Romania Road Cycling – pedalnorth https://pedalnorth.com The best independent cycling website Mon, 05 Jan 2026 20:53:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://pedalnorth.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cropped-Pedal-North-600-pixel-32x32.jpg Romania Road Cycling – pedalnorth https://pedalnorth.com 32 32 Poplaca and Villages Ride from Sibiu https://pedalnorth.com/poplaca-and-villages-ride-from-sibiu/ Fri, 14 Oct 2022 20:21:13 +0000 https://pedalnorth.com/?p=30024

Poplaca & Villages

A spin out to the Transylvania countryside from Sibiu

This short ride is reasonably flat, with a few easy climbs, aand takes you out into the beautiful countryside and villages of Transylvania, close to historic Sibiu. It’s a superb ride for an afternoon or evening, if you’re visiting the city and looking for a picturesque two-wheeled adventure.

Route Information

Stats  42 km  311 metres

Refreshments & Where to Stay

Sibiu is a city used to catering for tourists from all over the world. It has a wealth of accommodation options, and superb places to eat. Piata Mare is a good starting point for visitors. Click the Booking.com link on this page, to see  our own options for you 🙂

Character

Rolling hills and easy riding, with wonderful views, this is a ride to be enjoyed, as you relax and take in beautiful Romania.

Route

1. The route which I really like to do, begins from Piata Mica in Sibiu, then it heads towards Poplaca on the Calea Poplacii.

2. Continue to Gura Riului through a very beautiful open road, with cultivated fields and hills and mountains in the backround. The views of farmland and villages in the rolling valleys are amazing.

3. From Gura Riului take the road signed to Orlat, then on to the villages of Sibiel, Saliste and then back to Sibiu via the E81 international European road.

Time then for coffee and cake in Piata Mare 😉

Click below  for  GPX file 

Download GPX


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]]> Paltinu Lake Ride Romania https://pedalnorth.com/paltinu-lake-ride-romania/ Thu, 21 Jul 2022 19:35:52 +0000 https://pedalnorth.com/?p=28407

Paltinu  Lake – Romania

So, today I choose to write about me and my RedChilli exploring riding at the Paltinu Lake known as the “less known pearl of the Carpathians”.

This Turquoise colored lake is situated in Doftana Valley in which the river Doftana flows in until the Prahova river. It is a wonderful part of Romania, and very little known, almost secret and hidden to the Romanians. Probably locals from the Prahova county enjoy it more than travelers from across the country. It is located very close to the popular mountain resorts of Sinaia, Predeal and the rest, yet it is not as crowded, and to a certain point, it is even more rural.

Riding my Red Chilli trough Doftana Valley was a pleasure. The road I both encountered by twists and turns, uphills and downhill followed by flats too. On the serpentine road up to the 108 metre Paltinu dam, you will reach the lake, just before entering the Valea Doftanei village.

While cycling on the road, you can stop and drink from the natural springs which you can find on the side of the roads.

Route Information

Stats  31 km  386 metres

Refreshments & Where to Stay

There are ample places to choose from at nearby towns and around the lake itself.

Character

A beautiful rolling ride, on excellent roads. It has long descents, and of course… long climbs – thankfully quite comfortable.

Route

  1. Starting at Tesila near Brasov, head along the valley towards the lake, taking the DJ1021 road.
  2. Rolling gently for the first 7 km, the route then descends along the majestic lake, to the 15.5 km point where we turned around, after taking in the beautiful views. It’s up to you how far to ride and where and hen to  turn around.
  3. Simply reverse the route and climb back up to the car and head into Brasov for a different kind of adventure in the evening 😉

Click below  for  GPX file 

Download GPX


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]]> Transfargarasan Challenge and Sibiu Cycling Tour Stage https://pedalnorth.com/transfargarasan-challenge-and-sibiu-cycling-tour-stage/ Tue, 05 Jul 2022 07:28:52 +0000 https://pedalnorth.com/?p=28082 #top .av-special-heading.av-l57ta3fn-29a3d571248ec0a8f7f074fc0622736d{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-l57ta3fn-29a3d571248ec0a8f7f074fc0622736d .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-l57ta3fn-29a3d571248ec0a8f7f074fc0622736d .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; }

Transfargarasan Challenge & Sibiu Cycling Tour Stage 2

by Callum Robinson & Robert Thorpe

Transfargarasan Challenge

Two things happened yesterday near Sibiu, cycling wise. First of all, the Transfagarasan Challenge took place, with over 500 lucky riders making their way to the top of this iconic road at varying paces. The leaders of this new event beat the challenge in just over an hour or so, with others coming in for some time.

