Self-guided walking
9 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
19.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
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Via Transilvanica is a 1,400km trail across Romania, conceived by two brothers, Alin and Tibi Ușeriu. On this nine night holiday you'll cover the area of Terra Saxonum, the 'land of the Saxons', known for the rich historical and cultural legacy left by the Transylvanian Saxons, a people of German origin who settled in the Transylvania region of Romania during the 12th and 13th centuries.
Starting in Sibiu, a picturesque medieval city, discover a region famous for its distinctive fortified churches, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites, including those at Biertan and Viscri. These served as places of worship and shelter during invasions, particularly against the Ottoman Empire and often have a 'bacon tower,' a communal storage place where the entire community kept their winter provisions, symbolising the community's unity and trust.
Walks go through beautiful beech forests, magnificent meadows, rolling hills and lovely villages, with the trail marked with the anthracite kilometre markers of the Via Transilvanica. Two nights are included at Sighisoara, to allow plenty of time for visiting the historic town, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the legendary birthplace of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula). End the trail in Viscri, home to a UNESCO listed fortified church and where King Charles III bought his first property in Romania, now a dedicated training centre for traditional crafts and rural skills.
Accommodation is in a mix of hotels, guest houses and local houses, where you will be catered for with local, authentic food.
TERRAIN
You mostly follow country roads, tracks and paths through forest and meadows. There are some steeper ascents and descents as you reach and depart the villages.
Explore the medieval city, visiting the Great Square, Huet Square, the beautiful Passage of Steps which connects the upper town to the lower town, and the Bridge of Lies.
You stay at Konak Sibiu.
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Konak Sibiu is centrally located in Sibiu and offers rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and modern amenities. There is a restaurant, sun terrace, bar, and coffee shop.
A transfer (1hr15mins) takes you to Richis where you will start your journey along the Via Transilvanica. Head out of the village and along a track to come to the first of many milestones you'll encounter. Follow a ridge line through the woods and to a viewpoint looking over Biertan before descending to the UNESCO listed town.
You stay at Casa Eva Wagner.
Casa Eva Wagner is made up of three separate buidlings, the old house, barn and stable with all rooms individually decorated. There is a garden with hot tub (supplement payable locally).
Your walk today takes you first to Copsa Mare and the Biserica Fortificata, built originally in the gothic style but fortified in the 16th Century to fit the defensive requirements of the time. Next stop is Nou Sasec before reaching Malancrav, a remote village, once the property of the Apafi family. Many of the farmhouses here have been restored by the Mihai Eminescu Trust which was formally under the patronage of King Charles III when he was Prince of Wales.
You stay at Experience Transylvania House.
Experience Transylvania House , Malancrav
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Experience Transylvania House is a collection of traditional houses, all with private bathroom and often there is a garden. The houses are owned and managed by the Mihai Eminescu Trust (MET), a non-profit organisation for heritage conservation and the regeneration of villages in Transylvania. There are no restaurants but meals are provided by the locals.
Today starts with a transfer, choose to be taken to Cris, or a little further along the trail to Stejarenii to walk across meadows and through the Breite Nature Reserve with oak trees that are 400-600 years old before arriving in the colourful, fortified medieval town of Sighisoara.
You stay at Hotel Bulevard.
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Hotel Bulevard has a central location in Sighisoara near the medieval citadel. Rooms are rooms beautifully appointed and combine contemporary design with subtle historical accents.
Today is a free day to explore the cobbled streets of Sighisoara, birthplace of Vlad Dracula, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Count Dracula. Visit the citadel, built in the 12th century and further strengthened and extended in the 15th century. You can climb to the top of the Clock Tower and admire beautiful views over the Old Town and surrounding countryside. The citadel is surrounded by the remains of the defensive wall, including towers built and maintained by the different craft guilds, such as the Bootmakers' Tower, Blacksmith Tower and the Tailors' Tower.
Your route today takes you out of Sighisoara across pastures and up to and along a woodland ridge. Your destination is the almost deserted village of Sapartoc, your stay here is in one of the village houses.
You stay at Sapartoc Traditional Village.
Sapartoc Traditional Village, Sapartoc
Leave Sapartoc to continue to follow the trail towards your destination today, Saschiz. Along the way you'll pass through the village of Daia, the fortified church here is on the list of historical monuments, and despite its state of repair is still worth a visit. Continue to Saschiz, home to the locally produced blue pottery. You'll find local artisans workshops here for some of the other crafts of the area.
You stay at Castle View.
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Castle View is a restored Saxon house, located in the heart of the village of Saschiz. The rooms combine the austere and impressive air of Saxon houses. Each traditional Saxon room, garden, cellar and barn will reveal a unique archaic atmosphere, where you will be surrounded only by antique furniture, collectibles and elegant bathrooms.
Walk alongside and through meadows today, full of wildflowers and butterflies in the Spring. You'll reach the small settlement of Cloasterf, with a compact fortified church. In Crit, as in many of the other villages you have passed though, still maintains its traditional rural life.
You stay at Pensiunea Elena.
Pensiunea Elena, Crit
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Pensiunea Agroturistica Elena offers 6 tastefully furnished rooms, all with private bathroom. There is a large garden and sun terrace to relax .
Your final walk takes you out of the Terra Saxonum section of the Via Transilvanica and into the Terra Borza Tuetonica section to Viscri. The fortified church here is one of the highlights of the many you will have seen, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
These tour prices are per person, based on two people sharing.
Single supplement from AU$504.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Self-guided walking
9 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
19.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
