Holiday Hiking around the Countryside of Transylvania
|
Tour ID:
1044 Tour Theme: Active, Adventure and Wildlife Tours Regions: Transylvania Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights |
Introduction:
Hiking activites take place in the countryside surrounding Miklósvár, which offers the walker a diverse variety of landscapes, including open hillsides with wild flower meadows, rolling woodland pastures, deciduous and coniferous forests, dramatic gorges and mountains. We cater for the experienced hiker, as well as those wishing for gentle walks. Those with an interest in history, nature and earth sciences will find these hikes of interest. Hiking activities take place throughout the year, including the winter period. If snow cover is deep enough in some areas, cross country skiing is possible (we provide the necessary equipment, skis, boots and poles).
WHAT WE PROVIDE:
At the Kálnoky Guesthouses you will be provided with a hearty breakfast early in the morning and a dinner on your return in the evening. A dayâ™s hiking activity includes an information pack (information, maps), transportation to the drop-off point, a picnic lunch (with vegetarian options), and collection at a designated pick-up point. You will also be provided with a mobile phone to be used during emergencies. If you would like to be accompanied by a hiking/nature guide, this can also be arranged for selected hikes.
WHAT YOU ARE EXPECTED TO BRING WITH YOU:
Walking boots, a waterproof jacket (and trousers) and a rucksack are essential. Hikers might want to bring along their own compass (Transylvanian maps are provided in the hikerâ™s information pack), as well as a torch. Depending on the season, you should also consider packing some warm clothing. Information on the temperatures expected will be provided prior to your visit. Those with an interest in wildlife should bring along their binoculars, as well as nature guides to help with the identification of birds, plants, mushrooms, and animal tracks. Insect repellent is also useful.
Endless stunning countryside â¦a hikerâ™s paradise!!!
Day by Day Itinerary:
Hiking Levels:
Grade A â“ Easy
Grade B - Moderate
Grade C â“Strenuous
Grade D - Tough
Day 1:
ROUTING: MIKLOSVAR
- Private transfers are available from Tirgo Mures Airport, Brasov (Hotel or Train Station), and Bucharest, inquire for more details
- On arrival in Miklósvár you will be greeted by one of our team, who will provide you with information on the activities available during your stay. Before dinner in the cellar of the main house, you might want to take a stroll around the village.
- Overnight in Miklosvar
ACCOMMODATION: Count Kalnoky Guesthouse
D
Day 2:
ROUTING: MIKLOSVAR - Grade A (12 km)
- Breakfast
- Traditional horse-drawn cart will take you to your starting point in the Ajta Valley, which involves crossing the stream numerous times.
- You will also be able to visit a traditional charcoal burner, still typical to Transylvania.
- The hike along the ridge will take you through mature beech and hornbeam forests, medieval woodland pasture with oak and wild pear â“ good habitats for large mammals, reptiles and amphibians (including the fire salamander). You may meet Romanian shepherds with their flocks of sheep.
- Return to guesthouse at the end of the day
- Dinner
- Overnight in Miklosvar
ACCOMMODATION: Count Kalnoky Guesthouse
B, L, D
Day 3:
ROUTING: MIKLOSVAR - The GORGE - Grade B (7 km)
- Breakfast
- A land rover will drive you through pretty villages and forest roads to your starting point at the dramatic Vargyas Gorge.
- The hike over the top of the gorge will take you through beech forests, a stone meadow with Steppe vegetation, and wild flower meadows â“ good habitat for reptiles and insects (including the praying mantis).
- The gorge commands stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, such as the volcanic plateau of the Hargita Mountains. The ruins of an early medieval chapel called locally the Tartar's Chapel.
(*An alternative route can be taken if you wish to see the caves and bats. )
- Return to guesthouse at the end of the day
- Dinner
- Overnight in Miklosvar
ACCOMMODATION: Count Kalnoky Guesthouse
B, L, D
Day 4:
ROUTING: MIKLOSVAR - The KINGâ™S STONE - Grade D (or C) (20 km)
- Breakfast
- The starting point of the hike is Plaiul Foii at the foot of the Piatra Craiului Mountain, which is the most spectacular limestone massif of the Southern Carpathians in Transylvania.
