Compare Hiking the Longest and Highest Ridge of Romania – 7 Days In Transylvanian Alps by Alpine Adventure Romania vs East European Discovery Northbound - Romania, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus by Penguin Travel

Day 1

We depart from Bucharest at 6.00 in the morning and head, by car, towards Sibiu, passing by the beautiful Valley of river Olt (Alutus by its old Roman name). We will reach Sibiu by 11.00.

ur first worry is to make last minute preparation for the tour (shopping for food, for equipment, etc.). This being done, we can enjoy Sibiu, a former cultural capital of Europe back in 2007. Our objectives or choice are the Museum of Village – a must see for the old houses which were build en purpose for preservation, and the old town of Sibiu, a wonderful Saxon imprint.

Day 2

We get up early, have breakfast and by 9.00 the latest we board the car which will take us to Avrig and then to Poiana Neamtului cabin, from where our tour will start. After three heavy hours through the woods, we will reach Barcaciu cabin. Fagaras Mountains open up from here. We start to have glimpses of what beauties are in store for us.

After having a fast lunch at the cabin, we aim for our target of the day, the beautiful glacial lake of Avrig. After other three hours we finally are on the ridge trail, just by the side of the lake and under the impressive wall of Ciortea Peak.

We start unpacking because this will be the spot where we will camp for the night.         

Day 3

This is the first day on the ridge trail. And it will be a long and arduous one, prepare yourself for about ten hours, but it will take us through one of the most beautiful and rockiest sections of the route. We start as early as possible in the morning and head towards the first peak we will climb during the day – Scara (2308m).

Passing along two other peaks using a broad trail we reach the peak of Serbota. From here its starts maybe the most challenging ridge section of the Fagaras ranges. We will go along an exposed ridge called Custura Saratii, while making use of the permanent cables put into places for passing the most difficult passages.

We continue on a steep slope until we reach the second highest peak of Romania, Negoiu (2535m). At this point we should be breathless both because of the effort and of the view, the last one being simply spectacular in all directions.

We will descend by a spectacular chimney towards the second glacial lake that we will meet on the ridge trail. This is the lake of Caltun just below the peak with the same name and we are going to camp here.

Day 4

After the labor of the previous day, this is a shorter day, although just as satisfactory. We just keep the trail ridge on peak after peak and enjoy each one. Towards the end of the days’ journey, we will be just above the “most beautiful road in the world”, as it was described by the Top Gear TV show, and watch the small dots representing the cars as they try to keep on the road on its tight bends.

Climbing the Capra peak we can see our camping place, next to one of the most beautiful glacial lakes in Romania – lake Capra. We raise our tents by the lake and then, without backpack (what a relief it would be!) we descend to Balea lake and cabin to have a good hot meal fully deserved. Of course, this will mean climbing up again with full bellies.

Day 5

Passing the Transfagaras road the other day may be considered as a milestone. We are now in the Eastern section of the trail ridge which keeps impressing us, and we are aiming for the highest peak of Romania, Moldoveanu (2544m). But it will not be this day.

We have to go an exposed ridge section which, just to make us have second thoughts, is called “Three steps from death”. But, do not worry, we are not that close.

We will camp at Podragu cabin, where several beautiful lakes span the landscape.

Day 6

Now we really are going up the highest peak of Romania. The narrow ridge trail ridge will take us to the foot of the massive trapeze formed by the first and third highest peaks of Romania, Moldoveanu and Vistea. The climb to Vistea is strenuous but the ending is exhilarating. Here we stand, on the roof of Romania! If we would have a can a beer with us we would drink it for sure. Surely we worth it!

We head down to another glacial lake towards South, where we will raise the tents. It will be the last time and this will be probably the quietest place we will camp during the whole journey.

Day 7

Early morning we descend the beautiful “Bad Valley”. After three hours a car will pick us up on a unpaved road which goes for 40km. By afternoon we will be in the lovely city of Campulung.

