Be a pioneer of Via Transilvanica

There are so many ways to visit one country. One can travel by car, by bus or by plane, and why not even on foot. There are many famous itineraries by foot like El Camino in Spain or the pilgrimage to Jerusalem or Rome. For those of you more adventurous, you can be a pioneer of Via Transilvanica, an itinerary that will give you an opportunity to discover Romania by foot.

The concept

As you may know, the year 2018 is an important one for Romania. This year, the Romanians are celebrating 100 years since the Great Union, so the centenary of Romania’s existence. The situation is not different from other European countries. It took centuries before the nation was born and all the territories were united. In the case of Romania, one attempt took place in 1600, when some of the territories were united for a short period. The final unification, an event called the Great Union took place in the year 1918 in Alba Iulia, in its Alba Carolina Citadel, when all the Romanian territories were integrated into one country.

What a better way to celebrate this event than by creating an itinerary for the tourists to be taken by foot. It is a journey that will take you from one corner of Romania to another. "The road that unites" is 950 kilometers long - from the Bridge of Traian in southern Romania to the Putna Monastery in northern Romania. The Via Transilvanica is divided into seven trails: Cerna, Terra Daco Romana, Mureș Valley, Terra Saxonia, Terra Siculorum, Călimani and Bucovina, which together form the Via Transilvanica, from the south to the north of Transylvania.

Trajan's Bridge over the Danube

Trajan's Bridge, Str. Independentei 2, Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Romania

Putna Monastery

Strada Principală 201, Putna 727455, Romania

Călimani Trail

In the year of the centenary (2018),  the first 142 kilometers were already marked, and the first trail - Călimani is already available for all nature lovers. Călimani is the longest trail of the Via Transilvanica, and one should start at Sovata and Bear Lake. If you accept this challenge, you must cross the Mureș Hills to Reghin heading to the village of Șieu. From here, one should climb the Călimani Mountains through the Bistrița Valley in order to reach your final destination – the Tihuța Pass.  

Bear Lake

Ursu, Sovata 545500, Romania

Șieu village

Șieu 427290, Romania

Tihuța Pass, Piatra Fântânelei

Tihuța Pass, Romania

Not only can you stop at any point to admire the nature, but one can also get to know the mountains better and learn that, despite the harshness of the area, the locals have adapted perfectly and live happily in this mountainous area. 

If you enjoy nature and are eager to try new itineraries, be a pioneer of Via Transilvanica, and explore the amazing landscapes Romania has to offer. This journey is one of a self-discovery as it takes a long time to cross Transilvania on foot, so be sure to pack accordingly, and don’t forget that such a journey is best enjoyed with friends.