Romania Cycling Tours

Transfargarasan Challenge and Sibiu Cycling Tour Stage

in Bike Routes, Bikecation, Bikecation Locations, Blog Post, Bloggers, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, European Cycling Routes, Health and Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Road Cycling Routes, Robert Thorpe, Romania Cycling Tours, Romania Road Cycling

Described as probably the best road in the world, the Transfargarasan Highway is truly an epic climb. Thankfully you can now ride it as part of a unique closed road event once a year – so we went along 🙂

Sibiu Cycling Tour & Transfargarasan Challenge

in Bikecation, Bikecation Locations, Blog Post, Bloggers, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, Health and Lifestyle, Larisa Chinces, Larisa Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Robert Thorpe, Romania Cycling Tours

It’s a special place, my beautiful city of Sibiu. It’s where I grew up, went to university, and I know so many of the really good places, the best cycling routes, the best views in the city and the best views from the hills overlooking the city. Now, it has a world class cycling tour too, and you can ride the roads of the racers.

Around Fertainu Peak – Romania

in Bike Routes, Bikecation Locations, Blog Post, Bloggers, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, European MTB Routes, Larisa Chinces, Larisa Lifestyle, Lifestyle, MTB Routes, Romania Cycling Tours, Romania MTB Routes, Uncategorized

Take a trip with Larisa Chinces, into the beautiful forested hills and mountains in the west of Romania and Transylvania

TRANSFĂGĂRĂȘAN CHALLENGE

in Bike Routes, Bikecation, Bikecation Locations, Blog Post, Bloggers, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, European Cycling Routes, Great Road Climbs, Health and Lifestyle, Larisa Chinces, Larisa Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Romania Cycling Tours, Romania Road Cycling

“ I can’t describe the feeling when I’m cycling on this road, it’s something special and unique. When you are there you get amazed by the landscape and the more you climb, the tougher it gets, but it’s worth every pedal! The effort to pedal this road is really a challenge, more like a challenge with yourself.”

Romania 5 Top Cycling Climbs

in Bikecation, Bikecation Locations, Blog Post, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, European Cycling Routes, Larisa Chinces, Larisa Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Road Cycling Routes, Romania Cycling Tours, Romania Road Cycling

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!

Avrig and Fagaras Mountains MTB Route

in Bikecation, Bikecation Locations, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, European Cycling Routes, European MTB Routes, MTB Routes, Romania Cycling Tours, Romania MTB Routes

Avrig near Sibiu, Mountain Bike Route

Into the Fagaras Mountains

This short mountain bike route into the forest close to the historic medieval city of Sibiu in Transylvania, has some testing technical sections and steep climbing. It’s a perfect technical trail ride for a spring or summer spin.

Route Information

Sitting nestled close to the Fagaras Mountains, historic Sibiu is a great base for both road and mountain bike trips. This nearby route from the village of Avrig, takes you along steep and technical trails in the forests, exploring the lower Fagaras mountain biking opportunities.

Stats: 40.7 km and 988 metres of ascent

Refreshments & Where to Stay

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

Character

This is a short but testing forestry mountain bike trail near Sibiu, with some great technical sections and lots of descending, after the steep inital climbing 😉 It’s a useful spring and summer mtb route for a morning or afternoon ride, before relaxing in this unique area of a Europe – transfixing Transylvania.

Route

1. Unless riding with a local guide, you will need to follow the gps for this route into the hills. Head out of Avrig on the trail marked ‘105F’, passing Cabana Valea Avrigului Ovidiu after a short distance. Continue on,passing the happily named ‘Cabana Smiley’ and several other accommodation opportunities.

2. At the timber structure of ‘Gura Jibrii’ follow the gravelled trail into the trees (10.6 km). The trail climbs and follows the ridgeline in the forest, passing the cabin ‘Anna Charisma’ at 14.6 km.

3. At the 18km point, turn upwards and right, heading away from the river and climbing through trees to the high point, then descending and passing the track junction in the trees and continuing down in the direction of Marsa.

4. At 20.4 km stay on the right hand track and continue down as the trail becomes technical and skirts theforested hillside to Marsa. At 26.5 km the trail levels out for a short distance, descending again after 29 km, as it drops to Marsa.

5. Now take the open trail as it winds its way back to Avrig and the finish. Pack the bike away and drive back to Sibiu for some refreshments and evening exploring.

Click below to download GPX file

Avrig & Lower Fagaras 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 & accommodation

Brasov to Rasnov

Route Cue Card

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Trans Bucegi Highway Cycling Route

in Bike Routes, Bikecation, Bikecation Locations, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, European Cycling Routes, Great Road Climbs, Road Cycling Routes, Romania Cycling Tours, Romania Road Cycling

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, 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.

Click below for GPX file & accommodation

Brasov to Rasnov

Route Cue Card

TAKE A BIKECATION VACATION IN TRANSYLVANIA

clickhere for great cycling holiday ideas

Busteni Forests MTB Route

in Bikecation, Bikecation Locations, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, European Cycling Routes, European MTB Routes, MTB Routes, Romania Cycling Tours, Romania MTB Routes

Busteni Forests MTB Route

This short mountain bike route into the forest close to the Transylvania mountain resort of Busteni, has some testing technical trails and is perfect for a spring or summer spin.

Route Information

Busteni is a perfect mountain sports resort in Transylvania. This short mountain biking route has lots of technical features and some great descending in the trees to keep you interested.

Stats: 30km and 1,688 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.

Character

This is a short but testing forestry mountain bike trail near Busteni, with some great technical sections and lots of descending. It’s a useful spring and summer mtb route for a morning or afternoon ride, before relaxing in this unique area of a Europe – transfixing Transylvania.

Route

1. Heading out from the Gondola station at Busteni,follow the gpx as it guides you on the trail above the town, heading toards the Malaiesti Cabin, ignoring track junctions left at 4.9km and stay heading towards Poiana Coștilei.

2. The steep start eases at 5.9km for a short distance, before ascending again. At 8.8km stay right and sweep away from the high valley, then turning left at Poiana Pichetul Rosu (Red Piquette Glade) 9.9km and climbing as the trail twists towards the cabin.

3. The high point is reached at 12.9km and you begin descending to the cabin, but take care to stay on the right trail, avoiding (obviously!) the climbing ladders and boarded track in this area on the more technical hiking trails.Head down towards the Ghimbasel River, crossing this and passing close to the Cabana Diham at 19.3km.

4. Now follow the forest track that heads thrugh trees and picks up the Valea Cerbului River, as the trail descends back to Busteni.

Click below to download GPX file

Brasov to Rasnov

Brasov to Rasnov Cycle Route

in Bikecation, Bikecation Locations, Cycle Tourism, European Bikecation Locations, European Cycling Routes, Road Cycling Routes, Romania Cycling Tours, Romania Road Cycling

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 & accommodation

Brasov to Rasnov

Route Cue Card

TAKE A BIKECATION VACATION IN TRANSYLVANIA

click here for great cycling holiday ideas

Avrig near Sibiu, Mountain Bike Route

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