Carpathian Mountain Trails

Day 1

Riding: No riding.

After being collected from the airport and transferred to Gheorgheni, you will travel by 4x4 to the horse ranch, a journey of 15km. Here you will have dinner and meet your guides, who will run through a safety briefing with you and discuss the upcoming trail. You'll hopefully have time to relax in the 'hot pot' too!

Day 2 - Trial Ride

Riding: 2 hours

After a hearty breakfast you set off on a short ride to discover the area around the ranch. This allows you to get to know your horse and equipment. You'll ride through small mountain streams and pass through vast meadows in order to reach the summit of Mount Magas Buc where you stop for lunch. Ride back to the ranch and after finishing with the horses, you'll receive some short instructions on how to set up the tents on the trail. Relax into their bath barrel filled with salt water to ease any aches and pains ready for tomorrow's adventure to start.

Day 3

Riding: 3 - 4 hours

Today you set off on your adventure. The first part of the day leads you up hill, following a small path to a stream where your horses can drink and you can refill water bottles. The majority of this journey is within forest but your lunch stop is on the peak of Sipos Mountain (1,568m) which offers great views of the Harghita Mountains. Your campsite tonight will be on a plateau - you will set up your tents and cook dinner together, enjoying some stories from your day.

Day 4

Riding: 5 hours

You'll leave the plateau behind and descend until you cross the Mures river and head into the mountains of Harghita. Climb to the next peak (1,153m) to admire the spectacular view across the basin of Gheorgeni and snow covered mountains of Gorgenyi to your right. After lunch follow a winding path downhill to your camp near Ordog Lake ('Devil's Lake'). You can refresh in the cold mountain stream and visit a nearby hot spring whilst your dinner is cooking over the fire.

Day 5

Riding: 6 - 7 hours

Today is the hardest and longest day of riding as you ride up to Harghita's highest peaks - Ferto Teto (1,589m) and Madarasi Hargita (1,801m). You will explore mountain passes and flowering meadows and ride into the vast pine forest of Harghita where you may see tracks left by bears or tell-tale scratchings on the trees. You overnight in a beautiful mountain guesthouse at 1700m.

Day 6

Riding: 6 hours

Travelling via Rakosi Harghita (1756m) you will reach the village of Bad Harghita where you will stop for lunch. In the afternoon there are wide, puszta-like plains waiting for you - these are ideal for canters. Tonight you'll sleep at a wonderful campsite with numerous herds of cows and sheep dotting the mountain views.

Day 7

Riding: 6 hours

Leave your camp and ride past the peat bogs of Lucs. From there you will trot towards the Szent Imrei Budos Furdo (Saint Emeric sulphur baths) and into a vast pine forest and onto Kakukk mountain (1,557m). From here the landscape changes and pine forests give way to beech forests. Your campsite tonight is situated close to a traditional alpine hut where you will learn how the shepherd's milk their sheep and will have a chance to sample the fresh cheese.

Day 8

Riding: 6 hours

Today's ride leads you over a steep ridge from where you can enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding peaks, some reaching up to 2500m and tipped with snow. During the afternoon you'll cross the river Alt. Your guesthouse tonight is near Tusnad Furdo and you'll be able to enjoy a hot shower and heart dinner out on the terrace.

Day 9 - St Anna Lake - Non Riding Day

Riding: No riding.

Today is a rest day for the horses and a chance for you to visit St Anna Lake (Sfanta Ana), 'the Devil's Swamp' and a sulphur cave. From there you will head off in the hopes of seeing some brown bears in their natural habitat! Return to your guesthouse near Tunsnad Furdo.

Day 10

Riding: 6 hours

You'll mount your horses again after breakfast and will start your day in the saddle by riding through some small villages, situated near to Mount Budos. The area is very sulphurous and you and your nose will notice! The journey today leads you to Buffogo Moores and up into the mountains - the plateau here has vast meadows which are lovely for cantering over. You'll camp amongst the shepherds tonight, close to a beautiful spring.

Day 11

Riding: 6 hours

Set out from camp through the meadows and pastures, enjoying yet more views of the mountains which are all around you. Trails through vast pine forests lead you to your campsite close to a clear mountain stream. You'll collect firewood for the night.

Day 12

Riding: 5 - 6 hours

Today you'll ride alongside structured pastures and meadows where domesticated animals graze and hard-working people tend the land. Steep ridges and rocky cliffs surround you as you marvel at the beauty of the Csiki Basin below. Spend the night camped next to an old farm and watch the farmers bring in their hay on horse-drawn carts.

Day 13

Riding: 5 hours

Continue your ride through numerous sheep herds and across colourful meadows. A vast plateau surrounded by mystical cliffs and limestone formations with be your campground for the night.