Voom rider and new Pedalnorth sports physio blogger, Christie Byrne came in an amazing second place, with whoops from the rest of the Voom team as she stood on the podium. It really was an epic event, with high temperatures testing the resolve of the cyclists. Beau finished very close to the winner too, and looked in great form powered by Voom hydration and Pocket Rockets.

Robert, had set his own goal of simply pedalling none stop to the top, and with his bottles filled with Voom Hydration and with good ride nutrition management of the Voom Electro Energy Pocket Rocket, he finished within 3 hours and says he’s still not aching too much! Sounds like the electro energy and hydration did its trick on our very own mamil!

Sibiu Cycling Tour Stage 2

Once the riders from the Transfagarasan Challenge were all safely home, it was time to watch the pro riders, who’d already tackled long miles and rain before reaching the lower forest roads of the climb. The peloton stayed together reasonably well until they reached the plateau area, where riders started to make their moves.

This image courtesy Transfargarasan Challenge

As they fought their way through the multitude of snaking bends it was Bora Hansgrohe and Giovanni Aleotti who took the honours in the epic sprint around the final climbing bend, just holding off Harm Vanhoucke from Lotto Soudal.

The final days racing sees a mountain time trial, followed by a stage which concludes in Piata Mare, in the heart of historic Sibiu. We can’t wait 🙂

Find your own Transfargarasan Challenge

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]]> Romania 5 Top Cycling Climbs https://pedalnorth.com/romania-5-top-cycling-climbs/ Sun, 07 Jun 2020 11:09:10 +0000 https://pedalnorth.com/?page_id=15355 .flex_column.av-4dys7sr-6e65305a72c0600e2ca11a6d2a7cc706{ border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px; }

Romania Top Cycling Climbs

Cyclists all over the world travel to ride great climbs. Each summer, the French Alps, the Italian Passes, the Spanish Pyrenees and places such as Majorca are filled to bursting with dreamers. It can often be like cycling around Trafalgar Square in London – not quite the escapism that you imagined. Time then to look elsewhere, and Transylvania has everything that any person, let alone any cyclist could dream of.

There are places in the world that are not only still relatively undiscovered, but that also have road cycling climbs that rank alongside any cycling climbs in the world – welcome to Romania cycling, or to be precise – it’s time to be transfixed by Transylvania! With roads such as the Transgarafasan Highway, weaving its way through the wild and beautiful Carpathian Mountains, and with a depth of  history such as the World Heritage status medieval city of Sibiu on its doorstep, there are so many reasons to take a cycle tour in Transylvania. We thought that we’d give you 5 specific reasons, by listing the 5 classic road cycling routes in Romania – 5 epic Transylvania road cycling climbs that will test the very best and which will live in your cycling memory forever.

Let’s start with the best first: the ribbon of road that is the majestic Transgarafasan Highway, near to the city of Sibiu. It’s a home to our editors, Alex and Teo, who live a life within the wild and majestic beauty of the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania. 

We’ve listed the top 5 routes below. All that you need to do is to click each one open, read about it, and then plan your Transylvania bikecation holiday and ride it!

Transgarafasan Highway

This spectacular ribbon of road was built between 1970 and 1974, and has some of the most historic tourist attractions in Romania nearby. The fortress of Poienari at 1480 metres was built in the 13-14th centuries, extended later by Vlad the Impaler, also known as Dracula. Next is the famous Vidraru Dam, one of the largest dams in the world and in several movies. The glacial lake of Balea, freezes in the cold season, when a church and a hotel made of ice are built each year.

