Medieval Heritage of Transylvania
7 nights from €1899
5Take a trip through time to visit UNESCO heritage sites and cultural hubs from the middle ages
This tour takes you along country roads and pastoral landscapes far from the crowded routes on flat terrain, unpaved country trails, and up and downhill trails where you can enjoy the incredible Transylvanian scenery.
You will pass historic architecture, preserved since the Middle Ages and visit UNESCO World Heritage churches, castles, remote villages, and even the medieval city of Sibiu, named the Cultural Captial of Europe in 2007.
On this tour you will enjoy uniquely selected accommodation, specialty experiences, and premium services.
The guided tour can run with a minimum of 2 participants for an additional surcharge.
Daily Program
Day 1: Individual arrival in Brașov
Brașov lies approximately 106 miles/170km from Bucharest. Arrive in the afternoon to check in to your hotel. A morning transfer from Bucharest can be organized for you (for an additional fee). Once comfortably settled in, you will find your bicycle waiting for you, ready to be tested. You can also have time for a short tour in the old center of this beautiful medieval city, famous for the Black Church and other sites.
Overnight in Brașov city center, or nearby village.
Day 2: Brașov area – Talisoara village
37 miles/65 km
After breakfast, you will leave Brașov on the north route to Bod, following a secondary route for 14 miles/23 km. You will ride through San Petru, Bod, Feldioara/Marienburg, Haghig, Belini, and Aita Mare.
From Feldioara you cycle along the Olt River to Miclosoara, where an old medieval castle of Count Kalnoky will be visited. Miclosoara (Miklósvár) is the oldest documented settlement of the region. Its castle was first mentioned in 1211 AD as border fortress between the territory donated to the Knights of the Teutonic Order and the rest of the Kingdom of Hungary.
We will continue then the route for another 10 km to reach our final destination for today, Talisoara (Tălișoara), where you will be accommodated in an old restored castle. Provided there is time, a visit to the local blacksmith may be organized (not included in tour cost).
Overnight in Talisoara (Tălișoara)
Day 3: Talisoara – Viscri
34 miles/55km
After a medieval evening and a refreshing breakfast, you will continue your route along Olt River through several villages. There are 2 options to reach Viscri: one using a longer, totally paved route via Varghis village and one following the route via Racos, along Olt river, on an unpaved road (although, we recommend to have the unpaved road only on the guided version of the tour).
Once arrived in Rupea you can have a stop for a quick lunch, and then you will continue your route via Dacia to Viscri, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site. Viscri is a small settlement in the heart of Transylvania, where you can discover ageless traditions, legends, and faiths of its people while enjoying the architecture and savoring the richness of its craftsmanship and cuisine. You will have the opportunity to visit the local fortified church (UNESCO World Heritage), to visit the felt-craft workshop and discover how the felt is made by hand, or a traditional workshop producing bricks and tiles for the local community and for the historical buildings in the area.
Overnight in Viscri.
Day 4: Viscri – Cincsor village or nearby
32 miles/ 52 km
Today you will first cycle an undulating 15 km on paved road to Jibert village before crossing a wild forest hill (8 km) to Cobor village. The uphill from Jibert to the forest is difficult (you might push your bike a bit), but also breathtaking.
From the top of the forest you will have paved road all the way to Cobor, but be careful of shepherd dogs. Once in Cobor village, you can visit a biodiversity farm (horses and cows) and have an organic local lunch. From Cobor you will continue the gravel trip for another 10 km, and then follow a paved road for the rest of the day trip. Once arrived in Cincsor – the final destination for the day, you will accommodate in the former parish house, now renovated.
Overnight in Cincsor.
Day 5: Cincsor – Sighisoara
38 miles/64 km
Today you will have a paved route from Cincsor village to Sighisoara Middle Age fortress – a UNESCO World Heritage site. From Cincsor you head north to reach Dealu Frumos village (the Beautiful Hill) – the geographical center of Romania. Then you will pass Agnita and Sighisoara. You can have lunch in Agnita or you can have a 10km detour to Movile village to visit an old fortified church renovation project and have lunch in the village.
Once you've arrived in Sighisoara, make sure to take some time and walk the historical city center of the citadel. Sighisoara is one of the seven medieval fortified cities, the best preserved and still inhabited. The small, but bohemian citadel is hiding a lot of stories and places and it is a heaven for photographers.
Overnight in Sighisoara.