The Fagaras journey is over, but what a Journey it was! We will miss for sure the ridges, the views, the camps and the evening discussions outside the tents.

We will accommodate in Campulung for the day. By the way, Campulung is one of the oldest capital cities of the medieval Romania and we will have time to see it.

In the evening we will celebrate.

Day 8

Early morning we head for Bucharest where we will be in three hours.

1 Bucharest-Sinaia-Brasov

Meeting our guide in the lobby of our hotel in Bucharest at 09.00 am and drive to Sinaia. We cross the Carpathians toward Sinaia where we visit the fabulous Peles Castle, an exquisite piece of architecture and one of the most spectacular castles in Europe, with its arm and armoury collection, unique for its richness and diversity. The Castle served as the summer residence of the Romanian Royal family. Continue to Brasov. Arrival at Brasov, formerly Kronstadt, founded by the Saxon colonists, as the South gate of Transylvania. Walking tour through the old town centre, including the Black Church – the biggest church between Istanbul and Vienna; the Council Square, the Hirscher House/16century, - the baroque style buildings from the Austro-Hungarian time and Ekaterina Gate of the Old Citadel. It is also worth mentioning one of the oldest Orthodox Churches in Transylvania, where you can admire the beautiful frescoes of the chapel. Hotel in Brasov.

2 Brasov-Bran-Lacu Rosu

Lunch in a local restaurant in Bran and visit to the famous medieval castle (the "Dracula's" Castle) built as a fortress for the citizens of Brasov in 1377, as a defence to the city. Prince Vlad used the Castle as a general headquarters during his incursions in Transylvania. In 1922, Queen Mary of Romania changed the castle into Royal residence, the best known castle in Romania. Stop at Prejmer for visit to the fortified church, also included in the UNESCO World Heritage.

3 Lacu Rosu-Voronet

We visit the jewels of Bucovina: Voronet also called “the Sistine Chapel of the East” Drive through the Moldavian villages, visiting Tarpesti – the home of the delightful “Neculai Popa” Museum, unique in the world, where colourful masks and folk costumes are displayed.

4 Voronet-Suceava-Iasi

Drive to Bucovina –the “upper land” with the unique painted monasteries, belonging to the UNESCO World Heritage. We include a visit to Sucevita monastery, the largest of the monasteries in the Bucovina region, with massive towers and stone walls protecting the inner buildings, which are decorated with portraits of historical legends and biblical scenes. Arrive Iasi, walking tour to Roznoveanu Palace, Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre, Saint Nicholas Church (built by Stephen the Great), Metropolitan Cathedral and Church of the Three Hierarchs.

5 Crossing Moldova border to Chisinau (Moldova)

Drive to the border with Moldova, and continue to Chisinau. If time permits you can enjoy a walking tour of the city's main sights including the Orthodox Cathedral of Christ's Nativity, Presidential Palace, Parliament building and the Holy Gates, which are known as Moldova's 'Arc de Triomphe'. Excursion and wine tasting at Milesti Mici - the largest wine "underground city" in Europe (length - 200 km), which is listed in Guinness World Records. It has more than 200 km of limestone tunnels, 55 km of which are used for storing wine. Overnight hotel in Chisinau.

6 Chisinau-Tiraspol (Transnistria)

Drive to Transnistrian “capital” – Tiraspol. Stop at Bender Fortress on the way. Continue to Tiraspol where you will have the opportunity to travel back in time to USSR. Transnistria is a thin strip of land wedged between Moldova and Ukraine. It is home to more than 500,000 people and has a parliamentary government, a standing army, and its own currency. It has all the trappings of an independent nation—but isn't. you won't find it on many maps, and not a single member of the United Nations recognizes its existence. You will start by visiting the Lenin monument and tanks left from the Second World War. The city seems to be a ghost of the Soviet past.