The road itself is approximately 90km long and it’s a great attraction for tourists, due to it’s breathtaking landscapes, being totally sublime and spectacular for visiting. The route is very special, due to the mountainous scenery encountered, and with so many dangerous curves that twist and turn and challenge you, high level differences, cliffs and gullies as well as steep waterfalls everywhere. The road climbs to an altitude of 2,042 metres (6,699 ft), making it the second highest mountain pass in Romania after the Transalpina.

You can ride out from the centre of Sibiu, taking in the road and the lakes and forests, makes a great ride of over 140 km, very challenging for a real two day adventure, as part of a Romania Bikecation. However, an easier alternative, if that’s the right phrase, is to ride from the monastic village of Cartisoara, maybe riding out to here from Sibiu the day before your climb.

The Transgarafasan is a winding road, dotted with steep hairpin turns, long S-curves and sharp descents. The road is usually closed from late October until late June because of snow. Depending on the weather, it may remain open until as late as November, or may close even in the summer. However, whenever you visit it, the scenery will always be beautiful – it’s my spectacular home, my Romania, so visit soon.

Anyway, if you follow the link here, you can see the map, route description and access the GPX file; although it’s not difficult to stay on course – just keep cycling upwards until you reach the beautiful Balea Lake, stop for coffee and cake and then descend with the wind rushing by as you twist and turn on the winding ribbon of tarmac.

Click here for full route details and map

The Transalpina or DN67C located in the Parâng Mountains group, in the Southern Carpathians of Romania, is one of the highest roads of the Carpathian Mountains. It connects Novaci, south of Parâng Mountains, to Sebeş in the north. Close to historic Sibiu, so easily accessible as part of a Transylvania cycling holiday. It’s a Short ride in terms of kilometres covered, but as the gradient shows, there’s no easy way up this ribbon of Transylvania tarmac.

Yes, the Transalpina is a tough and unrelenting road cycling climb, but with amazing views over the mountains of Romania. By basing yourself in nearby historic Sibiu, which is also one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Europe, you can make this a bike trip to remember.

Click here for full route details and map

One of the finest road cycling climbs in Transylvania, to the highest resort in Romania, Paltinis is a favourite area for our own Larisa 🙂

Sibiu is one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Europe and is surrounded by the high mountains of Transylvania. This route takes you to Paltinis, the highest resort in Romania and a regular climb on the annual Sibiu Cycling Tour. It’s a relentless climb of 69km up and down, but thankfully has amazing scenery to accompany you along the way.

As we’ve indicated, Sibiu is an amazing place, with an international airport and lots of accommodation choices at all prices. There’s a wealth of great coffee shops and restaurants to eat at too, and lots to explore on foot. The historic centre has superb hotels and AirBNB choices to suit all budgets.

Making Sibiu your cycle tour base will allow you you to chill out as you enjoy the ambience and flavour or Transylvania. In terms of the climb character: this is a tough and long climb, but with amazing views of the mountains all around you. The climb twists and turns to Paltinis, with some sharp switchbacks to be careful of on the descent. Staying in historic Sibiu also allows you the freedom to enjoy the history and scenery more on foot, relaxing in this unique area of a Europe – transfixing Transylvania, the home for our own editor, Larisa Chinces, who is waiting to share her favourite roads with you.

Click here for full route details and map

Most of us will know of the legend of Vlad the Impaler and Bran Castle in Transylvania. However, the real medieval story is just as fascinating.This classic Transylvanian cycle route takes you across this mountain pass, with epic views as the road snakes and twists through the trees. Bran is the medieval home of Vlad the Impaler, and the imposing castle is well worth a visit after the route has been tackled. The road climbs steeply, with forests and meadows on either side, before descending on tight and twisting hairpins to Rucar.

After a brief stop for coffee, reverse the climb and finish at Bran for history and cake. The route itself is simple to follow, and is a testing 70.55 km. However, the history and the amazing mountain views are simply  breathtaking.

As a base, nearby Brasov has all that you need for your stay, and you can fly in to Sibiu and it’s international airport. There are lots of accommodation choices at all prices. There’s also a wealth of great coffee shops and restaurants to eat at too, and lots to explore on foot. The historic centre has superb hotels and AirBNB choices to suit all budgets. Bran itself is a good mountain town, with cafes and accommodation choices. Take in a few more classic Romanian road cycling climbs while you’re here too.

