Untouched nature, culture, tradition and originality, stories and legends, wilderness and adventure - come with us on a discovery tour in one of the most fascinating landscapes in Europe - Transylvania! Beautiful Carpathians, enchanted forests, Drakula´s secret - all this awaits you on this riding tour. Our partner has many years of experience and guarantees an exceptionally good quality and organization for Romania, so that the riding tour will be a successful holiday for you! On this horseback riding tour through Transylvania you will get to know the country and its people, as your hosts will also put you in contact with some of the villagers. The people here are mostly Hungarians, as this originally Hungarian region was occupied by Romania at that time. Besides many cultural impressions you will also get to know the people of the area, their way of life and their hospitality. Your guide will tell you a lot about the country, its people, traditions, culture, flora and fauna of the Carpathians. On the way and with your meals you will try the regional specialities, of course almost everything from our own organic production - let yourself be spoilt by the good food!
You will spend about 3-6 hours a day in the saddle and experience varied landscapes: wild mountains, gentle hills and deep forests... The villages are situated at 450-600 m, the mountains reach altitudes of 700-900 m. The region is called "Erdovidek", which means "forest land". Here you will feel like you have been transported back in time!

Itinerary

Transylvania Trail, 7 days, 5 riding days:

1st Day: Arrival in Bucharest or at another airport and travel by train for about 2.5 - 3 hours to Brasov. Here you will be met by our partner and taken to Miklósvár, where you will stay in one of several typical Transylvanian guesthouses. A number of the village's traditional houses have been carefully restored to retain their original Transylvanian charm and character, and accommodation is provided in these guest houses. The cottages are set in spacious gardens, with storks nesting on the nearby roofs. Take a look at the guest houses here. Meet your guide or Countess Anna Kálnoky to talk about the horses you will be riding during the tour.
Day 2: Transfer to the riding center, 40 minutes by car. The ride starts slowly along a ridge, where you will ride on high pastures with magnificent views as far as the High Carpathians to the north. You will leave the villages down in the valley, meet shepherds and their flocks in the pastures, and at the end of the day you will descend through the forest, where the riders will spend the night as guests of a local hunting family (the toilets may have to be shared). Once a flourishing spa resort with many mineral water springs, this village has the typical wooden spa house architecture from the turn of the century in Transylvania, albeit in a rather shaky state today. Riding distance and time: 21 km, 4-5 hours.
Day 3: You will ascend again into the deep forests and ride along a quiet forest path where bear tracks can often be found. After riding around an extinct volcano, you will descend on gentle grassy slopes to the Batanii villages to reach the accommodation in village houses, where you will have dinner with a local family. The villagers are particularly hospitable and, before dinner, they will be proud to show you their still-functioning water mill and their traditional looms. Riding distance and time: 22 km, 5 hours.
Day 4: You will ride northwest through forests and hayfields to climb a hill on the southern slope of the Hargita Mountains. From here you have a wide view of the distant Barót and the Olt Valley. You will descend south and cross a valley to reach the hills south of Barót, where you will have a picnic by a small lake. It is the result of a collapsed mine and is located in an old mining settlement, which is now mainly inhabited by Gypsies. From here you follow the lower edge of the forest along the beautiful valley of the river Olt and reach Miklosvars manor house and stables in the afternoon. You will be staying at the inns of Count Kálnoky. In the afternoon, you will visit the castle, its museum and park, and in the evening you can have a drink before dinner at the Stone Pub. Riding distance and time: 25 km, 6 hours.
5th day: You leave Miklósvár and ride in an easterly direction through forests and pastures and then through some villages to reach the ridge above the Zalánpatak valley. Enjoy the magnificent views of the distant Carpathian Mountains. You will then descend southeast to the village of Zalánpatak, which used to belong to the Kálnoky family as a glass factory and is now the private retreat of King Charles. Several traditional houses in the village have been carefully restored, where you will be accommodated for the next two nights. Before dinner, you can take a walk on the estate to observe the wildlife that ventures out onto the meadows at sunset. Riding time and distance: 21 km, 4-5 hours.
Day 6: From Zalánpatak, return to Kőröspatak over the hills and streams. This journey was very frequent for many generations of the Kálnoky family, who often had to travel back and forth between the two villages. It is a moderately difficult ride through spectacular surroundings, with wonderful views from the high pastures. After crossing the old village of Kálnok, the last gallop will reach the ruins of the old tower above Kőröspatak. Before reaching the stables, you will dip your horse's legs in the small stream that crosses the village. You will be taken back to the guest house in Zalánpatak for the evening. Riding distance and time: 19 km, 4 hours.
7th day: Departure after breakfast or an extension of a few days to relax in the idyllic village of Miklósvár.
(We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary and accommodation depending on the weather and local conditions!)

Accomodation
Two nights are spent in the castle of the host family. There are 5 guest rooms available. If these are occupied, accommodation is provided in a guest house. Two further nights are spent at the King Charles Private Retreat, an idyllic country estate offering plenty of comfort and charm. Both accommodations also offer guests a Jacuzzi.

Otherwise, you will stay in typical local guesthouses, sometimes also in small hotels. All accommodation is well run and clean. Most rooms have a private bathroom.
The guesthouses are often furnished with historical farmhouse furniture – each room has its own individual charm. There are no TV/radio in the rooms, but instead plenty of peace, relaxation and books to browse through.

You will get to try the regional specialties while you are out and about and at mealtimes. Almost all of them are from our own organic production – let yourself be pampered by the fine cuisine!

 

Saddle & Tack: English saddles and local trail riding saddles, some stock saddles (similar to military saddles).

Experience: You should have trail experience and be comfortable in all 3 gaits. You ride daily for about 3-6 hours in demanding terrain. Due to the terrain it is possible that the horses will be led. Maximum rider weight 90kg.

Horses: Robust, sure-footed, well-trained horses for the demanding terrain, including Hutsuls, Shagya Arabians, Arabians, Arabian mix, Lipizzaners and Semigreu. The Hutsuls are a historical breed in this region, descended from the Tarpan horse. Unique in the Carpathians, they are intelligent, strong and enduring. The Semigreu are a cross between Lipizzaners and Ardennes, friendly, good-natured, reliable and weight-bearing. The horses are on average between 1.40m and 1.60m tall. They are sociable, sure-footed, good to ride, fit and trained for the tours.