7 Tiraspol - Odessa (Ukraine)

Today we head Northeast to Odessa which is just 105 km away from Tiraspol. Odessa is a port city in Ukraine, which is the fifth largest in the country. It is situated on the Black Sea coast. Its population is 1 012 500 people. Officially the city was founded in 1794 as a Russian naval fortress. The name Odessa is borrowed from the Greco-Roman colony of Odessos in Thrace, at the request of Empress Catherine the Great. In the modern city you can see examples of Mediterranean architecture under the influence of French and Italian masters. The palace, owned by Lev Tolstoy's family, is one of the typical representatives of this school. Most buildings are built of white limestone, a deposit from which is close to the city. Charming examples of architecture are the Opera and Ballet Theater, the National Marine University, the Palace of Chess and the Archaeological Museum. If you come to Odessa, you should not miss the Seaside Boulevard, Suvorov Street, Tschichin Bridge, the French Boulevard and the Museum of Maritime History.

8 Odessa

Free time to explore the city. Optionall tour to Odessa Catacombs. Abandoned mines have been expanded by local smugglers and used by them as hiding places and warehouses. Today's so-called "catacombs" are a very popular tourist attraction.

9 Odessa - Kiev

Early departure from Odessa as we have a long day driving in front of us - 470 km to Kiev. Stop near the city of Pervomaysk, where we will visit the Strategic Missile Force Museum, which in the past was an actual nuclear weapon launch site. We will see the most powerful Cold War Soviet missile - the R-36M2 'governor' bomb, which was nicknamed 'Satan' by the Americans. Arrive Kiev in the evening.

10 Kiev

Free day or optional tour to Chernobyl. The large restricted area where the tragic event of the Chernobil nuclear disaster took place in 1986 is enigmatic and indeed one of a kind place to explorer. This excursion will give you a glipse towards abandoned city of Pripyat, where nature has already started conquering back what once used to be streets, hotels, schools etc. With your Geiger counter in hand, you'll have the chance see the new dome of the exploded nuclear reactor from only a few meters distance.

11 Kiev - Lviv

Sightseeing tour of Kiev in the morning before we continue to Lviv. Some of the most famous Kiev attractions include: the Kiev-Pecherska Lavra Monastery, the Monastery of St. Michael with his gold domes, the churches of St. Sofia and St. Andrew and many others. In addition, the National Opera, the Kiev Youth Theater, the Golden Gate, the Independence Square. In the early afternoon we take off to Lviv. The journey will take about 5 hours in comfortable train and we will arrive in Lviv in the evening for an overnight.

12 Lviv

We will start the day with a walking tour in the city of Lviv (Lemberg - German, Lwów - Polish) Lviv - the city known as the most beautiful in Ukraine. it's architectural layout is a collection of numerous styles and epochs. East of the modern part of the city is the Old Town. The points of interest are: Renox Square; the Ivan Franco National Theater - one of the masterpieces of world architecture; the Roman Catholic Cathedral - one of the most remarkable Gothic buildings dating back to the end of the 14th century; the Baroque Cathedral. Currently Lviv is a city buzzling with life and culture. Literally every cafe or restaurant is like a small interactive museum full of curiosities to discover.

13 Lviv - Minsk (Belarus)

Free time in Lviv in the morning, before we continue our journey to Minsk. Flight to Minsk.

14 Minsk. Nesvizh and Mir Castles

Short sightseeing tour of Minsk in the morning before we continue to Nesvizh and Mir Castles. First we visit the impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nesvizh Castle, which has been home to the Radswill Family for over 400 years. The fortresses construction began in 1584, but it's been extended and changed over the years and now features a mix of Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Classicism and Neo-Gothic architecture. The estate also contains the largest landscape gardens in Europe and a number of ornamental lakes. After some free time to have lunch and explore Nesvizh we drive on to the beautiful Mir Castle, which is also UNESCO-Listed. Creation of the fort began at the end of the 15th century and again a number of different architectural styles can be seen. The castle is one of the most splendid in Europe and was reopened to the public in 2010 after being extensively restored to its former glories. Back to Misk for overnight.

15 Departure