Calimani Mountain Trails, Transylvania, Romania
Programmes
• The Valley Stationary programme
• Calimani Mountain Camping Trail
• Calimani Mountain Guesthouse Trail
Reviews
“It was fantastic! The staff were friendly and helpful and the accomodation was excellent. The trip was challenging and varied, with opportunities to see Romanian culture through staying at guesthouses along the way. The horses were well trained and quiet, but there was not much choice of the type of horse you could ride. They had only one trek pony and the rest were Sport Horses. However, they are training up some more ponies. ”
Horses
Type of horses:
Mainly Romanian Sports horses and some local breeds, such as Huzuls (sturdy local ponies)
Nature of horses:
Calm, obedient horses to ride, sure-footed and good for the tough terrain.
Height of horses:
13.2hh to 16.2hh
Weight limit:
100 kg
Tack type:
Endurance or English saddles, the horses are ridden in headcollars with bits attached.
Weather
Current Conditions:
Cloudy, -13 C
Forecast:
Thu - Clouds Early/Clearing Late. High: -11 Low: -23
Fri - Sunny. High: -14 Low: -24
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
The Valley Stationary programme
2012 Prices: Price is based on double room accommodation and does not include transfers.
£97 per person, per day/night, for full board accommodation and 4 - 5 hours riding with guide and a picnic lunch.
£13 per night for single supplement.
Example weekly package: £678 per person includes seven nights accommodation with breakfast and dinner, five full day rides with guide and picnic lunches.
Not included: Airport transfers, flights or travel insurance.
Calimani Mountain Camping Trail
2012 Prices: include transfers (from stated airports), accommodation, meals on the trail and riding. Priced according to group sizes:
2 - 4: £817 per person
5 - 6: £761 per person
7 - 8: £737 per person
Single supplement: £81
If there is nobody for them to share with, because everyone else has paid the single supplement, then single travellers may have to pay the single supplement (even if they are willing to share).
Non riders are welcome and can travel in the support vehicles.
Price does not include meals on cultural extensions, alcoholic drinks, flights or travel insurance.
Calimani Mountain Guesthouse Trail
2012 prices: based on shared accommodation.
2 - 4 pax: £967 per person
5 - 6 pax: £920 per person
7 - 8 pax: £866 per person.
Single supplement: £127
In the event that there is nobody to share with, single travellers are required to pay the single supplement (even if they are willing to share).
The price includes transfers, accommodation, meals on the trail and all riding.
Price does not include meals on cultural extensions, alcoholic drinks, flights or travel insurance.
Non riders are welcome and will travel in the support van.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
Thanks to the writing of Bram Stoker, Transylvania is forever linked with the character Dracula in the public imagination and visitors often arrive with visions of forbidding castles and mysterious cloaked men. While visitors will certainly find impressive castles, there is much more than that to this beautiful region!
Transylvania's beautiful mountain scenery offers fabulous riding in an area where horses still outnumber vehicles. You will take a step back in time and witness a land rich in history, culture and wildlife. Workhorses are used daily on the many small farm holdings, ploughing the fields, pulling carts full of hay and dragging the logs from the surrounding forests. Wolves, bears, lynx, boar and deer as well as a multitude of birdlife inhabit the region. Old Roman roads and medieval trails, ruined fortresses and relics of the Habsburg era, and the areas folklore and traditional music can all be experienced during your stay.
Your hosts, Ovidiu and Catalina, started their own horse riding adventure by building a small horse breeding ranch in the heart of the Calimani mountains. Their trails are guided by professional horsemen - Relu was the first certified horse riding guide in Romania and Marius is a former member of Romania's eventing team! Sorin, a student vet, also helps to guide some trails. The geographic location of the ranch puts them in a very unique position in Transylvania. Non-riders are also welcome on the based stay or on the trails where you can travel in the support vans.
Over the past few years, they have managed to develop a strong logistic foundation, owning more than seventeen beautiful horses which have been well trained by the experienced staff. The lodge is eco-friendly, extremely comfortable and situated right next to the horse ranch and fast flowing river. For those of you who want to enjoy watching the wildlife in the forests, these trips are most recommended during springtime and early summer, when mother nature's power of revival is most impressive. The team are involved in working with environmental agencies to keep the countryside clean and are even buying land in the area and reforesting.
