Lens on Transylvania: A Bikepacking Photo Journey

Start your ride with a climb out of Cund and open views over rolling landscapes. Feel the road unfold beneath you and the rhythm of the day take over.

Pass through quiet villages and reach Dumbrăveni, where the Armenian Catholic Cathedral rises unexpectedly from the landscape. Continue toward history-filled countryside.

Stop at Bethlen Castle in Criș and explore the Apafi Manor and UNESCO-listed fortified church in Malancrav. Meet local artisans and discover traditional crafts.

Arrive in Malancrav by late afternoon. Watch water buffalo return home, then unwind in a local guesthouse surrounded by Saxon heritage.

• Total cycling distance: 35 km gravel, 26 km asphalt road with low traffic
• Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
• Overnight in Malancrav

Leave Malancrav in the morning light and follow gentle roads toward Biertan. Let the landscape open slowly, revealing hills, orchards, and quiet villages.

Arrive at Biertan, home to one of Transylvania’s most important fortified churches. Step inside this UNESCO landmark and pause here for lunch and exploration.

Continue deeper into the Transylvanian wilderness. Ride through forests, open pastures, and shepherd paths, where time seems to slow down completely.

Reach Stejărișu by the evening and settle into the old parish house. Rest near the fortified church and enjoy the silence of the village night.

• Total bike distance: 55 km, out of which 36 km on gravel roads and 19 km on asphalt road
• Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
• Overnight in Stejărișu

Start the morning with a 16 km ride into a hidden landscape known as the “100 Hills.” Roll through soft, green curves and quiet villages shaped by time.

Arrive in a protected natural area where a small German community cares for the local church. Pause, breathe, and capture the beauty of this peaceful place.

Continue for 35 km to Cobor, passing open countryside and gravel roads. Stop at an ecological farm and enjoy a simple, fresh lunch close to nature.

In the afternoon, ride the final stretch to Viscri, a UNESCO village full of living tradition. Explore the fortified church and settle into a local guesthouse for the night.

• Total bike distance: ~79 km, out of which 37 km on gravel
• Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Overnight in Viscri

Follow a section of the legendary Via Transilvanica trail, crossing one of Romania’s most iconic long-distance routes. Ride through open landscapes shaped by centuries.

Pass the centennial oak reserve near Sighișoara and feel the presence of ancient nature all around you. The road leads you deeper into quiet Transylvanian wilderness.

Stop for a picnic lunch along the way, surrounded by forests and rolling hills. Small villages like Prod appear and disappear as you ride.

In the afternoon, arrive back in Cund where your journey began. Celebrate the adventure with a farewell dinner and your final evening together.