The Rucar-Bran Pass is in our book, easily one of the 5 top road cycling climbs in Romania, taking riders through the beautiful Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania and should be on any serious cyclists bikecation vacation list.

Click here for full route details and map

Heading out from historic Peles Castle near Brasov, this short road cycling route in Transylvania is a real classic. It takes the road up to the mountain plateau above Sinaia and Busteni, and is a cul de sac road, meaning that the only purpose is to simply climb the road for the views and experience – which is definitely reason enough. Busteni and Sinaia are both good mountain sports resorts in Transylvania. This short but classic road cycling route will test the best riders, being one of the top road cycling climbs in Romania.

Start the climb from historic Peles Castle, onto the road, and then keep going up until you reach the plateau and the mountain cabin. Peles Castle has often been used in Christmas films and so will be strangely recognisable to many people.

This is a short but steep and testing route, at 57.4km and 1,539 metres of ascent. Nearby Brasov has all that you need for your stay, and you can fly in to Sibiu and it’s international airport. There are lots of accommodation choices at all prices. There’s also a wealth of great coffee shops and restaurants to eat at too, and lots to explore on foot. The historic centre has superb hotels and AirBNB choices to suit all budgets. Busteni itself is a good mountain resort, with cafes and accommodation choices. Take in a few more classic Romanian road cycling climbs while you’re here too.

Many cycling fans will be aware of the snow lined roads of the French and Italian Alps, and yet here in Transylvania and Romania, roads such as the Trangarafasan Highway are snow filled into May and June, as you can see from the early summer image of Larisa riding it just a few days ago. Transylvania offers an epic challenge for all serious cyclists and best of all, it comes  with a wealth of history too.

Cycling holidays don’t have to mean the bike filled roads of Majorca or the expensive centres of the Alps. You can find lots of amazing road cycling climbs in transfixing Transylvania, Romania. Best of all, the area is filled with some of the best preserved medieval centres in Europe, with places such as Sibiu and Brasov nestling beneath the Carpathian Mountains.

With international flights into Sibiu and so many amazing places to stay, it’s time for you to take a look at Romania and to tackle these 5 awesome road cycling routes. If you’re looking for a new cycling challenge, look no further than Romania – or Transylvania to be precise – and cycle the home roads of our editors, Alex and Teo, amidst the unspoilt beauty of the Carpathians.

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]]> Rucar Bran Pass Cycling Route https://pedalnorth.com/rucar-bran-pass-cycling-route/ Fri, 01 May 2020 20:12:06 +0000 https://pedalnorth.com/?page_id=15117 #top .av-special-heading.av-220i5p-18f4050063611d9cf365ce95e86ab7d2{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-220i5p-18f4050063611d9cf365ce95e86ab7d2 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-220i5p-18f4050063611d9cf365ce95e86ab7d2 .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; }

Rucar Bran Pass Cycling Route

  • Rucar-Bran Pass

    A Transylvania cycling classic, this beautiful Romanian ride takes in the transfixing Carpathian Mountains

Most of us will know of the legend of Vlad the Impaler and Bran Castle in Transylvania. However, the real medieval story is just as fascinating.This classic Transylvanian cycle route takes you across this mounatin pass, with epic views as the road snakes and twists through the trees.

Route Information

Bran is the medieval home of Vlad the Impaler, and the imposing castle is well worth a visit after the route has been tackled. The road climbs steeply, with forests and meadows on either side, before descending on tight and twisting hairpins to Rucar. After a brief stop for coffee, reverse the climb and finish at Bran for history and cake.

Stats: 70.55km and 1,486 metres of ascent

Refreshments & Where to Stay

Nearby Brasov has all that you need for your stay, and you can fly in to  Sibiu and it’s international airport. There are lots of accommodation choices at all prices. There’s also a wealth of great coffee shops and restaurants to eat at too, and lots to explore on foot. The historic centre has superb hotels and AirBNB choices to suit all budgets. Bran itself is a good mountain town, with cafes and accommodation choices. Take in a few more classic Romanian road cycling climbs while you’re here too.