Depending on weather conditions and client's requirements, the horse riding trips will consist of adventurous 15 to 30 km riding distance rides on mountain paths daily, having picnics in the forest, campfire dinners and enjoying traditional meals in local homes or picturesque lodges. This beautiful riding country is complemented by the exceptionally friendly and polite people living there, one not to be missed!
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
This horse-riding centre is located in a beautiful Valley, right outside the mountain village of Lunca Bradului. The forest road takes you to the lodge, which continues up into the mountains, all the way to the hiking area of the Calimani Mountains with Pietrosul peak at 2100 m altitude.
The lodge was first built as a family holiday home, but in time, it was adapted to the guests’ needs, with en-suite bathrooms and central heating. They can accommodate lots of guests, so the based option is great for large groups and parties.
Next to the lodge are the stables where you will find the top floor with four double rooms and a conference room with a capacity of thirty five persons and room for entertaining.
There are plenty of modern bathrooms at the lodge, with large baths and hot showers. Some are so large you could work out in them. The lodge is clean, spacious and traditional in style.
Accommodation in Sighisoara is also very nice with a lovely atmosphere, the location is wonderful.
Here the guests are welcome to taste the rich and organic foods of the region, made with local products, with milk and dairy products coming from their own cows! The meals are usually based on local meat, eggs and vegetables, most of them coming from the local village. Vegetarians can be catered for as well as guests with other dietary requests.
Breakfast usually includes; eggs, cheese, cold meats, bread, butter, jam, milk, tea and coffee.
During the riding trails, food will be provided and prepared by the guide and will consist of picnics with sandwiches, biscuits and fruit and open-fire dinners.
The house-keeper is a very kind lady and a wonderful cook, there is always plenty of food on offer so no-one will go hungry here!
Activities
As well as horse riding the area is rich in culture and fascinating history. Day tours offer perfect opportunities for hikers and bikers and visits to castles and monasteries. Bucovina has a beautiful painted monasteriest. Sighisoara (Schassburg, Segesvár) has one of the best preserved Saxon citadels in Transylvania, with lovely hotels and restaurants restored in the old buildings inside the citadel. As well as culture, the diverse land offers miles of unspoilt, wild landscape, the Carpathian Mountains offers rich adventures for hikers, wild animal trekkers, bird watchers and nature enthusiasts.
The City of Sibiu is located in southern Transylvania, at aprox. 200km from the Equestrian Centre where flights are now being oporatated from London. This medieval town was recently restored as in 2007 and appointed as the European Capital of Culture. Due to these major renovations, Sibiu (Hermannstadt, Nagyszeben) now has lots to offer, including hotels, lots of charming restaurants and terraces and of course an abundance of cultural activities and attractions.
For those interested in Saxon and medieval Transylvania, we can help arrange an extra day in the city.
Biertan (Bierthalm, Berethalom) has the most important fortified churches in this region of Transylvania, surrounded by vast vines scattered on the nearby hills.
Prejmer (Tartlau, Prázsmár) is possibly one of the most impressive Saxon fortifications, it is the strongest fortified church, with a very interesting interior wall.
Transylvania's most popular castle - Bran Castle , presently known as “Dracula’s Castle” stands proudly on the top of a rock with a very dramatic and imposing look and is most definitely worth a visit.
Peles Castle is considered by most tourists as the highlight of their trip to Romania, Peles is one of the most beautiful castles in Eastern Europe. One can admire the interior with impressive rooms, each decorated and furnished to reflect a different country with exotic materials like alabaster, gilded linden wood, mother of pearl, Turkish silk etc. Apart from being built in a breath-taking landscape, in the middle of a beautiful park, Peles Castle is also the first castle in Europe to have central heating and electricity!
Bicaz Gorges, with its breath-taking views in the narrow gorges with 300 m high rock faces is the hiker's paradise, with well marked trails and magnificent views.
Carpathian Mountains is home to the largest carnivores living in Europe, the vegetation is lush and the forests roar with wild animals. Romania is home for the largest population of bear, wolf and lynx in Europe.
