Top Romania walking routes

Bringing culture to life

Laura Doubleday from our supplier Tucan Travel on cultural highlights of rural Romania:
“You can visit a local woman's home and watch her decorate an egg. It’s amazing how she can paint these intricate patterns with such care and dexterity. The designs have different meanings, and as the eggshells are such fragile surfaces, it’s quite disarming. Coming into contact with these human traditions brings a nice change of dynamic after walking. The painted monasteries are popular, so you can expect to see other visitors. The paintings really are stunning and usually a monk or a nun will be showing people around which feels more intimate and authentic. Seeing the wooden churches in Maramures, not just photos, you realise how old they are. Also, they are surprisingly small. For anyone not familiar with Oriental Christianity, it's an eye opening experience.”

Homestay advice

Laura Doubleday from our supplier Tucan Travel on what you can expect to eat in Romania:
“Most guesthouses have double rooms with private bathrooms. They are varied, each quite different to the other and respecting the characteristics of the area. Food-wise, you can expect local dishes and specialties most days. You might try sarmale, rolled cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat, rice and spices. Food is usually all locally grown and prepared by the hosts. Hosts will also often prepare picnics or you can pack your own, it's flexible.”

Emily Lockwood from our supplier New Experience Vacations on the benefits of staying with local families in Romania: “Another great way to learn about culture and traditions here is simply getting to know your hosts over a home cooked meal in the evenings. If you’re staying a few nights or more in a family’s company, you’ll get to know each other pretty well.”

“Don't be put off by the length of the longer 20km walk in Piatra Crialui. It's easy going and covers a range of beautiful scenery, from walking along a limestone river gorge, through a forest and out into alpine pasture. Udo, (the local guide) gives you plenty of rest breaks and leads at a leisurely stroll. Before you realise it you'll be back home in Magura. One of our group didn't go and later regretted it.” – Stella Jales

“Some of the walks were challenging. My wife and are reasonably fit 55 and 63 year old but not regular 10K+ walkers. We did all the walks but I can see some people not being able too. Don't be misled by the easy label if you are not a regular walker.” – Stuart White, on a walking, conservation and culture vacation in the Carpathians

“Take insect repellent as well, no-one else seemed much affected but my legs were eaten alive. Binoculars would be handy as you do spend some time animal watching. The evenings in Magura are spent in the guest house so bringing a few board games would help to pass the time.” – Mary Devine

“As I was going to bed there was an incredible soundscape of dogs barking echoing through the mountains and valleys. I then woke up just past midnight to a very dramatic thunderstorm (the dogs must have known it was coming). I went to the window and looked out of it. That's when I got my first glimpse of the landscape of the Carpathian mountains - illuminated for a second by a huge flash of lightning. It felt like I'd arrived somewhere wild.” – Blake Humphries

“Take a flower book, there were so many we could not recognise. We were a group of four vegetarians, the food was fantastic whether you were a meat eater or not. All thoughtfully prepared.” – Linda Gould