of nature (certain flower species for instance) you might want to be picky about the period. Don't hesitate to also use the route's official guide; all the given information has been tested by the core team.

The Bucovina leg on Via Transilvanica route is the most popular, for several reasons. The starting point of the route, Putna Monastery, is a landmark for Romanian spirituality, but also for religious pilgrimages. This leg takes you through a hotspot in local tourism, which attracts thousands of tourists annually, regardless of the period.

Bucovina is not only rich in fairytale landscapes but also strongly attached to traditional customs. Here, you can find folk craftsmen, admire the locals in their daily activities or hear dialects different from the Romanian one, given the proximity to Ukraine.

In the Highland segment, Via Transilvanica passes through Bistrița-Năsăud and Mureș counties. Germanic influences are already noticeable in the rural landscape, and nature descends slightly from the mountains to fertile hills rich with vineyards and orchards. In this less touristy area, you will notice the long and quiet villages, the kind people, the mansions of the Hungarian counts, and the nature reserves.

If you haven't traveled through the Szeklerland yet, the Terra Siculorum leg walks you through the must-see places here, so you don't miss anything the region has to offer: hilly nature, a culture rich in folklore elements, and delicious gastronomy.

You will learn what Hungarian hospitality means, and pass through lots of quaint Hungarian villages, with particular architectural features. Salt continues to be a very valuable resource in the land, not for commercial, but for tourism purposes.

The Terra Saxonum leg needs little introduction, since its covers a region invariably present in any tourist guide. Set in an unmistakable natural setting, the land of the Transylvanian fortified churches is a mixture of cultures and ethnicities, with a rich, but also tumultuous history, full of legends and stories.

The Via Transilvanica route passes here through the counties of Mureș and Sibiu, crossing the tourist micro-region Valea Târnavelor. Unlike the previous legs, here you will enjoy a richer tourist infrastructure, which includes many opportunities for outdoor activities that you can combine. The locals are famous for opening their doors to just about anyone.

The Terra Dacica segment has a major historical and cultural importance for Romanians. The nucleus of Dacian fortresses is located on this territory, while Alba Iulia is the so-called ”coronation city”.

Unlike on the other legs, here you will notice at least two golf clubs. Romania made no notable history in this sport, yet you could find many golf amateurs in the interbellum years. Here you'll come across the first golf course opened in Romania.

The route then takes you deeper into the heart of the Cioclovina Natural Park and barely touches the edge of the UNESCO Geopark Țara Hațegului. It is up to you to step off the official route for a bit, to explore other wonders of one of the wealthiest regions in Romania, in terms of natural and historical wonders.

With Terra Banatica leg, Via Transilvanica passes through the enchanting mountainous Banat micro-region, a paradise for adventure tourism. One of the highlights of the segment is the plateau nearby Gărâna, where the acclaimed international jazz festival is being organized for over 20 years.

If you fully cover this leg, either on foot or by bike, you get the unique opportunity to cross, from north to south, the entire Semenic - Caraș Gorges National Park. Along the way lie a couple of enchanting natural attractions: caves, gorges, and even the Izvoarele Nerei protected area, part of the UNESCO Heritage. So expect heart-stopping natural landscapes along the way.

The last leg of Via Transilvanica is unique due to the natural landscape influenced by the Mediterranean climate of the area, but also due to the challenges encountered. The horned viper is one of the main enemies for hikers, so watch out where you set foot! Accommodation options are limited here, but solutions can be found.

On your way, you pass through the legendary land of Cloșani, rich in stories about treasures (still) hidden in inaccessible caves, but also through the now-famous isolated settlements above the Cerna Valley, that you can only reach after climbing a wooden stairs.