Discover the real Transylvania on a new long-distance hiking trail

Exploring Transylvania promises medieval citadels, fortified churches and legendary castles. It is a real retreat for nature lovers in the middle of the majestic Carpathians, but the new thing since October 2022 About Transilvanica invites active travelers to explore the essence of Romanian culture. The 1,400 km long path winds through time-displaced villages and vast, ancient forests from Bukovina in the northeast to Drobeta-Turnu Severin in the southwest on the Danube.

The route for hikers, cyclists and horse riders passes 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites and is a captivating journey through the forests and lush meadows of Transylvania – and beyond. It is not uncommon to see scenes of local traditions and life: villagers grow their own food, travel in horse-drawn carts, and diligently collect haystacks. On the way, “the path that connects” – the motto of the Via Transilvanica – is an experiential journey that combines the incredible natural diversity of the country with two millennia of cultural, historical and ethnic heritage.

Today, adventurous travelers have easier access to Transylvania, traveling from Romania's newest airport in 50 years, the the brand new Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport and The newly expanded Cluj-Napoca airport.

(Find out why Brasov, Romania and Via Transilvanica are active National The best of the world from Geographic 2025.)

Via Transilvanica sparks new life in rural communities

Via Transilvanica is a social project that has given a new purpose and clear prospects for economic development to Romania's lesser-known towns and villages, which are on the verge of depopulation.

“Romania has revealed itself in a way that we did not know before,” says Alin Uşeriu, one of the founders of Tășuleasa Social, an NGO that launched the trail back in 2018. Uşeriu runs the organization alongside his brother Tibi Uşeriu, an ultramarathoner and three-time consecutive winner of the notoriously tough marathon 6633 Arctic Ultra.

Exploring the route step by step on foot, Uşeriu says it was the best way to get to know the country. An agricultural nation at its core, Romania offers a less crowded, eco-friendly option on a continent increasingly burdened by overtourism. A gateway to a slower pace of life, the Via Transilvanica reveals rural Romania and its idyllic, wild landscapes.

“We asked ourselves: Could we do a project based on values?” And that answer was a resounding yes. Tășuleasa Social's mission began in 2000 with a volunteer school and began with concern for the environment and the increased threat of illegal logging and deforestation. Transylvania is home to the last remaining virgin forests in Europe, so the organization's main message of sustainability and conservation became more important. However, their driving force is preserving the authenticity of life in these small towns that live off the land.

“We have revived some villages that were almost abandoned,” says Uşeriu. One of the most telling cases is that of Șapartoc – a hamlet 8 miles (13 km) from the picture-perfect UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sighisoara – whose population had grown from 800 to just a few residents. For the first time in 47 years, the bells of the Orthodox Church rang in December 2021 to celebrate the birth of a child. The baby's parents, Radu and Andrea, are also the hosts of a traditional event Agritourism guesthouse There. As a result of the project and the opportunities it presented, the population began to grow again and more families were encouraged to move to such areas.

Having reached almost 40,000 hikers on an average seven-day hike in the first two years, the potential is expected to reach 300,000 per year in the future. Encouraged by the response so far, the Romanian brothers have welcomed adventurers from Australia, Canada, South Africa and Japan to their headquarters on a picturesque hill near Bistrița, which acts like a campus of sorts.

Via Transilvanica has become the country's best ambassador. In addition to the circular orange “T” directional signs along the way, a total of 1,400 sculpted andesite stone markers at each kilometer convey a unique story that contributes to the visual identity of the epic trail. More than 80 artists worked on carving the bollards, making it one of the largest outdoor sculpture exhibitions in the world.

Experience Romanian gastronomy and rural hospitality along the way

Passing through around 400 villages, tourists will find that each place has its own culinary traditions and folklore. “You could literally try 400 variations of the same soup,” laughs Uşeriu.

Eating a farm-to-table meal at a villager's home is not an uncommon practice and is usually a great way to form lasting friendships. Daily celebrations are to be expected (and almost impossible to refuse), typically starting with fiery shots pălincă, a plum brandy with 40 to 50 percent alcohol. Along the way, New gastronomic attractions and small businesses are constantly emerging, including hair salons and massage parlors.

German long-distance hiker Christine Thürmer is one of the trail's early supporters and the only woman in the world to have now covered nearly 40,390 miles (65,000 km) on foot. The author of four best-selling books, Thürmer covered the entire route before its opening, an experience she writes about in her latest book – translated into Romanian. She believes that the biggest benefit of her Via Transilvanica hike was this Romanian hospitality. “I came as a stranger and left as a friend,” she explains.

What you should know

Backpackers and hikers should consider Anna Szekely's comprehensive amenities Hiking guide. Additionally, Szekely, Managing Director of Tășuleasa Social, provides detailed route descriptions, advice on booking your stay in advance, accommodation options with prices and restaurant options.

Romania is home to Europe's largest concentration of brown bears (around 8,000 individuals) and readers will also receive important tips and warnings about active bears after sunset. A more common occurrence (in hiking) are sheepdogs, which are trained to protect sheep from wolves. When hiking the Via Transilvanica, outdoor enthusiasts should remain vigilant and plan ahead to explore Romania safely.