Transfagarasan and Transalpina epic climbs

“We were wrong, this is better than the Stelvio, this is the best road in the world!” Jeremy Clarkson – Top Gear
Challenging / Combined / Luxury / Most popular / Road cycling / Transylvania

Overview

  • ~250 Km by bike from across Transalpina and Transfagarasan– the highest alpine roads in Romania
  • Professional support, guiding and assistance
  • Bike rental and transportation
  • Luxury accommodation in restored manor houses with full board included

Experience a two days cycling adventure, crossing two times Carpathians from South to North and from North to South, and spend one night in Sibiu – former Cultural European Capital in 2006 and one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Romania.

Your trip starts in Horezu area, a remarkable center of ceramic workshops included in UNESCO World Heritage. You will be accommodating in an old beautifully restored manor house in Maldaresti, close to Horezu area. For groups, we recommend to organize your trip during weekdays, due the high traffic on both routes.

Price:
from 379.00 €
Duration:
3 days/ 2 nights
Start / End:
Horezu/Curtea de Arges
Distance:
~ 250 km total bike ride
Accommodation:
beautifully restored 3-4* manor houses or B&Bs
Activity level:
Challenging
Custom/Private
Dates:
04 Jul. 2025
26 Sep. 2025

Highlights

  • Transfagarasan and Transalpina high alpine roads
  • Sibiu old medieval city
  • Horezu ceramics center
  • Balea Lake
  • Balea Cascade
  • Villages around Sibiu
  • Vidra Lake

Day by day

Route: Novaci – Ranca – Obarsia Lotrului – Vidra Lake – Dobra – Jina – Saliste

For your first cycling day, you will cross the Carpathians from South to North, following “the King’s road” – the highest road in Romania (2075m). The starting point is Novaci, ~40 km from Horezu. Arrival in Novaci can be organized by car transfer or by bicycle, depending on your wish. The first 28 km of ascent from Novaci to Ranca resort are amazing and difficult at the same time. Following a short descent, another area of ascent to 2,075m high is next. Then, after a short but difficult descent to Vidra Lake, another 13 km climbing are following, reaching 1,750m altitude. From here, a long 50 km descent is waiting for you, passing the Transylvanian forests up to Dobra village. Before arriving in the small villages near Sibiu, a final 5 km climb is awaiting, from Dobra to Jina village. The last part of the route is following traditional villages. The King’s road finishes in Saliste village. From here you will be transferred by car, for the last 20 or 40 km, to Sibiu or in the nearby Saxon village of Cincsor.

Estimated time: 5-10 hours

Overnight in Sibiu or Cincsor village.

Included meals: breakfast, snack lunch and dinner.

Route: Cincsor/Cartisoara – Balea Cascade – Balea Lake – Vidraru Dam – Poienari Fortress

The second day will start with a 20/40 km transfer from Sibiu/Cincsor to Cartisoara village – the starting point of the Transfagarasan climb. The first 35 km of climb up to 2,000 m with an average 9% will be the the most difficult part of the day. The views are spectacular. Once arrived on top, you will have a short stop at Balea Lake for a fast lunch, before a long 60 km descending to Poienari village. Balea Cascade, Balea Lake, and Vidraru Dam are the main objectives of the day. From Poienari you will be transferred to Curtea de Arges and later on in Bucharest. Optional: accommodation and dinner in Curtea de Arges.

Climbing: 35 km on asphalt road, Downhill: 60 km asphalt road
Estimated time: 5-8 hours

Included meals: breakfast and lunch

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What si included

  • 2 nights accommodation in 4* old manor houses (differs of optional days included)
  • Meals as indicated - all Breakfasts, 2 Dinners and snacks/ picnic lunches
  • Transfer cost from Horezu area to Novaci, from Saliste to Sibiu and from Sibiu/Cincsor to Cartisoara
  • Tickets to several historical sights included in the itinerary
  • Luggage transportation and vehicle Assistance (whenever roads allow it to pass)
  • Bike rental and transport (on request)
  • Energizing bars & water supply
  • Detailed trip description and programme, GPX maps
  • English speaking accompanying bike guide (Note: German or French also possible)
  • Local Taxes
  • Complimentary branded CarpatBike merchandise

Not included

  • Airfare cost
  • Alcoholic and additional drinks or meals during the programme
  • Tips for your cycling guide (from 25 EUR/day) or at restaurants (~10% of the bill)
  • Extra charges for laundry telephone or fax charges, room service, etc.
  • Transfer costs from Bucharest to the trip start and from Curtea de Arges back to Bucharest
  • Individual travel Insurance for the trip (compulsory in order to be accepted for the tour) and Individual insurance for special activities (recommended)
  • Additional local guides, if required
  • Single room supplement
  • All the other conditions are presented in the “Terms and conditions” document

More information

Meeting and departure:

How to get there:

We suggest that you arrive at one day prior to the trip start, which will enable you to adjust to the time zone and minimize the risk of missing the trip start due to flight-related delays. We recommend that you fly into Bucharest airport. Travel time between Bucharest and Horezu is approximately 2,5 hours. On a weekday, there are 2-3 good buses per day traveling from Bucharest to Ramnicu Valcea and the ticket price ranges from 11-15 EUR/person.

For the return trip from Curtea de Arges, the best option is to organize transport with us unless you have rented a private car. Please ask tour consultant for specific details and advance bookings.
Please inform the tour company on your flight schedule to advise for appropriate transfer times for meeting and departure.

Meeting day:

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 and so on). 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 organisational matters, the first day will not include cycling or it will only include short local rides, a visit in the city and local sights.

Terrain

This tour includes national and local asphalt routes including the two high alpine roads from Romania,through pastoral landscapes and high alpine scenery. The terrain includes high elevation asphalt routes and rolling hills and is suitable for cyclists in very good physical condition, varying from 70 to 150 km per day.
On this tour, 50% is on roads with little traffic, and 50 % on roads shared with traffic.

Lodging:

We have prepared for you accommodation in beautifully restored manors and guesthouses.

Bike info

Cannondale, Trek or GT hybrid bikes bikes are available on this tour, and are included in the tour price.

Equipment provided at no charge:

  • Helmet
  • Locks
  • Repair kit
  • Water bottle
  • Pump

Other equipment is available at an additional charge:

  • GPS system
  • Cycle computer
  • Panniers and rack

Pedals/seats:

You may choose to bring your own seat, pedals, bottles and/or other accessories; we will change out seats and pedals for you.

Helmets:
While a helmet will be provided, we recommend that for safety and hygiene reasons you bring your own or plan to purchase one upon arrival.

Dates & Prices

We reward our guests with lower pricing and more dates to choose from the earlier you book.

Also, in case you want to book a tour for a particular date we are happy to prepare a customized offer for your group. Choose any of our existing tour itineraries for your own private adventure.

Book it on your chosen dates, just for your group. Prices may vary depending on group size and availability for selected dates. For groups +10 pp. additional discount apply.

Please contact us for details at home@carpatbike.ro asap.

Dates

from 04 Jul 2025 to 06 Jul 2025 - 3 days/2 nights Book now
from 26 Sep 2025 to 28 Sep 2025 - 3 days/2 nights Book now

Prices

Price EUR/person/net price Bike rental not included Bike rental included Single room supplement
from € 379 € 450 € 88
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Contact us

Address
Aleea Branduselor nr. 753, sat Ploiestiori, Prahova county - Romania
Phone
+40740166791
Email
home@carpatbike.ro

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