A no-fluff guide for curious travellers who want to go beyond Bran Castle and truly experience the wild heart of Romania — from sky-high roads to hidden trails and local food.

You've seen the photos: Bran Castle's towers, the twisty Transfagarasan road, the icy blue mirror of Balea Lake. But here's the thing — those iconic stops are just the beginning.

Behind every famous sight in Romania’s Southern Carpathians lies something far better: village trails that cross wildflower meadows, local meals cooked on wood fires, and views you can only reach on foot.

And now, with four airports giving you fast, easy access, this journey through the wild Carpathian route has never been simpler.

This is your no-fluff guide to Romania’s real hiking heartland — a route that blends adventure, culture, and food in one unforgettable loop.

Beyond Bran – Hiking Villages & Cheese Trails
Most travellers stop at Bran Castle, snap a photo, buy a Dracula magnet, and leave. But if you keep going just a few kilometers uphill, you’ll enter a different world.

The villages of Pestera, Magura, and Fundata feel like they belong in a storybook — wooden gates, rolling meadows, and the echo of cowbells in the valley.

Top Hike: Pestera–Magura Loop
Distance: approximately 8 km
Time: 2.5–3 hours
Start point: Pestera Village Church
Trail features: forest paths, open hilltops, panoramic views of the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului ranges
Best time: morning or late afternoon
Level: easy to moderate

Along the way, you’ll meet sheepdogs, pass wooden barns, and might even be invited in for a taste of branza de burduf — strong, salty sheep cheese stored in pine bark.

Where to eat:

• Pensiunea Mosorel (Pestera) – farm-to-table meals, homemade bread
• Casa Pelinica (Magura) – try the bulz cu branza, a grilled polenta ball stuffed with cheese

Tip: Bring small change. Locals sometimes sell cheese, jam, and honey at the gate — no card machines here.      

Hike the Transfagarasan — Don’t Just Drive It

Transfagarasan is Romania’s most famous road — a high-altitude ribbon twisting through the Fagaras Mountains. But while most people rush to drive it, the real magic starts when you stop and hike.

At Balea Lake, you’ll find the perfect base for exploring this dramatic ridge. Even short trails here feel like walking through the Alps — minus the crowds.

Top Hike: Balea Lake to Capra Lake
Distance: approximately 5.5 km roundtrip
Time: 2 to 2.5 hours
Start point: behind Balea Lake Chalet
Elevation: around 2,040 meters — bring layers
Views: two glacial lakes, alpine flowers, rugged ridgelines

You’ll pass wild goats, rocky passes, and if the weather’s clear — see straight into the heart of the Carpathians.

If you’re more experienced, try the Balea Ridge Trail for four to five hours of dramatic panoramic walking.

Where to refuel:

• Cabana Balea Lac – serves hearty meals for hikers
  Recommended dishes: ciorba de burta, grilled pastrav, homemade papanasi

Tip: Arrive before 10 AM to beat the crowds and fog. Later in the day, clouds roll in and block the views.

Traditional Food Along the Trail — Eat Like a Local

In Romania’s mountains, hiking and eating go hand in hand. You don’t just stop to refuel — you stop to experience something deeply local.

On the roadside or tucked into the hills, you’ll find stane — traditional shepherd huts — where food is made with what the land gives. No menu, no rush. Just simple, smoky, satisfying meals served by warm people.

What to try:

• Bulz – polenta filled with strong sheep cheese, grilled over fire
• Fasole cu ciolan – slow-cooked beans with smoked pork
• Cascaval afumat – smoked cheese made at the hut
• Papanasi – Romanian doughnuts with sour cream and jam
• Tuica – homemade plum brandy, offered freely and proudly

You’ll eat outside, maybe on a log bench, with a dog at your feet and mist rolling down the mountains.

Tip: If you see smoke rising from a small wooden hut on a hilltop trail — follow it. That’s where the magic is.

Fewer Tourists, Bigger Views — Discover Transalpina

Above the villages, shepherds still move with the seasons. In place like Arefu, you’ll find

If Transfagarasan is Romania’s most famous road, Transalpina is its quiet, wild cousin.

Crossing the Parang Mountains from Novaci to Sebes, this road climbs to over 2,100 meters, passing through silent ridgelines, sheep pastures, and remote pine forests. Unlike Transfagarasan, there are fewer buses, fewer crowds — and more space to breathe.

What to see and do:

• Urdele Pass (2,145 meters) – the highest paved road point in Romania
• Ranca – a quiet mountain resort, great for overnight stays
• Iezerul Surianu Trail – hidden alpine lake, moderate 3-hour hike
• Obarsia Lotrului – crossroads of wilderness and local charm

This is the place to unplug. Stop your car, walk ten minutes off the road, and you’ll be alone with the wind and wildflowers.

Tip: Best visited June to October. Check road status — it's often snow-covered into late spring.

 It’s Easier Than You Think – 4 Airport Gateways to the Mountains

 Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a week, getting to Romania’s wild Carpathians is now faster, easier, and more flexible than ever.

Your entry points:

• Bucharest (OTP) – the largest airport, great for combining city and mountain
• Brasov (GHV) – new airport just 45 minutes from Bran and Rucar
• Sibiu (SBZ) – historic city near Transfagarasan and northern trails
• Craiova (CRA) – a quiet jump-off point for Transalpina and western hikes

What travellers love: smaller airports mean fast exits, no long queues, and car rental desks just steps away. Within 90 minutes, you’re out of arrivals and into a forest trail.

Want the Real Experience Without the Stress?

Planning the best hikes, routes, guesthouses, and food stops takes time. But we’ve already done it — for travellers like you.

At Hubert Holidays, we create:

• Custom hiking itineraries
• Guesthouse bookings with real local charm
• Private transfers to and from the trails
• Local tips and full support before and during your trip

Whether you want to hike alone or join a small group, we’ll make sure your Romania experience is authentic, peaceful, and unforgettable.

Let us plan your escape.

Contact us to get started.