Bran Castle

Rucar in Transylvania

Character

The Rucar-Bran Pass is one of the 5 top road cycling climbs in Romania, taking riders through the beautiful Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania. The route starts at Bran Castle, home of the legendary Vlad the Impaler of Dracula fame, and climbs to a high point overlooking Rucar, descending on tight and technical hairpin switchbacks. Care should be taken on the descents.

Route

1. There’s not a whole lot of route descriptions required here. In effect, head out of Bran on the DN73 road towards Rucăr. Climbing begins gradually, but steep ends after about 3km.

2. The high point is reached at approximately 16.5km, when the road then sweeps down through hairpin bends towards Rucăr.

3. At Rucăr take a coffee before returning over the classic climb, back to Bran and some Transylvania history.

This is a route into the high mountains, so take the right kit for your bike and for you, including a weatherproof jacket for changes in temperature. The road is busy at weekends, so take care with other road users and cars.

Click below for GPX file 


Brasov to Rasnov


Route Cue Card

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]]> Trans Bucegi Highway Cycling Route https://pedalnorth.com/trans-bucegi-highway-cycling-route/ Fri, 01 May 2020 15:21:25 +0000 https://pedalnorth.com/?page_id=15081 #top .av-special-heading.av-q1lr3d-f37c8018687bdf29f7ef7e390dc791bb{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-q1lr3d-f37c8018687bdf29f7ef7e390dc791bb .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-q1lr3d-f37c8018687bdf29f7ef7e390dc791bb .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; }

Trans Bucegi Highway Cycling Route

Heading out from historic Peles Castle near Brasov, this short road cycling route in Transylvania is a real classic. It takes the road up to the mountain plateau above Sinaia and Busteni, and is a cul de sac road, meaning that the only purpose is to simply climb the road for the views and experience – which is definitely reason enough.

Route Information

Busteni and Sinaia are both good mountain sports resorts in Transylvania. This short but classic road cycling route will test the best riders, being one of the top road cycling climbs in Romania. Climb from historic Peles Castle, onto the road, and then keep going up until you reach the plateau and the mountain cabin.

Stats: 57.4km and 1,539 metres of ascent

Refreshments & Where to Stay

Nearby Brasov has all that you need for your stay, and you can fly in to  Sibiu and it’s international airport. There are lots of accommodation choices at all prices. There’s also a wealth of great coffee shops and restaurants to eat at too, and lots to explore on foot. The historic centre has superb hotels and AirBNB choices to suit all budgets. Busteni itself is a good mountain resort, with cafes and accommodation choices. Take in a few more classic Romanian road cycling climbs while you’re here too.

Photo by Majkl Velner on Unsplash

Peles Castle

Peles Castle, Transylvania – photo by Majkl Velner on Unsplash

Character

The Bucegi Highway is one of the top 5 road cycling climbs in Romania, being the third highest road climb. Transylyvania is a road cycling climbers heaven, and this classic route will test the very best riders. Climb up, have a coffee and cake, then descend back to Peles Castle.

Route

1. From Peles Castle, ride down to the main highway and turn right. Warm up the legs and after 4.4km turn right onto Strada Badea Cartan, then right at the end of this road onto the DN71 and head upwards on Calea Moroiena, leaving behind the houses and apartment blocks for trees and mountain views.

2. At 7.8km cross the bridge at the Valea Dorului and continue upwards on the sharp hairpin bends. You know that this is now a mountain road, as the switchbacks come one after the other.

3. At 11.4km, a junction in the trees to the right with numerous signs (including one to ‘Hotel Peskra’) leads to the Trans Bucegi Highway itself. Turn right into this narrow hidden road (DJ713) and get ready for some epic climbing on good tarmac. At 12.7km you pass by a hotel complex and keep climbing in the majestic forest.

4. A  sharp hairpin bend at 16.8km is a point where the forest starts to give way to the open mountains. At 19.6km a large religious cross can be seen on the side of the road. Shortly after this, take the road as it goes off right (Drumul Babelor) towards Piatra Arsa Cabin at 28.7km, when the tarmac and climbing finally stop.

