Nearest Airport
: Bucharest
at 170
Kilometres
Nearest Train
: Brasov
at 45
Kilometres
Nearest Motorway
: Predeal
at 25
Kilometres
Nearest Beach
: Constanta
at 500
Kilometres
Nearest Barpub
: Bran
at 8
Kilometres
Nearest Ski
: Poiana Brasov
at 25
Kilometres
Nearest Golf
: Breaza
at 80
Kilometres
Nearest Restaurant
: Bran
at 8
Kilometres
Car: recommended
'We are in Transylvania; and Transylvania is not England. Our ways are not your ways and there shall
be to you many strange things. Bram Stoker, Dracula'
WALK THE LAND OF MYTHICAL VAMPIRES AND DRAGONS
Although almost everyone has heard of Transylvania, very few visit it and thankfully it remains a destination for the most discerning of travellers. Much of Transylvania thankfully so far has yet to be ruined by mass tourism and subsequently still affords a genuine travel experience. This walking holiday will allow you to unlock the secrets of
Transylvania amongst some of Europe’s most spectacular wild mountain scenery. You can also visit timeless small villages where life has changed little over centuries and pay a visit by walking to ‘Dracula’s Castle’ at Bran and the ancient hilltop fortress of Rasnov.
BREATHTAKING CARPATHIAN MOUNTAIN SCENERY
Transylvania thankfully still remains a destination for the discerning traveller and is yet to be over run by the ravages of mass tourism. Amongst high, soaring peaks, wild swathes of forest, ancient fortresses, forbidding castles and timeless villages, the myths and legends, fantasies and facts of legendary Transylvania become entwined. This is a land steeped in tradition, history and ancient rituals. A land inviting you to explore deeper amongst some of Europe's most spectacular and last remaining wilderness areas. The walking is varied and moderate (although it can be made easier or challenging to suit) but always stimulating. Walk beneath the breathtaking Piatra Craiului (King’s Rock) ridge and down through the Zarnesti Gorge, an area where much of the film Cold Mountain was shot. A cable car ride will enable you to easily walk high on the plateau of the Bucegi Mountains and enjoy jaw dropping views across the Carpathians to the valleys and plains almost 2500 metres below. Enjoy wild and unspoiled walking in the rarely visited Ciucas Mountains too in search of bear and wolf tracks.
FLORA AND FAUNA
With the melting of the winter snows the wild flower meadows of Transylvania burst into life. Many alpine plant species can be found here including Edelweiss, Gentian etc and with the cutting of meadows still being done manually by scythe, the mountain regions of Transylvania remain as colourful as ever. Romania is still one of the last great bastions in Europe for large predators. It is said that there are more Wolves in Romania than in the
rest of Western Europe altogether. The country also possesses healthy populations of both Bear and Lynx too, although all the large predators are elusive and seldom seen. This part of Transylvania is also rich in bird life too,from the majestic Golden Eagle, to a wide variety of migratory species.
OUR BEAUTIFUL CHALET
The domain Casa Konigstein is situated in the middle of the Carpathian mountains, between the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului mountain ridges. The small village of Sirnea, (part of Fundata), is about 170 km's away from the capital Bucharest. In the 1960's Sirnea was officially inaugurated as the 1st touristic village of Romania. Situated at 1360 meters, it is the highest village of Romania. In the area around Sirnea you can find many natural parks and natural phenoma, such as the National Park Piatra Craiului, the caves of Pestera, the Natural Reservation of La Chisatoare, the gorges of Dambovicioara and Gradistei, or the ravine of Zarnesti. Sirnea is also well positioned for cultural day trips to some of the medieval Sachsen towns and villages, such as Brasov (Kronstadt), Sighisoara (Schasburg) or Sibiu (Hermannstadt, European Cultural Capital 2008). Sirnea is 180 km's away from the capital of Romania, Bucharest, and can easlily be reached by car.
WALKING CONDITIONS
The walking is quite varied; sometimes over rugged terrain, sometimes steep but rarely sustained, sometimes through more rolling landscapes, but always on either marked trails, recognised trails, linking trails used by villagers and shepherds or even 4WD tracks. This area is ideal for the regular or adventurous hill walker with a good level of fitness. The walking days are mostly between 5 to 7 hours walking; we have many trails you can chose from! And you will only have to carry your daypack, as your main luggage will remain at the chalet Casa Konigstein.
