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A fabulous trekking adventure to discover the most spectacular landscapes of Dracula's Transylvania. Garlic and wooden stakes optional!

  • Trek to ‘Castle Dracula’
  • Walk the land of mythical vampires
  • Breathtaking Carpathian mountain scenery
  • Diverse Piatra Craiului National Park

Transylvania, thankfully, still remains a destination for the discerning traveller and is yet to be touched by mass tourism. Amongst high, soaring peaks, wild swathes of forest, ancient fortresses, forbidding castles and timeless villages, the myths and legends, fantasies and facts of legendary Transylvania become entwined.

This is a land steeped in tradition, history and ancient rituals… a land inviting you to explore deeper into some of Europe’s last remaining and most spectacular wilderness areas, which is exactly what you will do! Discover the local culture and history on a series of intentionally varied walks in a place where you arrive as strangers and leave as friends.

Typical Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Fly to Bucharest & transfer to Bran

    Fly from the UK to Bucharest, where you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your accommodation in Bran.

  2. Day 2: To Curmatura & the Zarnesti Gorge

    After breakfast your guide will meet you for your first of many delightful walks in Transylvania, into Piatra Craiului National Park. Ascend to reach Cabana Curmatura, a remote mountain hut, and then enjoy a pleasant descent through forest and into Zarnesti Gorge.

    Walking distance: 12 km | Ascent: 600 m | Descent: 600 m

  3. Day 3: La Zaplaz circuit walk

    Visit the other wilder side of Piatra Craiului. Follow a gentle trail alongside a small stream to reach a clearing where there is an igloo style shelter. Now, higher and closer to the sheer stone walls looming above, you'll be able to fully appreciate why Piatra Craiului translates as 'The King’s Rock'. Reach an interesting rock formation known as La Zaplaz, traversing onwards to another forested spur, before descending sharply to the valley floor to your starting point.

    NB: Alternative options available.

    Walking distance: 11 km | Ascent: 1,100 m | Descent: 1,100 m

  4. Day 4: Rural walk to 'Castle Dracula' at Bran

    Ascending steadily, you will reach the charming small village of Magura, which stretches out along a broad ridge, with fine views of Piatra Craiului and the even higher Bucegi Mountains on the far horizon. You will then continue to ascend steadily from Magura, rising above a rocky limestone outcrop, before descending to Bran and visiting ‘Castle Dracula’.

    Walking distance: 16 km | Ascent: 770 m | Descent: 700 m

  5. Day 5: Walk to Caraiman Cross; cable car to Bucegi Mountain Plateau

    Drive over a mountain pass to the ski resort of Predeal, and then it is just a short distance down the Prahova valley to Busteni. A spectacular cable car ride whisks you high up into the Bucegi above the Prahova Valley, and an undulating, easy walk leads to the Caraiman Cross for impressive views, as the Bucegi plummet sharply below down to Busteni. Return to the cable car station to descend.

    Walking distance: 14 km | Ascent: 490 m | Descent: 520 m

  6. Day 6: Rasnov fortress & walk to Poiana Brasov

    Visit the Saxon town of Rasnov. Explore the fascinating fortress, which also provides excellent views of Piatra Craiului and the Bucegi Mountains, then walk through forests and clearings to the small resort of Poiana Brasov. Transfer back to Brasov by car.

    An option before departing Poiana Brasov would be to take the cable car to the summit of Postavaru for a fine, easily acquired summit panorama.

    NB: Alternative options available.

    Walking distance: 8 km | Ascent: 440 m | Descent: 250 m

  7. Day 7: Walk in the Ciucas Mountains

    Options of different levels/lengths of walking are available today. The Ciucas provides a very pleasant opportunity to enjoy tranquil valley walking, a challenging ascent, ridge walking or even some adventurous scrambling amongst the gorges. Fascinating limestone rock formations rise above the green valleys below, where you should always keep an eye out for wolf and bear tracks.

    Walking distance: 18 km | Ascent: 930 m | Descent: 920 m

  8. Day 8: Transfer to Bucharest & fly back to the UK

    After breakfast, there will be a timed group transfer to Bucharest airport for your flight back to the UK.

Price and Other Information

  • Duration and price excluding international flights: 8 days from £1,029 per person
  • Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 8 days from £1,259 per person
  • Single room supplement: From £180
  • Walking grade: Demanding
  • Guiding: Guided Group Private-Guided
  • Max alt: 2,505m
  • Group size: 4-12
  • When to go: View Dates & Prices
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  • Route map:
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  • What’s included
    • Pension x 7 nights
    • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 4 dinners
    • Experienced English-speaking guide
    • Airport transfers

Next Steps

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Guided Group Dates and Prices
Year Starts Ends Price From (Exc. Flights) Holiday Status Options
All prices are per person. All our guided group trips have the option to be taken as a private guided itinerary. * Available: this holiday is available to book. ** Guaranteed: this holiday is available to book and is guaranteed to run. *** Fully Booked: if your preferred holiday is full we may be able to offer you a private departure or tailor a holiday to suit your requirements, please contact us for more details.
2024 25 May 1 Jun £1,029 Available* Book or Enquire
2024 24 Aug 31 Aug £1,029 Available* Book or Enquire
2024 7 Sep 14 Sep £1,029 Guaranteed** Book or Enquire
2024 12 Oct 19 Oct £1,029 Available* Book or Enquire

If you can’t see the holiday or departure date that you are looking for please contact us. We may be in the process of finalising further departures and are often able to arrange a holiday for you according to your own requirements.