5. Roll down the gravel road to the cabin for coffee and cake, enjoy the magnificent views of the Bucegi Mountains and then reverse the route, making the most of the 24km+ descending, taking care on the sharp hairpin bends.

This is a route into the high mountains, so take the right kit for your bike and for you, including a weatherproof jacket for changes in temperature. The road is busy at weekends, so take care with other road users and cars.

Click below for GPX file


Brasov to Rasnov


Route Cue Card

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]]> Brasov to Rasnov Cycle Route https://pedalnorth.com/brasov-to-rasnov-cycle-route/ Wed, 29 Apr 2020 14:32:18 +0000 https://pedalnorth.com/?page_id=14214 #top .av-special-heading.av-ur3ucm-9e511afe103ebae846c052c30423ce68{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-ur3ucm-9e511afe103ebae846c052c30423ce68 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-ur3ucm-9e511afe103ebae846c052c30423ce68 .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; }

Brasov to Rasnov Cycle Route

A short but steep climbers route, deep in the Transylvania hills, from historic Brasov to Rasnov, with time for a coffee and cake, before returning over the tree lined highway.

Route Information

Brasov and Rasnov are both steeped in history, and surrounded by beautiful mountain roads.  This short road cycling route in Romania, links the two historic cities, with a high mountain road cycling climb in Transylvania.

Stats: 44km and 1,056 metres of ascent

Refreshments & Where to Stay

Brasov has all that you need for your stay, and you can fly in to nearby Sibiu and it’s international airport. There are lots of accommodation choices at all prices. There’s also a wealth of great coffee shops and restaurants to eat at too, and lots to explore on foot. The historic centre has superb hotels and AirBNB choices to suit all budgets.

Character

This is a tough climb, but with amazing views of the mountains all around you. The climb twists and turns to Rasnov, with some sharp switchbacks to be careful of on the descent. Staying in historic Brasov also allows you the freedom to enjoy the history and scenery more on foot, relaxing in this unique area of a Europe – transfixing Transylvania.

Route

There isn’t a lot of directions required for this route really. In general, head out of Brasov on the DN1E highway, which climbs to Poiana Brasov, then descend to Rasnov.

Enjoy a coffee and cake, then maybe explore the historic citadel at Rasnov, before climbing back to Poiana Brasov and returning with a good few climbing kilometres in your legs. It’s a good short route for a morning or an afternoon ride, and the highway is beautiful and scenic, being surrounded by the sublime forested mountains of this historic corner of Transylvania and Romania.

A post ride option could be a tourist trip to nearby Bran Castle, home of the fabled Dracula.

Click below for GPX file


Brasov to Rasnov


Route Cue Card

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]]> Sibiu to Paltinis Cycle Route https://pedalnorth.com/sibiu-to-paltinis-cycle-route/ Tue, 21 Apr 2020 10:54:40 +0000 https://pedalnorth.com/?page_id=13883 #top .av-special-heading.av-k3syu3-8a0b6e3f5243eed8d3c47456947ccf0d{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-k3syu3-8a0b6e3f5243eed8d3c47456947ccf0d .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-k3syu3-8a0b6e3f5243eed8d3c47456947ccf0d .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; }

Sibiu to Paltinis Cycle Route

One of the finest road cycling climbs in Transylvania, to the highest resort in Romania, Paltinis is a favourite area for our own Larisa 🙂 and this ride takes you from this historic world heritage site city, out into the countryside, before climbing the classic road to the oldest mountain resort in Romania.

Route Information

Sibiu is one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Europe and is surrounded by the high mountains of Transylvania. This route takes you to Paltinis, the highest resort in Romania and a regular climb on the annual Sibiu Tour.

Stats: 69 km and 1,125 metres of ascent

Refreshments & Where to Stay

Sibiu is an amazing place, with an international airport and lots of accommodation choices at all prices. There’s a wealth of great coffee shops and restaurants to eat at too, and lots to explore on foot. The historic centre has superb hotels and AirBNB choices to suit all budgets. Making Sibiu your cycle tour base will allow you you to chill out as you enjoy the ambience and flavour or Transylvania.

