Via Transilvanica by Bike: Journey Through Bucovina and the Highlands

• Bike the Legendary Via Transilvanica – A 6-Day Adventure!
• Pedal through history – Ride across Bucovina, Tara Dornelor, and Transylvania, along charming rural landscapes
• Breathtaking scenery – Cycle past rolling hills, thick forests, Colibita Lake, and the majestic Rodnei Mountains
• Authentic experiences – Meet local artisans, ride through villages where time stands still, and witness age-old traditions
• Gastronomic delights – Savor traditional Romanian cuisine, from hearty mountain dishes to farm-to-table specialties
• The road that unites – Follow the sculpted stone markers of Via Transilvanica, each telling a story of Romania’s diverse heritage

Romania, a land of idyllic landscapes, charming villages, and a rich history, offers travelers a chance to explore its cultural and natural treasures. Among its many highlights is the Via Transilvanica, a 1,400-km (870-mile) trail that has earned a spot on National Geographic’s list of the 25 Best Places to Visit in 2025. This long-distance trail, often compared to iconic routes like El Camino or the Appalachian Trail, winds through Romania’s diverse regions, connecting time-warped villages, ancient forests, and 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Known as “the road that unites,” Via Transilvanica is a journey through Romania’s natural beauty and two millennia of cultural heritage.

This journey is perfect for adventure-seekers, nature lovers, and cultural explorers. Whether you’re a pro on two wheels or just here for the final winery visit and scenery, one thing’s for sure-you’ll leave with epic stories and sore legs (the good kind)!

Starting in Bucovina, the official trail begins at Putna Monastery, the resting place of Saint Stephen the Great. This region, nestled between Transylvania and Moldova, is a bridge between history and nature. This stretch of Via Transilvanica showcases Romania’s natural diversity—mountainous terrain, lowland forests, and vast fields—while revealing a cultural tapestry shaped by centuries of ethnic diversity. It’s a journey that challenges and rewards, offering a deep connection to the land and its people.

Our biking adventure will take us through parts of Bucovina, a region famed for its painted monasteries and rolling hills, before heading into Transylvania, ending in the Bistrita area. Along the way, we’ll experience the trail’s unique identity, marked by over 1,400 sculpted andesite stone bollards—each a work of art—and immerse ourselves in the authentic rural life of Romania, where traditions like horse-drawn carts and hay-gathering are still part of daily life. The trail winds through the Dornelor Country, surrounded by the Giumalau, Suhard, and Calimani mountains, before entering the Highlands region near the Rodnei Mountains. This diverse landscape, from rugged hills to vast fields, reflects centuries of cultural and ethnic diversity, offering a truly immersive experience.