We hike through the rather original villages Magura and Pestera, situated on a plateau between the mountains Piatra Craiului and Bucegi. Due to the secluded location of these villages they still preserve traditional rural life, as it can no longer be experienced in Western Europe. People live mostly on what their sheep give, everyone has a cow in the stable and a few happy chicken in the yard.

At noon we visit a traditional farm where a transylvanian picnic awaits us.

Late afternoon we return to the villa.

Distance: 10 km approx. Duration: 5 h approx.   

In the morning we drive to Zarnesti, where we first visit the bear reserve established in 2005. Nearly 80 European brown bears have found a new home in an oak forest. All these bears were saved from imprisonment and can now live their lives in a natural environment. From the bear reserve we start a 3-hour hike over a gentle ridge to Wolkendorf village. On the hike we can see many birds, among others, this is the habitat of the Red-backed Shrike or Black-fronted Warbler, but also of Woodpeckers or the Hoopoe, as the path leads through open hills with large, solitary trees and through deciduous and coniferous forests.

In Wolkendorf we are welcomed with coffee and cake, then we explore the well restored and lovingly maintained fortified church. We drive back to the villa in our minibus.

Distance: 8 km approx.      Time: 2-3 h approx. 

For centuries, Bran Castle secured the pass road into Wallachia against invading enemies. In addition, it served as a toll station for the traders who traveled from Kronstadt towards as far as Turkey. From Magura we walk over the hills and through the forest to Bran. Nowadays, the castle is better known as the castle of the bloodthirsty Count Dracula. We will find out what this legend is all about.

We return back to the villa in the afternoon in our minivan.  Motivated hikers can of course walk back to Magura.

▲350 m ▼350 m Distance: 10 km  Duration:  4 h

Typical Romanian: with the "caruta", the horse-drawn carriage, we ride into the Burzental. There we hike uphill over flower meadows until we reach a hermitage on a ridge. In the Middle Ages Zarnesti's population withdrew here from attacks by the Mongols and Tartars, and a chapel carved into the rock has been preserved from this period.

We stop to meet the monks and enjoy their tea from self picked wild herbs.

In the valley, the horse-drawn carriages await to take us back towards Magura.

In the evening it is possible to observe wild bears from a secure high seat in the forest with a ranger (optional, extra charge 50 Euro).

▼200 m  ▲ 250 m   Distance: approx. 10 km  Duration: approx. 5h

In the morning we hike down into the valley to then go up through the Zarnesti Canyon, which was dug into the rock about 3 million years ago by water, to arrive at a summer pasture. On the way we take a rest and at tea at a hut. If the weather and physical fitness allow, we climb from the hut to the small King’s Stone (1816 m). If you do not want to climb up there, you can stay at the hut and reach the meeting point on a different route.

▼ 250 m  ▲900 m ▼900 m  Distance: 16-20 km approx. Duration: approx. 6-7h

Today we say goodbye by getting together in a closing circle. Transfer to the airport in Bucharest.