Day 14

Riding: 7 hours

Your final day in the saddle offer some more steep mountain peaks (1700m), where you'll have to dismount and lead your horse over some tricky sections. Your reward will be an exhilarating canter across the Fehermezo Plateau. Enjoy the scenic views of the Harghita mountains before arriving back at the ranch for a farewell party with traditional music and a stuffed lamb in the oven.

Day 15

Riding: No riding.

Say farewell to your horses and depart to the airport for your flight home.

Day 1

Riding: No riding.

After being transferred from the airport to Gheorgheni, in the afternoon, you set off on a jeep along trails through the forest to the ranch (15km). You arrive in time for dinner with your guides where you will have a safety briefing and learn about the trail you are about to embark on. Overnight at the farm.

Day 2 - Kovacs Peter to Gheorgheni Valley

Riding: 5 - 6 hours

After breakfast you are allocated your horse for the trail and will be shown how to pack your belongings and help load the pack horses. Set off riding away from the ranch to Kovaks Peter and on to the Olt River spring where you stop for a break and to allow the horses to rest. You then ride a steep ascent up Soveto mountain and onto Sipos mountain where you stop for lunch at its peak (1,568m). There are great views of North Harghita from here. After lunch, descend over flowering mountain meadows into the Gheorgheni valley, where the open plains are ideal for short canters. Overnight in a comfortable mountain guesthouse.

Day 3 - Gheorgheni Valley to Szekely Varsag

Riding: 7 hours

Your longest day in the saddle awaits you. Start by taking a steep trail up to the summit of Del Hegy (1650m) where you'll occasionally have to dismount and lead your horse. You may spot some bear tracks along the way! Stop for lunch in a meadow with views of the snow-covered peaks of the Kelemen Alps (2100m). Re-mount and head towards a volcanic mountain plateau which offers a spectacular view of the village Szekely Varsag. Stop here for the night in a guesthouse which will indulge you with local specialities and a roast lamb from the oven. A barrel bath full of salt water invites you to relax your aching muscles.

Day 4 - Szekely Varsag to Bear Safari

Riding: 5 hours

In the morning you ride in the area surrounding the village of Szekely Varsag, passing fields and cultivated lands until reaching another wild mountain range. In former times, this "Road of the Salt" was an old trade route heading through this area and you will appreciated how difficult it was for the traders. Continue through thin forests to a wide open plain where shepherds are watching their flocks. You spend the night in a former riding stable which has been converted into a cozy guesthouse. After being greeted by your host Istvmm with Palinka and homemade cheese pastries you head out on a bear safari. From a safe distance you hopefully view the brown bears feeding, playing or even mating. Back at the guesthouse a hearty dinner of goulash awaits you.

Day 5 - Bear Safari - Liban

Riding: 5 hours

Say goodbye to Istvan and continue your ride to the Harghita plateau where there are opportunities for trots and canters. After passing the Zetelaki water reservoir and the Sikasszo brook you enter the southern part of the Gheorgheni Alps. Ride through dense pine forests to reach your accommodation in Liban.

Day 6 - Liban - Marosfo

Riding: 6 hours

After breakfast saddle up to return to the wilderness, riding uphill on small paths to the summit of Ostorosz from where you get breathtaking views of the Madarasi mountain range. After crossing the Maros river you reach the tranquil village of Marosfo where you overnight in a small family-run guesthouse. Their homemade apple pie is worthy of comment!

Day 7 - Putna to Kovacs Peter

Riding: 4 hours

Your final day of riding is a shorter once as head up to the summit of Mount Sipos again and follow a clear mountain stream which guides you back to Peter Kovacs and the ranch. After releasing the horses into their home pasture you can relax and discuss your adventures with your fellow travellers around the campfire whilst you cook prepares fresh trout for dinner.

Day 8

Riding: No riding.

Say farewell to your horses and guides and transfer back to the airport for your flight home.

Day 1

Riding: No riding.

Arrive in Gheorgheni in the afternoon and then transfer to the horse farm in a 4x4 vehicle. Over dinner you will learn about the week's adventures ahead of you.

Day 2

Riding: 3 hours

After breakfast you'll head to the pastures to help fetch the horses in and learn about grooming and saddling them. After being allocated your horse for the week you set off riding through dense spruce forests, over a small stream and through flowering meadows to reach a small summit after about 2 hours. Stop for lunch here before riding back via more mountain meadows rich in blooming flora.

After unsaddling the horses it's time to relax in the hot tub or beside the fire, perhaps reading a book or heading out to collect fresh herbs. In the evening, meet again for dinner.

Day 3

Riding: 4 hours

Set off riding past idyllic farms into the valley with the source of the Olt river, which is the second largest in Romania - here the horses can drink and you can refill your water bottles. From here you ride steeply uphill through primeval forests until reaching the summit at 1450m. Stop for lunch with wonderful views across the valley to Kovacs Peter before returning to the ranch for another restful evening.