Day 6: Sighisoara – Biertan
~25 miles/ 41 km
After breakfast, you start cycling from Sighisoara to the country roads from Malancrav. In Malancrav you can visit the local church and the Apafi manor house and enjoy a special lunch in a local traditional house. In the afternoon the trip continues with 15 km of country and forest roads with a lot of uphill. After 10 km you will reach Copsa Mare village and descend towards Biertan. You should pay a visit to Biertan fortifications, which made it the very first of Transylvania’s villages to receive UNESCO status – the imposing walls against the backdrop of the rolling hills makes for one of the country’s most beautiful fortified churches.
Overnight in Biertan.
Day 7: Biertan – Sibiu
43-49 miles/ 70-80 km cycling
Today’s ride is solely on paved road. After a short but excellent ride in the morning, you can have a short detour and make stop in Alma Vii village, where you can even serve some light lunch or snack in a typical Saxon cellar in the town's 13th-century citadel. The last part of the road to Sibiu, though totally asphalted, can be crowded for the last 15 km.
In case you don’t want to cycle the longer distance, a car transfer can be organized for the last part of the route (not included in tour price). After reaching Sibiu, you can enjoy a walk through Sibiu (visit the Old Town, the Medieval Fortress, the Brukenthal Museum).
Overnight in Sibiu.
Day 8: Departure
Day 1: Individual arrival in Brașov
106 miles/170 km from Bucharest capital city
Guests can arrive in Brașov/Kronstadt from noon onward. A morning transfer from Bucharest can be organized on request. Scheduled is a short tour in the old centre of this beautiful medieval city, famous for the Black Church and other sites followed by one hour transfer to Talisoara at for a warm up ride, welcome dinner, and intro talk with your dedicated Romanian local guide. Time permitting, a visit to a local blacksmith may also be organized.
Overnight in Talisoara at Daniel Castle.
Day 2: Talisoara – Viscri
34 miles/55 km
After a medieval evening and a refreshing breakfast, you will continue your route along Olt River through several villages. There are 2 options to reach Viscri, one using a longer asphalt route via Varghis village and one following the route via Racos. Once arrived in Rupea, you will continue your route via Dacia to Viscri, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site. After a short rest or if interested, we will have the opportunity to visit the felt-‐craft workshop and discover how the felt is made by hand, starting from wool.
Overnight in Viscri
Day 3: Viscri – Crit – Sighisoara
7 miles/12 km on bike + 22 miles/35 km by car or 26 miles/42 km MTN bike trail
After a nice breakfast we will have a short bike tour to reach the beautiful village of Crit. Along the route you will stop in Saschiz to visit the Saschiz fortified church, another UNESCO World Heritage site. The famous magnificent bell tower, whose church was built in the 15th century, dominates Saschiz. On the hill above Saschiz is the Peasant Citadel, built by the Saxons probably on the site of a former Roman fort. The citadel is great place for a picnic lunch and an excellent photographer’s vantage point. You will arrive in Sighisoara in the evening to have a tour of the beautiful old citadel. Sighisoara is recognized as one of the best-‐preserved medieval towns in Europe.
Alternative route: For those cyclists trying to perform a more challenging route, a 42 km single trail MTB route is available from Viscri to Sighisoara. Skilled cyclists can perform this trail, which goes over the Transylvanian hills, through idyllic landscapes and woods. The trail is part of the “Transylvanian hills” cycling network. Cyclists can perform the total route or only part of it (18, 23 or 30 km, depending on their skills and potential). Please note that along this trail we cannot provide assistance car; the participants can meet the assistance car only at the mentioned points on the trail (18, 23 or at 30 km from Viscri).
Overnight in Sighisoara
Day 4: Sighisoara/Schaessburg – Cund
34 miles/55 km
Passing through Danes, Floresti, Malancrav/Malmkrog, Laslea, Hoghilag, and Dumbraveni, you will visit castles and fortified churches. Discover the remote village of Cund, a small town where the German community renovated the old homes, bringing 3- and 4-star luxury life to this hidden part of the world.
Overnight in Cund
Day 5: Cund round trip
25 miles/40 km
Today we will experience the rural life around the small village of Cund. There are various routes and objectives, depending the cycling options of the group. The 40 km asphalt route will allow us to visit a wine cellar and the nearby villages. The off-‐road paths will allow us to visit the local forest paths and local sheepfolds, discover the wild life and other attractions.
Attractions on the way: the Villa Vinea winery; Butoiul Sasului cellar; the 18th century wooden church in Lepindea; the forest near Giacas. Picnic or restaurant lunch on the way.
