Three Days, Three Mountains
Riding Romania with Peter from Ireland
Some trips stand out not just for the trails, but for the stories that unfold along the way. Our first trip with Peter from Ireland was one of those special ones — three unforgettable days of riding across the best trails around Păltiniș and Rășinari, filled with breath-taking views, great conversations, and the kind of mountain magic that reminds us why we love doing this.
Peter is a true mountain biking nomad. He’s travelled with his bike to nearly every corner of the world — from the Scottish Highlands to the Andes, from the forests of British Columbia to the deserts of Morocco. But this was his first time riding in Romania, and we couldn’t wait to show him what our mountains had to offer.
Day One — Creasta Porumbelului: The Ridge of the Doves
We kicked off the adventure with a local classic — Creasta Porumbelului, the “Ridge of the Doves.” The morning started cool and clear, sunlight flickering through the beech trees as we pedalled out of the village. The trail climbed gently at first, then steepened into a steady ascent through pine forest.
When we reached the top, the reward was instant. The ridge stretched ahead like a ribbon of trail between sky and valley, rolling across open alpine meadows with views that seemed to go on forever. Peter stopped for a long moment, taking it all in. “I’ve ridden a lot of places,” he said, smiling, “but I’ve never seen anything quite like this.”
The descent was pure joy — technical in spots, fast and flowing in others, with wide-open corners that begged for speed. By the time we reached the bottom, everyone was buzzing with adrenaline and grinning ear to ear.
Day Two — The Long Ride through Păltiniș
Day two was all about distance and discovery. We set out early for a full day exploring the Păltiniș area — a long route connecting the best of the local trails into one epic loop.
The weather couldn’t have been better: crisp mountain air, perfect trail conditions, and sunlight streaming through the trees. The climbs were steady and satisfying, rewarded by long, flowing descents that danced through the forest. We passed through quiet glades, crossed wooden bridges over small mountain streams, and stopped often to admire the views. The highlight came in the afternoon when we dropped into the famous Rollercoaster section — a twisting, rolling ribbon of dirt that had Peter whooping with delight all the way down. “That’s world-class,” he said at the bottom, shaking his head in disbelief.
Day Three — Magura and the Hills of Rasinari
Our final day took us to one of the most beautiful and underrated areas in the region: the rolling hills of Rasinari and the trails around Magura Peak.
The route began with a steady climb through forest and pastureland, passing shepherd huts and curious cows who looked up as we pedaled by. The air was softer, the light golden, and the whole landscape seemed to slow down. At the top of Magura, the view stretched all the way to the Fagaras Mountains — a sea of peaks and valleys bathed in sunlight.
The descent was the perfect finale — a mix of flowing lines, natural rock gardens, and meadow trails that carried us all the way back toward the village. Peter was in his element, carving through the turns and laughing the whole way down. “If I lived here,” he said at the bottom, “I’d never stop riding.”
We finished the trip with a relaxed lunch in Rasinari, sitting outside with local cheese, bread, and coffee. The conversation drifted between trails, travel, and the shared feeling that we’d just experienced something truly special.
We finished the trip with a relaxed lunch in Rășinari, sitting outside with local cheese, bread, and coffee. The conversation drifted between trails, travel, and the shared feeling that we’d just experienced something truly special.
The End — and the Beginning
As Peter packed up his bike, the mountains stood quiet in the background, as if waiting for the next ride. For him, it had been a first taste of Romania — three days that combined adventure, culture, and connection. For us, it was a reminder of how powerful these trips can be: strangers becoming friends, trails turning into stories, and moments becoming memories.
Before he left, Peter said, “This won’t be my last time here.”
We believed him. And as the mountains glowed in the late afternoon sun, we couldn’t help but smile — because neither will it be ours.
Three days, three mountains, one unforgettable adventure!
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