- In order to reach the peak, you will have to climb steep and exposed rock faces. This hike, however, can be adapted to suit different levels of physical fitness as there are alternative hiking routes in this area.
- Towards the end of the hike, you will reach a Zarnesti Gorge, where you might spot the attractive wall creeper and alpine swifts.
- Return to guesthouse at the end of the day
- Dinner
- Overnight in Miklosvar
ACCOMMODATION: Count Kalnoky Guesthouse
B, L, D
Day 5:
ROUTING: MIKLOSVAR
- Breakfast
- This day can be spent relaxing in and around Miklósvár village or you can join one of our nature or culture tours, which may, for example, include visiting the fortified Saxon churches or a volcanic lake.
- Lunch and Dinner
- Overnight in Miklosvar
ACCOMMODATION: Count Kalnoky Guesthouse
B, L, D
Day 6:
ROUTING: MIKLOSVAR - RIKA - Grade C (22 km)
- Breakfast
- At the starting point of this hike you have the opportunity to visit the remains of Attila the Hunâ™s forest fortress, as well the as the burial site of his wife Rika. (There is no archeological evidence for these, it is supported by local Transylvanian legend).
- This hike will take you through extensive forests of beech, hornbeam and oak.
- Towards the end of your hike you will discover a basalt quarry, which is also designated as a geological site of special interest.
- Return to guesthouse at the end of the day
- Dinner
- Overnight in Miklosvar
ACCOMMODATION: Count Kalnoky Guesthouse
B, L, D
Day 7:
ROUTING: MIKLOSVAR - BLACK MOUNTAINS - Grade B (16 km)
- Breakfast
- You will start from an old iron furnace, which was used successfully to make canons used in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-49.
- This hike takes you along the southern Harghita Mountains, where you will have wonderful views of the CsÃk basin.
- The hike ends at a mineral water spa, Uzonka Fürdő.
- Return to guesthouse at the end of the day
- Dinner
- Overnight in Miklosvar
ACCOMMODATION: Count Kalnoky Guesthouse
B, L, D
Day 8:
ROUTING: MIKLOSVAR - FOSSIL - Grade C (22 km)
- Breakfast
- The starting point of this hike is Ürmös village, where you also have the opportunity to see a marl cliff with fossilised clams and ammonites.
- This hike takes you over wild flower meadows, woodland pastures, and forested hills. The views during this walk are spectacular. Miklósvár can be spotted on the other side of the Olt River.
- On the hillside you can find carpets of bleached white fossils exposed from erosion.
- Transfer to location desired; Tirgo Mures, Brasov, Bucharest...
B, L
End of tour services
NOTES: The guesthouse offers a wide range of cultural and nature tours each week, therefore you can design your Transylvanian holiday according to your interests and length of stay. During a two-week stay, for example, you will be able to participate in nearly all the tours on offer. Mountain bikes are available for the use of the guests. For those interested in hiking, we offer walking activities (for different levels of fitness), which can also be combined with culture/nature tours to suit your preferences.
Please note this due to circumstances beyond our control; the following itinerary may be subject to change. In particular, some of the nature activities may vary in accordance with the season, the weather and the opportunities available to observe wildlife. No sightings of wild animals, such as wolves and bears are guaranteed, and we cannot restrict their natural movements nor indeed would we wish to.
Prices, Dates & What's Included:
Prices available upon request...
The Tour Includes:
- 7 nights accommodation
- Full Board (B) Breakfast daily, except on the day of arrival (L) Lunch daily, except on the day of arrival, (D) Dinner daily, except on the day of departure (meals à la carte with wine)
- Tours and Activities described in the itinerary
- Entrance fees when with guide
- Local Taxes
Not Included:
- Airfare
- Transfers to accommodation (inquire for details)
- Gratuities
- Extra charges of hotel, eg. Laundry, telephone or fax charges, room service, etc..
- Insurance
For more details please fill out the Inquire/Book It form which you can access from the button below.