Character

This is a tough and long climb, but with amazing views of the mountains all around you. The climb twists and turns to Paltinis, with some sharp switchbacks to be careful of on the descent. Staying in historic Sibiu also allows you the freedom to enjoy the history and scenery more on foot, relaxing in this unique area of a Europe – transfixing Transylvania, the home for our own editor, Larisa Chinces, who is waiting to share her favourite roads with you.

Route

1. From Piata Mare head out of town passing the sports stadium, and towards the parks at Aleea Cãlãretilor. At Strada Ludos cross over into the park and cycle through, exiting onto Calea Dumbrãvii near the Hilton Hotel.

2. Turn right onto this road, the DJ106A and stay on it, passing through Rãsinari at 11km. The road begins to climb now, soon steepening as you hit the mountains, and continues to climb until the 33km point, summiting at Paltinis resort. Take a short refreshments break here and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

3. Descend with caution on the sharp hairpin bends, all the back down to Rãsinari.

4. At 53.7km turn left to Poplaca onto the DJ106D.

4. At Poplaca turn onto the DJ106R (57km) Calea Popliãcii signed towards Sibiu. Follow this route back into Sibiu and head for the historic centre and Piata Mare.

Click below for GPX file


Sibiu to Paltinis


Route Cue Card

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]]> Sighișoara to Făgăraș Cycle Route https://pedalnorth.com/sighisoara-to-fagaras-cycle-route/ Mon, 20 Apr 2020 11:55:22 +0000 https://pedalnorth.com/?page_id=13790 #top .av-special-heading.av-3447um-701226c078cda6f638bf654809317e5b{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-3447um-701226c078cda6f638bf654809317e5b .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-3447um-701226c078cda6f638bf654809317e5b .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; }

Sighișoara to Făgăraș Cycle Route

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

This is a long day in the saddle, with quite a bit of climbing, but with superb views and some great descents too. It links in two of the most historic and beautiful places in Transylvania.

A more relaxing day, allowing time to explore Sighișoara and Făgăraș and to take in the scenery. With lots of descending today and more time to explore, you’ll find Făgăraș  a wonderful place and want to return.

Route Information

This is two routes really, that make up one amazing bike trip between two of the most beautifil cities in Transylvania. The first day is long and filled with climbs, while day two allows you more time to explore and has lots of descending.

Stats: The rides is broken into 2 daily rides.

Day 1: 91.4 km and 797 metre of climbing.

Day 2: 59.3 km and 537 metres of climbing, but lots of descending 😉

Refreshments & Where to Stay

Nearby Sibiu is one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Europe, with history everywhere. The historic centre has superb hotels and AirBNB choices to suit all budgets. Medias is a wonderful historic town in the hills, with excellent accommodation choices for all budgets.

Both Făgăraș and Sighișoara have a wide choice of places to eat,  and to stay and to chill out as you enjoy the ambience and flavour or Transylvania.

Character

Both of these routes climb into the Saxon hillS that surround Sibiu, taking you on good roads through historic villages. Sighișoara is a truly beautiful place to explore  and has history oozing out of every building in it’s medieval centre. Făgăraș is also a hidden gem of Europe and has so much to explore. Day 1 is a long and tough ride, but day 2 allows you the freedom to enjoy the history and scenery more on foot, relaxing in this unique area of a Europe – transfixing Transylvania, the home for our own editor, Larisa Chinces, who is waiting to share her favourite roads with you.

Once you’ve done exploring, you can return to nearby Sibiu, an excellent base for continuing your Transylvania bikecation.

Route

1. Head out of Sighisoara on the DN13 south and climb for 41km among the scenic hills of this beautiful region.

2. A long and well earned descent drops you to the town of Rupea where you can take on refreshments and lunch. Rupea Citadel is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Romania, the first signs of human settlements dating from the Paleolithic and early Neolithic. The fortified church here is spectacular too.

3. At Rupea turn right onto the DJ105A towards Dacia and continue on this road as it winds through Saxon villages for 28 km, with some climbs thrown in.

4. A good descent leads to a junction with the DJ104B and you join this towards Fagaras 15 km away, with a final climb to test you before a good descent into this historic city.

