OVERVIEW
The Rarau Mountains together with Giumalau massif are
part of the Eastern Carpathians and offer you fantastic
cycling opportunities.
Though of moderate height (the Rarau-1,653 m and the Giumalau-1,857
m), the beauty of the landscape with karst relief, old forests
and geological preserves and the numerous paths on easy
slopes for hiking, attract many mountain lovers. Rarau is
the tourist symbol of Bucovina. Some of the most beautiful
spots are: the Devil's Mill Gorges, a geological and morphological
preserve in the Rarau Mountains, impressive for the height
of the walls; the Lady's Stones, splendid "Gothic towers"
formed of alpine limestone; the Secular Forest from Slatioara,
one of the oldest forests of Romania and even Europe, with
some trees of 350-400 years old; Putna Valley Forest, a
forest preserve under Giumalau Peak sheltering a rich fauna.
Vatra Dornei (802 m) is a resort looking up to the high
peaks of Rarau-Giumalau Mountains, situated at the confluence
of the rivers Dorna and Bistrita, in one of the most beautiful
depressions of the Eastern Carpathians, Tara Dornelor. It
is well known for its mineral waters, as well as for its
ski tracks. Furthermore, its cheese assortments are also
said to be the best. Cycling enthusiasts will be delighted
to find out that Rarau offers many forestry trails and marked
footpaths, which offer great views of the amazing landscape.
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HIGHLIGHTS
• Cheile Zugrenilor (Devil ‘s Mills
Gorges)
• Vatra Dornei spa resort
• Pietrele Doamnei (Lady’s Stones)
• Slatioara forest
• Mestecanis clough – 15 km from Vatra
Dornei
• Putna Valley –where the old Austrian
Imperial Road was passing
• Campulung Moldovenesc city - 8 km from
Pojorata village |
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| TOUR DETAILS |
| Duration |
3-days cycling tour (2 days of effective cycling) |
| Schedule |
between May and October every year ( please check the 2009 dates in the Tours dates and prices section) |
| Distance |
90 km |
| Difficulty |
moderate to challenging level |
| Elevation |
750 m - 1600 m (Rarau peak) |
| Terrain |
The tour includes national, local, village and
forest roads. |
| Accomodation |
peasant houses, pensions or hotels with breakfast
included. |
| Group size |
• The programme requires a minimum
of 5 people and a maximum of 15 participants;
• One guide will be provided for a
group of up to 8 persons and 2 guides for more
than 8 participants; |
| Price |
from 354 EUR or 390
EUR ( bike and equipment included)
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DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Get
together in Pojorata (day 1)
After a detailed introduction of the tour from our guide
we will pay a cultural and historic visit to the city
Campulung Moldovenesc. Located at 478 km from Bucharest,
the town is situated at the crossroad of the main roads
and railroads, which link Moldavia to Transylvania and
Maramures. Spread all over the Valley of Moldova River,
this town has a special charm. It is located in the
northwestern part of Suceava County. In spite of its
small size, the town accomplishes multiples urban functions
such as the tourist centre combined with an industrial
function (The Furniture Factory, The "Raraul"
Milk Factory, The Shoe's Factory, The Cotton Wires Fill
Factory). In downtown Campulung, tourists may visit
the Museum of Wood Carving and the Collection of wooden
spoons “Ion Tugui”, both unique in Europe
by diversity of the exhibited objects, structure and
placement.
Accommodation and dinner in Pojorata, the starting point
of our cycling experience in the Rarau mountains. |
Pojorata-Rarau clough-Chiril-Vatra Dornei ~ 52 km
(day 2)
After having breakfast we will begin our cycling trip
to Rarau peak. Before leaving Pojorata, take a moment
to admire the large stones of Adam and Eve as you
enter the village. A second mountain road leads up
to the chalet from the village of Pojorata, along
the dirt road. Up to Rarau peak (1600 m) we will cycle
for about 18 km, starting with an easy climbing ride.
The last 8 km will be quite demanding due to the steep
climbing. The region’s main base for hikers
is Cabana Rarau, located at an elevation of 1400 meters.
From Cabana Rarau it is just a 30-minute walk to the
foot of Rarau’s most important rocks, the Lady’s
Stones (Pietrele Doamnei). The highest peak (1678m)
is covered with crosses in memory of the climbers
the mountain has claimed (and the view is outstanding).
Additionally, a trail marked by red stripes and red
triangles, leads from the cabana to the Slatioara
Reservation. After a lunch break, we will start a
descent for 11 km up to the village of Chiril and
from there to Vatra Dornei. We will ride for about
23 km along the valley of the Bistrita river, passing
Cheile Zugrenilor and the villages of Sunatori, Rusca,
Gheorghiteni, Ortoaia si Cozanesti. Dinner and accommodation
in Vatra Dornei resort.
Important sights: Pietrele Doamnei;
Rarau peak; Liliecilor cave (1 km from Rarau hotel)
; old Rarau chalet and the new Rarau chalet;
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| Vatra
Dornei-Pasul Mestecanis-Valea Putnei-Pojorata ~37 km
(day 3)
From Vatra Dornei we follow the European Road E58
climbing towards Mestecanis clough (1096 m). We will
be climbing 300 m, on a distance of 15 km. From Mestecanis
to Pojorata we will cycle another 22 km on the European
road E58 to Campulung Moldovenesc. This beautiful
road divides the three massifs: Rarau- Giumalau, Suhard
and Obcina Mestecanis. The road descents along the
Putna and Moldova River valleys up to Pojorata. Here,
we have the option of descending using the modern
road or the old Austrian Imperial road.
The road from Vatra Dornei to Campulung Moldovenesc
is totally asphalted.
Important sights: Devil’s Mil
Gorges (Cheile Zugrenilor); Vatra Dornei resort; Mestecanis
clough; Putna valley;
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| WHAT IS INCLUDED |
| • 2 nights accommodation |
| • Full board for all period - Breakfasts,
Dinners and Picnic Lunches |
| • All entrances to museums and other
sights included in the itinerary |
| • Energizers & refreshment drinks |
| • Luggage transportation |
| • Vehicle Assistance (whenever roads
allow it to pass) |
| • English speaking
accompanying bike guide (Note: We may organize
also German or French Speaking guides, pls. inquire) |
| • Local Taxes |
| • branded Tshirt |
| • souvenirs |
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| NOT INCLUDED |
| • Airfare |
| • Alcoholic drinks |
| • Extra charges for laundry telephone
or fax charges, room service, etc. |
| • Insurance |
| • Bike, accessories
and equipment rental |
| • Transport from the airport or station
to Pojorita and back to the aiport or train station.
|
| Participants should reach the meeting
point at the proposed time. If necessary, CarpatBike
will provide assistance for the customers in terms
of transportation support (from airport or to
another destination point), ticket reservation,
renting of equipment etc. |
| • Additional local guides |
| • Single room supplement
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OTHER SPECIFICATIONS
On arrival, the participants will be informed on the programme
and other necessary information, they will be familiarised
with the local customs and will receive the travel kit (map,
equipment, bike etc). Our guides will make sure that the
participants fulfil all terms and conditions.
In case one or more participants did not reach the meeting
date and point as scheduled, it is the responsibility of
the participant to reach the group during the trip, according
to CarpatBike terms and conditions. They will receive the
support of our team in finding the group as soon as possible.
Due to the long distance for the first day and the organizational
matters, the first day will not include cycling or it will
only include short local ride or a visit in the surrounding
area.
Register for one of our
tours / Request information!
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