St. Anna Lake is the only volcanic lake in Romania, with the purest tested water in Europe! It is situated in the volcanic cone of Ciumani Mt. in the eastern Carpathians.
Further Details
Languages: English and French
Health requirements: No special health requirements
Age limit: 12 and above if accompanied by an adult and with good riding skills and a mature attitude.
Tuition: No
Included: Accommodation, meals during the riding tour, non-alcoholic drinks with meals and airport transfers from and to recommended airports (except on stationary programme when airport transfers are an additional cost).
Not included: Flights, travel insurance, meals during the sightseeing tours, alcoholic drinks, extras not mentioned and airport transfers (these are included on the trail rides but NOT on the stationary programme).
Travel Information
Transfers are included in the price for the Calimani Mountain Camping trail and the Calimani Mountain Guesthouse trail, from Cluj-Napoca airport. The best airline for UK travellers is Wizzair, where flights depart on a Friday from London Luton and return on a Sunday from Cluj.
Alternatively you can fly into Bucharest, we can help you arrange train travel or transport including sight-seeing from there. Please note you will need to allow for an overnight train journey.
If taking part in the stationary trail, transfers are not included in the price but are to be paid locally, prices are as follows:
By a small car (1 - 3 pax) from, Cluj-Napoca and Sibiu: 120 euros, each way
Small car (1 - 3 pax) from Tg. Mures: 70 euros, each way
By a van (4 - 8 pax) from, Cluj-Napoca and Sibiu: 150 euros, each way
A van (4 - 8 pax) from Tg. Mures: 90 euros, each way
These transfer prices are per car and each way.
A new low cost airline, Blueair are now operating flights from London to Sibiu:
Stansted - Sibiu until 27 March [Thu, Sun]
Luton - Sibiu from 28 March [Mon, Tue, Thu, Sun]
The City of Sibiu is located in southern Transylvania, at aprox. 200km from the Equestrian Centre.
Airport: Cluj-Napoca
Alternative Airport: Bucharest
Programmes
The Valley Stationary programme
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Visit the beautiful and tranquil location of this equestrian centre. A based stay offering several shorter routes and is designed more for short stay/long weekends and is also perfect for lovers of nature, horse riders and hiking. The schedule involves around six hours of riding per day, along star shaped trails, starting from and ending at the lodge in Lunca Bradului. You will also enjoy fresh, organic and home-made dishes cooked by the fabulous house-keeper. Nobody will go hungry on this holiday! Every day will offer you a different experience and the trails will uncover the stunning beauty of the surrounding nature, each day at a different level. On route you will have the opportunity to visit several sheepfolds, hunting observatories and the former Arpad defence line built by the Germans during World War II. There are some additional options that can be offered including visits by car to Bicaz Gorges, Lacul Rosu (Red Lake) and the Toplita monastery, which offers much historical interest. Please note this ride is suitable for single travellers and groups alike. |
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| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate to advanced |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 5 to 6 hours per day. |
| Departure dates: | Flexible. |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Calimani Mountain Camping Trail
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A stunning riding trip through the Calimani mountains combined with culture and guided site seeing tours. You will experience high mountain trails of approximately 1600m - 2000m altitude, that overlook the impressive landscape and wildlife. The ride takes place over a variety of terrain with some fairly steep climbs and descents. The Transylvanian mountains still hide one of the best preserved fauna and flora in Europe! You will meet shepherds and taste their freshly made cottage cheese and other products, you will ride in open fields with no fences or boundaries to limit you and you will find yourself overwhelmed by the welcoming attitude of the locals! This is a camping trail. Day 1: You will transfer from the Cluj-Napoca airport to the lodge. Your first night will be spent in the comfort of the beautiful Lodge in the Valley. You will enjoy a hearty, home-cooked meal (be aware, they are big, no-one will go hungry here). Day 2: After breakfast you will be welcomed to the riding centre and will receive an introduction of the riding centre, its horses and given a short history of the centre. Before setting off on the trail, the tack is checked over and the horses brushed off. The ride starts by heading down to the nearest village of Lunca Bradului, the route then continues up into the mountains of Calimani, part of the Eastern Carpathian mountains, before entering the Fintinele basin. After you picnic lunch