Click here to access route cue card

Route

1. The return to Sighisoara starts by following the road we came down yesterday, overcoming the initial climb and following the DJ104B to Soars, then following the DJ104D towards Bradeni.

2. A steep but short climb at 17 km leads to a long period of descending on this country road, with Bradeni being reached after 38 km.

3. Leaving Bradeni on the DJ106 a short climb leaves the village towards Sighisoara, before descending for the remaining 19 km to Sighisoara and leaving you ample time to relax, change out of your cycling gear and take in some sightseeing.

Click here to access route cue card

Click below for GPX file


Sighișoara to Făgăraș


Făgăraș to Sighișoara

TAKE A BIKECATION VACATION IN ROMANIA

click here for great cycling holiday ideas

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]]> Sibiu to Medias Cycle Route https://pedalnorth.com/sibiu-to-medias-cycle-route/ Sat, 18 Apr 2020 15:52:36 +0000 https://pedalnorth.com/?page_id=13688 #top .av-special-heading.av-tjvrfc-15e4624e35667837be9066e7c20fcc34{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-tjvrfc-15e4624e35667837be9066e7c20fcc34 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-tjvrfc-15e4624e35667837be9066e7c20fcc34 .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; }

Sibiu & the Saxon villages

A long day in the saddle, but taking in beautiful hills and historic villages, and finishing with a long 17km descent into Medias.

A more relaxing day, allowing time to explore Medias and to take in the scenery before returning to historic Sibiu.

Nicu Moldovan Info Info

Photo by Nicu Moldovan on Unsplash

Route Information

Stats: Total of 155.5 km (Day 1 83.3 km, Day 2  74 km). 1309 metres of ascent (Day 1 686 metres, Day 2 616 metres) approx.

Refreshments & Where to Stay

Sibiu is one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Europe, with history everywhere. The historic centre has superb hotels and AirBNB choices to suit all budgets. Medias is a wonderful historic town in the hills, with excellent accommodation choices for all budgets.

Both Sibiu and Medias have a wide choice of places to eat and to chill out as you enjoy the ambience and flavour or Transylvania.

Character

This route climbs into the Saxon hills that surround Sibiu, taking you on good roads through historic villages, before a long descent to Medias and an overnight stay. Day 2 is an easier affair, with rolling climbs as you enjoy the spectacular scenery on the ride back to Sibiu. For the real ride junkies, you can try the full route as an all day epic.

On the way back, you’ll ride close to the spa resort of Ocna Sibiului, where you can take a break and maybe get an ice cream before the final section into town.

Route

1. From Piata Mare, ride out of town on the DJ106, eventually turning off left towards Diai and picking up the DJ106S after 13km.

2. Climb steadily for 14km, when the road steepens for a short but tough 1.5km climb, before descending and rejoining the DJ106 to Nocrich and its historic fortified church.

3. The road rolls along for a further 12km before another short but steep ascent (2km climb), that drops you down to Barghis and the DJ141 road – turn left here towards Medias. This road eventually leads to the big climb of the ride, which tops out at the 66km mark.

4. It’s now time to enjoy a rolling 17km descent all the way into historic Medias, where you can either stay overnight or eat and take a break before the ride back. You’ll have 83km in your legs on steep roads and there’s lots to see if you stop over.

Route

1. From Medias take the DN14 road west towards Tapu. The ride rolls along gently for the first 26km, turning off to onto 106B road at Tapu and heading south towards Sorostin. 

2. Climbing now begins, with an easy gradient for 9km, before hitting the steeper climb at 118km (full route), which tests your legs for 3km.  Thankfully a 4.5km descent is steep and fun, before you ride back towards Sibiu on a easy 30km on good roads with  open meadows rolling on both sides of the road. The scenery is superb and typical of rural Transylvania.

3. An intersection at 148km (full route) is where you turn left and follow the DJ143B (Calea Surii Mica) back towards historic Sibiu.

Click below for GPX file & accommodation


Sibiu to Medias Loop


Sibiu to Medias


Medias to Sibiu

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click here for great cycling holiday ideas

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