TRANSYLVANIA GRAND TOUR
For experienced cyclists ready to cover long distances daily and explore the best of Transylvania, crossing its diverse regions
Tour duration
9 Days / 8 Nights
Trip style
Road, Gravel
Start location
Cluj-Napoca
Dificulty
5/5
Starting from
2,740 euro
ABOUT TRANSYLVANIA GRAND TOUR
Embark on a 8-day cycling adventure through the heart of Transylvania, where nature, history, and culture blend seamlessly into a breathtaking journey. Starting in Cluj Napoca the tour gradually takes you through diverse landscapes—rolling hills, tranquil villages, and the towering peaks of the Carpathians, crossing Transylvania from East to West.
The route takes you towards Alba Iulia, a city of great historical importance with its impressive fortifications, and then on to Sibiu, one of Romania’s most charming medieval cities. Here, cobbled streets, colorful buildings, and bustling squares invite you to relax and explore after a rewarding day of cycling.
You’ll cross paths with the Transylvanian Saxons’ legacy, whose influence is visible in the numerous fortified churches that dot the region. These Saxon settlements, built to defend against invasions, form a unique cultural landscape that stands as a testament to the resilience and industriousness of its people.
An epic climb to Bâlea Lac, set at an altitude of 2,034 meters, brings you into the heart of the Southern Carpathians.
The road winds through lush alpine meadows, offering awe-inspiring views with each hairpin turn, culminating in a breathtaking glimpse of the Bâlea Glacial Lake, surrounded by jagged mountain peaks.
Due to the heavy snowfalls during winter the road opens officially on the 1st of June each year and closes on the 1st of November. Depending on how warm the weather is in June we could climb earlier than the 30th on a car free road, so keep this in mind when you are planning your trip.
From here, the journey takes you deeper into Transylvania’s heritage as you reach Viscri, a village known for its well-preserved Saxon architecture and unique charm. Cycling through the village’s cobbled streets and past its fortified church, you’ll step back in time to experience the simplicity and beauty of rural Transylvania.
This 8-day adventure offers a perfect balance of challenging cycling and cultural exploration, immersing you in the authentic heart of Transylvania, where history, nature, and timeless traditions await around every corner.
ROUTE

DAY TO DAY
We will meet you at Cluj airport and transfer you to your hotel. Upon arrival, those who brought their bicycles can assemble them, and we will take the boxes to the storage place. If you choose to rent a bicycle from our partners, you will have the chance to get used to it. In the evening, you can explore the town and have dinner in one of the many restaurants in the city centre.
Hotel: Vibre Hotel
The tour will start directly from Cluj city, with a climb through Făget Forest, making us quickly forget the urban surroundings and enter the hilly landscape so characteristic of Transylvania.
After a little more than half of the day's ride, we will reach the spectacular Szekler's Rock, a karst formation famous for rock climbing, hiking and paragliding. We will stop in the very picturesque village at its foothills, Rimetea, the starting point for all these routes and also famous for its beautiful white houses.
After lunch here, we will ride another 20 km before tackling the final climb of the day: 500 metres of elevation gain on the first part of the Transapuseana road, leaving the rest of this spectacular road for the following day.
Guesthouse: Pyramid's Haven
The day will continue with the best part of the Transapuseana road, through the heart of the Apuseni Mountains, where the early morning mist clings to the landscape.
The road was only recently asphalted, so the big tourist crowds have not made it up here yet. Breathtaking landscapes and traditional wooden houses with hay roofs will make you forget the climbs, and help you understand why this road became famous so soon after it opened. As we continue, the route will gradually descend as we approach Alba Iulia, one of Transylvania’s most important historical cities.
Upon arrival, we’ll head to the Mercure Alba Iulia Hotel, a beautiful new hotel offering both comfort and a touch of history, as it was built on top of ancient Roman ruins, which can be visited in the underground level of the building. After checking in, you’ll have time to relax and explore the city, followed by a delicious dinner.
Hotel: Mercure Alba Iulia
The day begins with a smooth ride from Alba Iulia, taking us through scenic countryside and traditional villages. We follow quiet roads through open farmland and pastoral settings, where time seems to slow down.
After approximately 50 km, we’ll stop for a well-earned lunch break at a local café. Refueled, we’ll continue toward Sibiu, with the landscape slowly shifting—small hills begin to rise and the horizon fills with the dramatic silhouette of the Făgăraș Mountains.
The approach into Sibiu takes us along peaceful backroads and forest paths, ending in one of Transylvania’s cultural jewels.
We’ll arrive at the Mercure Hotel, where we’ll have time to relax and unwind after the day’s ride.
Hotel: Mercure Sibiu Arsenal
Today’s ride takes us to Veseud and to our favorite accommodation of the tour. The first part of the day takes us through the Saxon settlements around Sibiu, and after 45km, we'll have a well-deserved lunch break at the Orangery located in the park of Avrig’s Brukenthal Palace. Following a winding road climb, revealing the majestic range of the Făgăraș mountains, we enter the Hârtibaciu Valley area with its rolling hills, one of the last intact rural medieval landscapes in Europe.
We’ll reach Veseud 11 guesthouse, our destination for the night, where a warm welcome and cozy surroundings await. After checking in, you can unwind and enjoy a delicious dinner in a peaceful, rustic setting. The serene environment will provide the ideal place to relax and recharge for the adventures that lie ahead.
Guesthouse: Veseud 11
This is the day of an epic climb. After thirty-three kilometres of warming up, we will reach Cârțișoara, where the next thirty kilometres of climbing will take us from the lowlands to the second-highest altitude reachable by road in Romania.
As we cross the coniferous forest, we will make our way into the alpine pastures. After 25 hairpin turns and countless breathtaking views of the Transylvanian Alps, as the mountains are nicknamed, we will conquer the Transfăgărășan. At the top of the climb, the mountains and the road will reveal their last secret: Bâlea Lake, a glacial lake at an altitude of 2,040 metres, nestled in a glacial cirque guarded by majestic rocky peaks.
After having lunch at Ceaușescu’s former mountain hut, built beside the lake, we will get ready for a magical descent along the same road we took up. The thirty-kilometre ride down the mountain will be just as rewarding and awesome as the climb.
Due to the heavy snowfalls during winter the road opens officially on the 15st of June each year and closes on the 1st of November. Please keep this in mind when you are planning your trip.
Guesthouse: Casa Mosului
The route takes us along quiet country roads, winding through peaceful landscapes, and offering views of lush meadows and traditional villages. The gentle climb through the foothills of the Făgăraș Mountains provides a perfect opportunity to take in the beauty of the countryside at a relaxed pace. As we approach the iconic Saxon villages, we will be immersed in the region's rich history, cycling past well-preserved fortifications and centuries-old churches. We will end the day in the picturesque Unesco village of Viscri. One of the benefactors of the village is His Majesty Charles III, who in 2006, after buying and restoring some of the 18th century Saxon houses in the village, became the promoter of sustainable tourism in Transylvania. In the evening, you'll be able to witness one of the most iconic spectacles of rural Transylvanian life when the cattle return to the village from grazing, a perfect ending for your trip.
Guesthouse: Viscri 125
The route takes us through lush meadows, with distant views of the mountains on the horizon, setting the tone for a relaxing yet rewarding ride. The final stretch brings us closer to Sovata, the most famous and picturesque spa resort in Transylvania. The place is well known for its spectacular landscapes, clean air, and lakes with therapeutic properties.
We will spend the last night of the tour in a 4-star hotel with a spa included, a perfect reward at the end of a demanding tour.
Guesthouse: Hotel Crystal
After breakfast you will be transferred by car back to Cluj Napoca.
PRICES