and a break you will continue riding through meadows and finally arrive at the camping site. Overnight is spent camping in the Capatina Meadow, relaxing with an open fire dinner. Day 3: You leave in the morning after breakfast to Rastolita Valley, crossing a mixed area of forest and meadows, with great landscape looking over the Calimani and Gurghiu mountains. After a relaxing ride, enjoying the view and lunch, you descend on quite a difficult track which takes you to the Rastolita Valley. The road continues North of the Valley until you pass by the dam, through the forest and stop in the Meadow of Gura Scurtului. Again overnight is spent camping in Rastolita Valley, near the forest road. Day 4: After breakfast you set off on yet another beautiful riding day, starting with a light downhill ride into the Rastolita Valley until you reach the junction with the River Secu. You continue on a dirt road until you reach the River Scurtu. From here, the route takes you along the last valley, up to Poiana Lunga mountain Pass. At 1300m altitude, this is the highest point of this day and you will continue downhill to Lake Colibita. On the way you visit a little pond called “The Fairies’ Pond”. A relaxed night is spent in a guest house next to the tranquil setting of Lake Colibita. Day 5: After breakfast you set off through the village of Colibita then towards the Izvorul Lung Valley before reaching the Terha Pass, at 1470m altitude. From here descend along the Dorna Valley until you reach Vorova Valley. After lunch you head East and reach your next campsite. Overnight - camping by the riverside along Prislop Valley. Please note you have to dismount for ½ Km to reach the Terha Pass! Day 6: After breakfast depart from the campsite toward Tamau Peak (1862 m) to reach the beautiful rock formation called ”The Red Stones”. From here you take a short ride through the meadow where you will stop for your picnic. Following lunch the ride continues down the edge of the Calimani National Park border. Overnight - camping by the riverside, at the border of the Calimani National Park. Please note you have to dismount twice and walk by the horse. First to reach the Tamau Peak through juniper bushes and then to descend after the picnic to the border of the National Park. Day 7: Breakfast, then ride towards the Calimani Mountain, the biggest volcanic cone in Europe. Then cross a former sulphur mining site, a small mountain village, which was abandoned 15 years ago but which is undergoing an ecological process of reintegration to nature. Continue riding up to the volcanic plateau and then descend to Ilva Valley. You then ride along a forest road, back to the comfort of the lodge. Day 8: After breakfast you will leave the lodge where will be transferred to the Lipizzaner Stud Farm in Sambata. You will receive a tour of the stud before you enjoy lunch in Fagaras, an old medieval city. Your day continues to the very charming Saxon town of Sighisoara. This is a UNESCO site, with its imposing medieval citadel, overlooking the entire Tarnava Valley. Overnight in a 3* hotel in the citadel. Day 9: After breakfast you visit Sighisoara citadel before heading back to Cluj. You will stop for lunch on the way. You will arrive in Cluj around 15:30-16:00 and spend the night in hotel accommodation. There will be some free time for shopping and visiting the town. Cluj –Napoca is the cultural and economic capital of Transylvania. You will return to your accommodation for dinner. Day 10: Today is departure day where you will be wished a fond farewell. After breakfast you will have the chance to say goodbye to your hosts, guides and other guests before being taken to the airport. * ITINERARY MAY VARY DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEABLE CIRCUMSTANCES |
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| Accommodation: | Three nights spent in the beautiful setting of the lodge. During the trail you will be camping, facilities are basic although mattresses and sleeping bags are provided, no toilets, just bushes! One night spent in a hotel and one night spent in a guesthouse. |
| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate and above. Need to be able to control your horse in open spaces and comfortable in all paces. You will experience very steep terrain where you will be asked to dismount from your horse at times. |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | Six days: 4 - 6 hours per day |
| Departure dates: | 2012: 8-17 June, 22 June-1 July, 6-15 July, 3-12 August, 17-26 August. |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Calimani Mountain Guesthouse Trail
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This stunning trail starts at the tranquility of the lodge and ends in one of Transylvania's most precious gems, a Saxon fortified town called Sighisoara which is a UNESCO protected site located in the heart of Transylvania! The day-trips take riders to fascinating places, allowing them to experience beautiful, untainted Transylvanian landscapes and even taste a little bit of the Dracula myth, on the lines of Jonathan Harker (the main character in Bram Stoker's book). You will experience breathtaking views and witness the flora and fauna around you whilst riding well schooled and responsive horses. Day 1:
