Transylvania

After breakfast we will get to know our horses, saddle up and ride out towards our adventure! We have 29 kilometres ahead of us, which will take about six hours. The trail leads through the Carpathian foothills and picturesque valleys to the Olt river plain. We will pass several villages, with some good spots for pleasant canters on the way. Next we will cross the river and reach the village of Hălmeag on the other side. There we will finish our ride for that day and enjoy the hospitality of local families.

Once we finish breakfast we saddle up and ride out, with around 26 kilometres and just over 5 hours in the saddle ahead of us. From Hălmeag we will ride along the Olt river to the village of Șona, where we will plunge between the hills of Transylvania. From the route along the ridges of the hills we will enjoy a beautifu view of the Făgăraș Mountains. In the afternoon we will arrive in Cobor, an old Hungarian village located in the midst of areas traditionally settled by the Saxons. Our hosts have been running a remarkable project there, aimed at protecting and restoring a nearly abandone village and its houses. They also run an an organic farm on site, with a strong focus on biodiversity. We will stay in Cobor for two nights.

On this day we will ride to explore the Cobor area, which will take us about 6 hours. There region is home to multiple specie of birds, including bee-eaters, hoopoes, european stonechats, great grey shrikes and lesser spotted eagles. If the weather is good and the ground is dry we will use the opportunity and gallop fast along local paths and dirt roads. In the late afternoon we will return to the farm, rest in the old stables or in a very interesting, underground cellar ”bar”. We stay in Cobor for a second night.

Today we are heading to Viscri, the most famous Saxon village in Transylvania. The trail this day is 38 kilometres long and will take us about 7 hours. The village of Viscri was founded in the 12th century and since 1999, together with six other villages, it’s been place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The village has been largely restored to its original form, together with its biggest landmark and attraction, a beautifully preserved fortified church. We will spend the night in old farm buildings converted into small guest houses, where you can enjoy traditional Saxon cuisine. In the evening we will also have a bit of time for a walk in the countryside.

After breakfast we will visit the fortified church, which offers a nice view of the village and the surrounding area. Before saddling up we will have lunch and then mount up and ride. Today we have a short and fairly fast route ahead of us: 22 kilometres in 3-3.5 hours. We will cross scenic hills and emerge from the forest into a meadow near the village of Jibert, where a wooden lodge – our place for tonight – is located. In the evening we will have a delicious dinner and enjoy peaceful and quiet atmosphere of the Transylvanian countryside.

This is the last day of our ride in Transylvania. We have about 34 kilometres and 6 hours in the saddle ahead of us. The trail today allows for a solid doese of cantering and galloping through hills and forests. Along the way we will pass picturesque oak pastures before returning to the Olt river valley and descending from the hills into the Hălmeag area. There we will dismount and our horses will return comfortably to their stables by car. Before going back Șinca Nouă ourselves by a minibus will have a snack and a few moments to rest. Upon returning we can refresh and get ready for our last, farewell dinner in Transylvania.

It’s time to leave beautiful Transylvania. After breakfast a minibus will take all riders to the airport in Bucharest.