FULLY GUIDED TOUR
€3,530 per person for groups of 5+ people
€3,930 per person for groups of 4 people
€4,960 per person for groups of 3 people
€6,740 per person for groups of 2 people
SUPPORTED TOUR
€2,740 per person for groups of 5+ people
€2,980 per person for groups of 4 people
€3,770 per person for groups of 3 people
€4,960 per person for groups of 2 people
Single supplement - €300
DEPOSIT - €400 (50% refundable up to 60 days before departure)
BALANCE - Full payment due 30 days prior to tour start
Learn more about the differences between FULLY GUIDED and SUPPORTED tours here.
What is included?
- All accommodation and meals, except dinner on Day 0
- English-speaking local guides
- Fully guided tours: Two guides – one cycling with the group and the other driving the support van
- Supported tours: One guide driving the support van
- Fruits, nuts, snacks, and water during riding
- Assistance car
- Car transfer on the first and last day to/from Cluj airport
- A digital photo album of your trip (for fully guided tours)
Not included
- Bicycle
-
- we recommend bringing your own road or gravel bike
- we can assist you in renting a bicycle from one of our partners in Sibiu
-
Optional
- Cube Nuroad gravel bike - €150 (limited availability)
- Transylvania Cycling jersey - €50
ACCOMMODATION & FOOD

GUESTHOUSES
Accommodation is provided in double or single rooms with private bathrooms, in five- or four-star hotels whenever possible. In the villages, we have chosen cozy village guesthouses. Each guesthouse is unique, with beautiful gardens where you can relax after a day’s riding.
For single rooms there’s a single occupancy supplement.

FOOD & DRINK
Breakfast, lunch and a three-course dinner are included in the tour package. In cities, dinner will be à la carte at the hotel where we stay or at another restaurant. In villages, dinner will have a fixed menu and will be prepared and served at the guesthouses. Vegetarian options are also available upon request.
Alcoholic beverages are not included in the package and should be paid for separately at each location.

LUNCH & COFFEE BREAKS
Lunch is included in the tour package and will be served at restaurants selected in advance by our team. At least one coffee stop between breakfast and lunch is planned each day, but we can always make additional refreshment stops whenever needed, so you can enjoy your holiday at your own pace.
Fruit, nuts, cereal bars and water are available anytime.
MORE INFORMATION
9 DAYS & 8 NIGHTS - 7 DAYS OF RIDING
DIFFICULTY: 5/5
AVERAGE DAILY DISTANCE
104 km (64 miles)
AVERAGE DAILY ELEVATION
1,310 m (4,297 feet)
TOTAL DISTANCE
726 km (451 miles)
TOTAL ELEVATION
9,175 m (30,100 feet)
TERRAIN: HILLY
Transylvania is hilly and that’s why any trip in this region implies some climbing, but the effort will be lavishly rewarded by the wonderful landscapes, colourful flower meadows and tranquil villages where life flows at a very slow pace. Every day there will be some short and rolling hills and a climb which will require more effort to conquer. But don’t worry as the descents are always beautiful and rewarding. For the elevation profile and for the number of kilometers/miles covered on a daily basis, see the day to day itinerary.
On all our tours we aim to find quite secondary roads, so that you’ll fully enjoy your vacation without the noise of big and busy roads. In this tour we only cycle on asphalt.
* At times, from various reasons, the routes, the activities listed in the daily breakdown or the guesthouses we sleep in may slightly change. Our guides will always try to replace them with similar or higher standard services in order to provide the same trip experience.



