You will be met at Cluj Napoca airport and transferred to the centre's lodge in near Mt. Calimani. You will receive a warm welcome and an introduction of the riding centre, the lodge and a bit about its history. The first night is spent in the comfort of the lodge where you will enjoy a hearty meal. Day 2:
In the morning, after breakfast you will meet your horse and ride from the lodge to the nearby village of Lunca Bradului. You continue to the Fintinele Valley riding through a mixed landscape of meadows and forest scattered with trenches from WWII (there were battles between the Germans and the Russian Red army in this area) before finally descending to the village of Rastolita in the Mures Valley. The horses will stop here whilst you are transferred by car back to the comfort of the lodge, enjoying a tasty dinner and a relaxing night. Day 3:
After breakfast you return back to Rastolita and meet up with the horses. The ride today will start in the morning, heading to Lake Colibita, riding on an old path used by shepherds to take their flocks to the higher mountain pastures. On the way you will experience the incredible landscape and diverse terrain and arrive at the lake in the evening. Dinner and accommodation a guesthouse by the lake. Day 4:
Ride along the river which feeds the lake and then you will continue up the Terha Pass (you will be required to dismount for ½ a Km to reach the Pass on steep terrain) and along the ridge to reach Borgo Pass at the end of the day. Borgo Pass is famous from Bram Stoker's book "Dracula" being the starting point of Jonathan Harker's exciting experience in Transylvania. Tonight will be spent at the Hotel Dracula 3* which offer magnificent views of the nearby mountains. Day 5:
After breakfast you will leave the Hotel in the morning. You return to Colibita, riding on Mihai Valley, crossing meadows before reaching the Colibita lake again. You will enjoy a picnic lunch en route. Dinner and accommodation back in a guesthouse by the lake. Day 6:
After breakfast you depart back to the Lodge, passing through the National Park of Calimani Mountains. The first km will be on the same path before continuing on fresh tracks crossing Cofului meadow. You will enjoy a picnic lunch en route You reach Rastolita valley from where you are transferred by car/van back to the beautiful setting of the lodge. Diner and accommodation at the Equestrian Centre. Day 7:
Breakfast at the lodge before transferring back to Rastolita valey. You head towards Bradul creek from where we take a different path back to the lodge, crossing through Capatana meadow and reaching Ilva valley. A delicious dinner and accommodation at the Equestrian Centre. Day 8:
After breakfast, depart from the equestrian centre to the Lipizzaner Stud Farm in Sambata de Jos (lunch included) and then to the very charming Saxon town of Sighisoara. This is a UNESCO site, with its imposing medieval citadel, overlooking the entire Tarnava Valley. Overnight in a hotel in the citadel. Free time for you to arrange you evening meal. DINNER NOT INCLUDED. Day 9:
After breakfast you will roam around Sighisoara where you will receive a tour of the Citadel. You will then have some free time to shop for souvenirs. You will then receive a transfer to Cluj with a lunch stop on the way. You will receive a walking tour in Cluj and spend the night in a hotel close to the airport. Free time for you to arrange you evening meal. DINNER NOT INCLUDED. Day 10:
Today is departure day. After breakfast you will say your goodbyes, be wished a fond farewell and transfer back to the airport. Please be aware that this trip involves difficult terrain, narrow ledges and steep paths on the riding days. You will also spend very long hours in the saddle and riders should be riding fit and prepared for this. Please note: ** ITINERARY MAY VARY DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORSEEABLE CIRCUMSTANCES
*** This itinerary may operate in the reverse direction. |
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| Accommodation: | You will spend nights at the Lodge, in hotels including Dracula's castle and at a guesthouse. |
| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate and above. Need to be able to control your horse in open spaces and comfortable in all paces. You will experience very steep terrain and narrow paths and sometimes you will be asked to dismount from your horse. This trail involves long hours in the saddle so be prepared! |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | Six days riding: 4 - 8 hours per day. |
| Departure dates: | 2012: 11-20 May (fully booked), 25 May-3 June, 20-29 July, 31 August-9 September, 14-23 September, 28 September-7 October. |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |