Gravel Bike in the Wilderness of Romania

Name: Gravel Bike in the Wilderness of Romania
Start: 2024-08-11T10:00:00+03:00
End: 2024-08-17T18:00:00+03:00
Location: Sighisoara, Romania

Schedule

Sun Aug 11 2024 at 10:00 am to Sat Aug 17 2024 at 06:00 pm

UTC+03:00

Location

Sighisoara, Romania | Bucharest, BU

With a network of forestry and unpaved roads, Romania is becoming a paradise for gravel cyclists. For the keen cyclists aiming to spend time in the wilderness, we prepared a bikepacking gravel tour crossing the deepest forest of Romania and historical and architectural treasures. The „back in time” ingredient is present every day, during the cycling trip, either in the accommodation places.
Our tour includes spectacular landscapes and rides through endless forests, as well as visits to local manufacturers and historical sites.
Detailed program:
DAY 1: Arrival and basecamp
Our first day is the “get together” day in the remote village of Cund. Depending on your arrival time and place, we will organize your transfer to the starting point.
For preparing our next day, we will accommodate a guesthouse with yard, so we can let part of the luggage during the journey.
Welcome dinner prepared by our friend and host – a wine&food passionate.
DAY 2: From Cund to Malancrav (51 km ride)
Part of the historical Saxon community, the village of Malancrav is currently turning into a touristic area trying to promote their main values: traditional crafts, local agriculture, and history. The locals offer workshops about their activities (weaving, basket braiding, woodwork, apple juice factory, etc); they are breading water buffalo – one of the attractions in the evening is the returning of water buffalo home; the local manor is not turned into a hotel; the Lutheran fortified church is included in the UNESCO World Heritage.
Overnight in Malancrav – in local guesthouse.
Meals: B, L, D
Cycling distance: 35 km gravel and 26 km asphalt road, low traffic
DAY 3: From Malancrav to Stejarisu (55 KM bike ride)
In the first part of the day we are traveling from Malancrav to Biertan (24 km) for visiting the most important fortified church in Transylvania. This church was the first UNESCO World Heritage site of Romania. We will stop her for visiting and for lunch.
Leaving Biertan, we will have 31 km to our destination, going through the Transylvanian wilderness. Only forest, sheepfolds, and rolling hills. The last 7 km will be on asphalt.
We end our day at the parish house of the old fortified church, now transformed into a warming guesthouse.
Overnight in the guesthouse near the fortified church.
Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner.
Cycling distance: 36 km on gravel roads and 19 km on asphalt road.
DAY 4: Cycling through „100 hills” and arriving in Viscri (79 km bike ride)
In the morning we are cycling for 16 km (10 km asphalt and 6 km gravel) for arriving in a curious hidden landscape, called „100 hills” due the uncommon hills in the nearby of the village. A small German community is now living and taking care about the local church, and they are happy to receive guest on bicycle.
Leaving the unique place, we are cycling another 35 km (25 km on gravel) for arriving in Cobor. The biggest conservation organization in Romania has built here an ecological farm, where we can stop for lunch.
After lunch, another 28 km cycling (5 km gravel) for arriving to our final destination – the village of Viscri. Viscri is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. It is the success story of a small village who managed to survive during the ‘90s and to develop into a touristic site. The main attraction is the fortified church, but most of the visitors are attracted by one of the houses, currently owned by Prince Charles of Wales. Despite it is a normal house, lot of visitors are arriving here only for this site. However, once you are in Viscri there are lot of other places to visit, as the locals are trying to promote the ancient activities, similar like in Malancrav. You can visit the local blacksmith, the old fashion bakery, the bricklayer and few of the local old houses transformed into guesthouses by the locals or by other small investors.
Overnight in Viscri, in a local house transformed into a warming guesthouse.
Dinner at the guesthouse.
Meals: B, L, D.
Cycling distance: ~79 km, out of which 37 km on gravel.
DAY 5: Viscri to Sighisoara - single trail route (55 km bike ride)
Another route through the wilderness of Romania. A 50 km single trail route is starting from Viscri and ends before Sighiosoara – another UNESCO World Heritage site. The last 5 km is on asphalt.
The old citadel of Sighisoara – a Saxon fortified burgh built in the 13th century – is placed on top of a hill, surrounded by forests. The „back in time” community is welcoming the guests with lot of surprises. The clock tower, the church on the hill, the „Vlad Dracu house”, the covered stairs, the main square, and other stories are just waiting to be discovered. We will be part of the story once we will finish the tour.
Overnight in a hotel placed in the citadel. Dinner on your own.
Meals: B, L.
Cycling distance: ~55 km, out of which 50 km on gravel.
DAY 6: Back to the starting point (52 km bike ride)
Today we will ride along „Via Transilvanica” – a longest hiking and cycling trail, with more than 1,400 km length, crossing Romania from North-East to South-West.
We will cross the centennial oaks reserve near Sighisoara and we will ride again through the Transylvanian wilderness
After 52 km (out of which 37 km on gravel), we will be back to the starting place – the beautiful village of Cund.
Picnic lunch on the way.
Overnight in Cund, same as in the first evening. Farewell dinner.
Meals: B, L, D.
DAY 7: Departure day
After breakfast it is time to say goodbye.
Optional – Transfer by car to Brasov or Bucharest.
Meals: B
INCLUDED
ACCOMMODATION
6 nights of accommodation in old, renovated guesthouses and 3* hotels
MEALS
One dinner on your own (Sighisoara). Full board for the rest of the journey. On our trip we are offering you the choice of sampling the local gastronomy.
SUPPORT
Detailed trip description and program, maps, GPS maps (on request)
The knowledge, support, and camaraderie of experienced guides (Romanian, English, French or German speaking possible)
Comprehensive trip literature and complimentary branded gifts
BICYCLES
Gravel or hybrid bicycles
Bike helmets
ACTIVITIES
Entrance fees for all group events/activities
Tickets to several cultural and historical sights included in the itinerary
Local Taxes
NOT INCLUDED
Airfare cost
Additional gear equipment (available on request)
Alcoholic and additional drinks or meals during the program
On select trips some meals are not included so you can explore the local cuisine at your leisure
Lodging before and after the trip
Extra charges for laundry, telephone, room service, etc.
Individual travel Insurance for the trip (compulsory in order to be accepted for the tour)
Individual insurance for special activities (recommended)
Optional activities not scheduled in the program
All the other conditions are presented in the “Terms and conditions” document
PRICE
1,460 EUR, bicycle included
Single supplement - 190 EUR
Registration form:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B6L2S7Z
For more details, please contact us:
[email protected]