Overnight in Cund
Day 6: Cund – Sibiu
46 miles/75 km
Today includes a visit to Biertan, one of the most well known fortified churches included in the UNESCO World Heritage. Leaving Cund we are going to pass first Biertan village and visit the famous fortified church, followed by Mosna, where we will pay a visit to an organic cheese farm. The road from Dumbraveni to Sibiu is totally asphalted, but can be crowded in the last part (approx.20 km). For cyclists who don’t want to cycle the longer distance, the car transfer is available for the last part of the route. After reaching Sibiu, we will have a short evening walking tour through Sibiu to visit the Old Town, the Medieval Fortress, and the Brukenthal Museum.
Overnight in Sibiu
Day 7: Sibiu
optional day or departure
In the morning you can take a short sightseeing trip to the open air village museum Astra. The museum is built around 3 lakes in the Dumbrava Forest and features houses, churches, and water/windmills from all over Romania. After the visit, take a cycling trip to the villages Cisnadioara, Rasinari till Gura Raului.
Hotels
These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
The accommodations on this tour are beautifully restored medieval guesthouses, castles, and 3‐ and 4-star traditional bed and breakfasts.
Talisoara: Daniel Castel Hotel
Cund: Valea Verde Retreat
Viscri: Viscri 125
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
Bikes
Standard touring bike
Cannondale, GT or Cube XC
Accessories
Equipment provided at no charge:
- Helmet
- Locks
- Repair kit
- Pump
Pedals/seats:
You may choose to bring your own seat, pedals, bottles and/or other accessories; we will change out seats and pedals for you.
Helmets:
While a helmet will be provided, we recommend that for safety and hygiene reasons you bring your own or plan to purchase one upon arrival.
Surface and terrain
This tour includes national, local, village, and forest roads through pastoral landscapes and peaceful Transylvanian scenery. The terrain includes flat asphalt roads, unpaved country hilly trails, and rolling hills.
On this tour, 10% of the riding is on dedicated bike paths, 60% is on quiet roads with little or no traffic, and 30% on roads shared with traffic.
How to get there
Tour start
Nearest airport: Bucharest, Romania
Nearest train station: Brasov, Romania
Tour end
Nearest airport and train station: Sibiu, Romania
The best way to transfer between the airports and train stations is by taxi.
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Reviews
- ★★★★★ Renee
Amazing cycling in Romania
I cycled the Medieval Transylvania route solo with the support of local tour operator. I booked at very short notice but everything was perfectly organised. Great welcome, comprehensive travel notes and verbal information and a great Canondale bike (well serviced, all spares available and cycle panniers supplied). The daily routes (with accurate GPX files) were interesting and with diverse scenery. The routes were mainly on small quiet roads with only a few stretches of busier roads. Trip notes highlighted good places to stop for cultural visits, lunch and dinner. Oana helped book ahead at 2 places for lunch, which was greatly appreciated. The accommodation was fantastic (never been on a cycle holiday with such amazing accommodation before) - in castles and guesthouses. The proprietors were all kind, helpful and keen to explain the local history. Baggage transfer was efficient and easy. I've done many cycle holidays (in groups and solo) but this is one of the best! Definitely plan to go back to Romania for further cycle adventures. Thank you so much - especially to Oana who was amazing.
- ★★★★★ JimJ
Cycling was fantastic but not even the best part!
This tour will long linger in my memories. The cycling was scenic, varied and truly fun. Much of it was through truly remote areas, such as through a dense forest where we were told the largest concentration of brown bears in Europe still make their home. We waved to farm workers, many of them Roma, on the sides of dirt roads. We passed medieval castles and towering churches.
And on most days we saw far more horse carts than cars.
Other aspects were perhaps even more memorable. The lodging, for example, was unique and wonderful. In Talisoara we stayed in a restored castle and dined in its richly decorated banquet hall. In Cund, we overnighted and dined at Valea Verde Retreat, an endeavor that has brought a dying farm village back to life. Guests get to experience farm life as it had been for centuries—and even go foraging with the chef/owner, Jonas Schaefer.
The traditional cuisine was another highlight. Valea Verde has also become an award-winning destination for foodies across Europe, and our group savored some of the best farm-to-table cuisine I’ve experienced—and it’s especially fun when the table is at the farm.
We also visited Moşna and had lunch at the farm of Willy Schuster, a passionate supporter of the cause of sustainable and organic farming in Romania and abroad. After he introduced us to “the happiest cows in all of Europe,” he and his team brought out tray after tray of fresh farm delights.
Also along the way we also got to watch craftspeople and artisans at work such as brick makers, blacksmiths, and shoemakers.
All this is part of efforts to keep traditional crafts and customs alive.
So this is a tour that truly benefits the people and communities we pass through.
--Jim Johnson, founder and president, BikeTours.com
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 30+
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
Video: #WhyIBikeTour--Medieval Transylvania edition
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