A Walk Between an Empire and a Kingdom
Get to know one of the Transylvanian villages at a leisurely pace. Get close to the real character of the mountain villages as you enjoy a relaxing rambling day trip with beautiful scenery and a network of trails that could be rewarding to explore on foot.
Located at 1 hour drive from Brasov, it's a great place for all kinds of outdoor activities – among them walking, the activity you experience with our licensed guides.
The rolling hills afford wide views over the entire region with stunning landscapes of the mountains: Bucegi Natural Park, Piatra Craiului National Park, Postavarul Massif.
Whilst many of the villages in the area are heavily visited, it is possible to walk here and experience real authentic village life.
The walking grade is easy to moderate, in a round trip for walkers looking to explore a corner of Transylvania way off the tourist trail.
At the foothills of Piatra Craiului mountains, on the former border of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Romanian Kingdom, lies a mysterious and remote village called Ciocanu.
A village which once blossomed thanks to the trade and economic benefits of a border settlement, became almost untouched as if time stopped passing since the unification happened following the first War War. First established by three deserter Austro-Hungarian soldiers, and named the village Ciocanu, meaning Hammer, as the outline of the village is shaped like a hammer now is populated mainly by elderly living of their cattle and sheep farms.
We are inviting you to experience a walk/hike in this beautiful area to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of an authentic Romanian mountain village and take in the idyllic beauty of the landscape which doesn't stop amazing its visitors no matter of the season. Accompanied by an experienced licensed tour guide you will be introduced not only to the history and culture of the area but also to local legends and myths.
After our 10-12 km hike a well deserved lunch awaits for us at a local guesthouse, where we can taste local cheeses (sheep and cattle), pork sausages or lard, home grown vegetables or home made preserves/pickles.
3 Comments
4.8
Wandering through the remote villages nestled among the mountains was a refreshing escape from everyday life. The scenic trails offered breathtaking views, and I found myself enchanted by the authenticity of each stop along the way. While the transportation to some of the starting points felt a bit rushed, the experience itself more than made up for it, leaving me grateful for the memories made.
4.4
Exploring the scenic beauty of the Transylvanian mountains was a highlight of our business trip, especially as we wandered through the charming, authentic villages. The views from the hiking routes were breathtaking, but the tour could have benefited from a bit more information about the local culture along the way.
4.6
We had an exhilarating time hiking through charming mountain villages, where the authentic scenery far exceeded our expectations, especially when we stumbled upon that breathtaking viewpoint overlooking the valley.