Day 4

Riding: 5 hours

Follow small and intricate paths through a mystical forest, climbing uphill and crossing clear mountain streams until reaching flower meadows which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The open plains are ideal for your first canter. Todays lunch is on the summit of Sipos (1564m) by a small bench with tables. Whilst the horses graze peacefully around you take a well earned break or nap in the sun. Return to the ranch in the afternoon

Day 5

Riding: 5 hours

Set off on your overnight adventure! Start by heading uphill, across rivers and over stony mountain paths to the main ridge of the Carpathians. At the top you stop to let the horses catch their breath and you can appreciate the view around you, with steep rock formations, imposing panoramas and large gorges. Stop for lunch on a mountain meadow and then continue riding for another 1.5 hours into Hasmas national park and the beautiful White Meadow which is speckled with white limestones. Numerous shepherds and cow herders move here with their animals in the summer months and perhaps you will also encounter the semi-wild herd of Csango horses that roam the meadows. Continue riding uphill over wild paths, breaking the tree line to reach the summit of Grosslauchs (1792m) for another spectacular view. Dismount and lead your horse downhill over wide meadows and alpine pastures until reaching a stream where you can water the horses and refill your bottles (there is no running water in the hut where you spend the night). Upon arriving at your hut, you unsaddle the horses and, if you wish, you can walk up the craggy rocks to Lonely Stone before dinner. There are picturesque sunsets up here. You sleep in a shared room in bunk beds (you can pitch a tent if you prefer).
Set up camp close to a small spring (or in the nearby mountain refuge in inclement weather). Whilst dinner is simmering over the fire you can take a walk to a nearby cheese dairy to learn how cheese is traditionally made before returning to sit around the campfire.
NB. Early/late in the season, camping is replaced by a small farmhouse which has been converted into a cozy guesthouse.

Day 6

Riding: 5 hours

At dawn you visit a nearby dairy (June - September) to watch the shepherds milking by hand and learn how regional cheese is made. You'll get a first hand insight into the simple, hard and lonely life of the mountain shepherds.

After breakfast back at the hut you saddle the horses and mount up to head back to the farm. Ride back up to the summit for more spectacular views and with luck you may spot some chamois on the rocks below. The expanses of the mountain plateaus invite you to canter. Continue through mysterious spruce forests and lead your horses downhill to the valley of Balan where you re-mount. The last section of the ride is tough on the horses as you ride steeply up narrow forest paths back to the farm. After unsaddling you can recover with a hot shower before dinner.

Day 7

Riding: 3 hours

You can take it easier today after your exciting week. A later start before heading out to ride on the plateau of Pongraz, stopping at a restaurant for lunch. On the way home the sandy paths invite you to canter. Your final evening ends around the campfire where you can share your experiences and review the week.

Day 8

Riding: No riding.

After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Day 1

Riding: No riding.

On arrival at Gheorgheni you will be met and transfer by 4x4 to the ranch in the mountains. Having familiarised yourself with your surroundings, you can relax in the hot tub before your first dinner.

Day 2

Riding: 3 hours

After breakfast you head out to the meadows to fetch the horses in and prepare them for the ride. Your first ride leads to Mount Magas Bukk (1380m) from where you'll have fantastic views of the snow capped mountains and valleys all around. On your way back to the ranch you can canter through the fresh snow. After turning the horses back out into their paddocks, you warm up with some mulled wine and coffee before relaxing in the cozy cabin around the fire.

Day 3

Riding: 4 hours

Ride up to Little Sipos at 1458m. Before the ascent you stop at a small mountain farm to tasty the local cheese, then you follow romantic paths through snow covered spruce forest to the summit. After lunch you return to the farm, crossing the river Olt which is the second largest in Romania. Round off the day with another hearty dinner around the fire.

Day 4

Riding: 4 hours

Today you ride to Mount Csofronka, from where you can enjoy an impressive view over the Hargita mountains, Murder Lake and the glaciers of the Kelemen Alps (2100m). On your way back to the ranch you can canter and gallop through fresh powder snow. Warm up in the hot tub before watching the sun set with a glass of wine or beer.

Day 5

Riding: 4 hours

Ride down into the valley, past idyllic farms and through numerous mountain streams. Once you've successfully reached the valley floor you'll find a warming campfire with coffee, tea and mulled wine awaiting you in a small clearing in the forest. Return to the ranch for dinner.

Day 6

Riding: 2 hours

After breakfast with local specialities, set off on a sleigh ride to neighbouring farmers. After lunch, saddle the horses for a final time and set off on a short ride into the magical snow covered landscape. The evening invites you to sit by the fire or in the hot tub.

Day 7

Riding: 3 - 4 hours

Saddle your horses for one final ride across snow-covered meadows to reach a lookout point from where you can see the villages below. Return along a steep, adventurous path through a thicket until reaching a small path which eventually leads you back home.

Day 8

Riding: No riding.

After breakfast you are transferred back to Gheorgheni to start your journey home.