Things to see & do in
the Carpathian Mountains
Our Romania Vacations
Carpathian Mountains conservation & culture vacation
Wolves, bears & sightseeing
Transylvania vacation accommodation
Stay at a Count's guesthouse
Romania adventure vacation
An amazing tour exploring medieval Europe and Transylvania
Transylvania walking and nature vacation in Romania
A scenic nature tour of Transylvania
Transylvania winter vacation accommodation
B&B in Transylvania
Horse riding vacation in Romania
An eco horse riding facility in Transylvania
Romania hiking vacation, self guided
Experience walking through the heart of Transylvania
Romania hiking vacation
Take the challenge and explore the Western Carpathians.
Carpathian mountains vacation in Romania
Discover the real life in the mountain villages of Romania.
Snowshoeing short break in Romania
Live a unique winter experience on snowshoes.
Transylvanian Alps trekking vacation in Romania
Exploring the spectacular Transylvanian Carpathian mountains
Romania small group vacation
Family escape in the highlands of the Apuseni Mountains.
Romania activity vacation, Western Carpathians
A multiactivity escape for adventurous travelers.
Transylvania wildlife vacation, lynx watching and tracking
Lynx watching and tracking in the land of Dracula
Motorbike tours in Romania
Join us on a motorbike ride in Transylvania, Dracula's land
Wolf tracking and watching vacation in Transylvania
Wolf watching and trekking in Transylvania (mid Jan-Feb)
The Carpathians – a geography lesson
One of Europe’s most significant mountain chains, the backbone of the Carpathians sweeps its way in a tight arc across Austria, Czechia, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. Romania takes the lion’s share. Here, the Transylvanian plateau, with its Saxon villages and medieval castles, is cradled in the embrace of the Carpathians’ Eastern, Southern and Apuseni Ranges. Slovakia’s High Tatras range boasts the Carpathian’s highest peaks, with several topping 2,600m. Summer hiking here is spectacular, while the winter months bring a host of snow-filled activities to the Tatras’ plunging slopes.Things to do in the
Carpathian Mountains
Wildlife watching
Our top Romania Vacation
Carpathian Mountains conservation & culture vacation
Wolves, bears & sightseeing
2021: 12 Jun, 3 Jul, 24 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct
2022: 30 Apr, 14 May, 4 Jun, 11 Jun, 2 Jul, 16 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 10 Sep, 17 Sep, 1 Oct, 8 Oct
Walking in the Carpathian Mountains
Other activities in the Carpathian Mountains
You don’t need to lace up hiking boots for an adventure here; horse riding, cycling and rafting are equally exciting ways to explore the vast karst valleys. Or get your adrenaline kicks below the limestone surface in the crystal-filled cave systems of Romania’s Apuseni Range, with large caverns open to casual cavers as well as options for more serious underground exploration.Wrap up during the Carpathian’s fairytale winter for traditional sleigh rides between Transylvanian villages, or strap on skis for exhilarating snow sports in Slovakia’s High Tatras.
Soak up Carpathian culture
It is said that Bram Stoker wrote Dracula after studying the myths and legends emanating from these dramatic, misty peaks. And while the legend of the region’s most famous mythical ‘son’ is perhaps overplayed you’ll hear an opera-full of folklore on a Carpathian Mountains vacation. The legends are kept alive in the traditional ways of life that still abound. UNESCO-listed Saxon villages like Viscri seem untouched by the passage of time. Horses and carts ply the fields in places where modern agriculture is yet to reach and local craftsmen carve musical instruments, weave clothing and sculpt pottery using skills passed down through generations.Stay with a real life Transylvanian count in one of his carefully restored family guesthouses and you can experience rural Carpathian life to the fullest. The welcome will be as warming as the homemade palinka (plum brandy) you’ll undoubtedly be offered.
Carpathian Mountains highlights
Piatra Craiului National Park
Apuseni Nature Park
The Western Romanian Carpathians are an underground adventure wonderland. Here a network of vast caverns, carved out of the limestone by underground rivers, sparkle with crystals. If you prefer to remain above ground, the hiking is fabulous here – the Lost World Plateau – through some of the Carpathian’s most remote mountain villages, steep karst valleys and dense forests. In winter, ski touring is possible, too.Bucegi Mountains
Brasov
This medieval town is an excellent base for vacations in the Southern Carpathians. Its central location allows easy access to some of the region’s best hikes and winter sports. Wildlife lovers will love it here too; bears can be seen from hides just outside town, and the surrounding mountains are home to lynx and wolves. Alternatively get your Dracula fix at the nearby 14th century Bran Castle.Best time to visit the
Carpathian Mountains
Spring’s crisp air and warm sunshine mean this is one of the best times to visit the Carpathian Mountains, with rare orchids blooming in the high meadows in May to June. In the autumn, the beech forests turn shades of rusty orange that will keep photographers enthralled for hours. While summer is the Carpathian peak season, and the more popular trails will be a little busier, the mountains still offer a tranquil, cooler getaway from city sightseeing.