Age range | 12-99 |
Country Region | Brasov, Magura, Pestera, Piatra Craiului National Park |
Difficulty | Medium |
Number of days | 1 |
Operating languages | English, Romanian |
Points of interest | Curmatura mountain hut, Zarnesti Gorges |
Tour type | Hiking, Private tour, Wildlife tracks, Winter tours |
Embark on a private one-day trekking adventure in one of Romania's most spectacular mountains. Its main ridge is celebrated as one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Carpathian range.
Discover the unspoiled beauty of Piatra Craiului National Park on this private hiking adventure in the heart of Romania’s Carpathian Mountains. A region untouched by the modern world, it offers an immersive journey through a landscape of dramatic gorges, serene forests, and rolling pastures where traditional shepherds still tend their flocks as they have for generations.
Starting from Brașov, this guided 5- to 8-hour hike takes you along one of two carefully selected routes, catering to your group’s preferences and skill level. Explore the breathtaking Zărnești Gorge, wander through alpine meadows, and/or step back in time as you pass through charming rural villages that have preserved their way of life for centuries. Along the way, learn about local traditions such as cheese-making and shepherding, key elements of the area’s cultural heritage.
To cap off your journey, savor a delicious Romanian meal at a rustic mountain hut or a welcoming village eatery. Whether you’re seeking adventure, cultural discovery, or simply a day immersed in nature, this private tour offers an unforgettable experience in one of Romania’s most spectacular national parks.
The grade of the tour is ranked T1 or T2 from Swiss Alpine Club (see please https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAC-Wanderskala), depending of the route we choose.
T1 - Hiking. Path well paved. Terrain flat or slightly sloping, no danger of falling. Doable with sneakers. Orientation without problems, even without a map.
T2 - Mountain hiking. Path with continuous route and balanced slopes. Terrain partly steep, danger of falling not excluded. Some surefootedness. Trekking shoes are recommended. Elementary orientation skills.
Did you know?
The name of the mountain came from one of the citadels built by the Hungarian Kingdom, as a custom, control and protection point, at the southern border of Transylvania, at the bottom of the mountains, at the end of XIV century. The name of the citadel in German language was Königstein.
The locals called the mountain The Stone (Piatra).
The name of the highest peak (2238 m) is called Piscul Ciobanului or Piscul Baciului - Shepherd's Peak in English language and Hirtenspitze in German language.
A century ago the Carpathians mountains represented the border between Austrian-Hungarian Empire and Valachia, the southern part of Romania. The border divided Piatra Craiului Massif exactly on the highest peak, Piscul Baciului, where was the border pillar no. 201 and a pyramide made from wood (triangulation beacon).
The Piatra Craiului Massif became a natural reserve on March 28, 1938 (Journal of the Council of Ministers No. 645), with an initial surface of only 440 ha. The Council of Ministers made this decision "due to the unique nature of the massif where there are rare species, such as Dianthus callizonus, Hesperis nivea, Minuartia transilvanica, Leontopodium alpinum, and also for the beauty of the landscape."
Rates:
178 euro for 1 person
99 euro/person for minimum 2 people
The package includes:
transportation, licensed English speaking mountain guide
Not included:
entrance fee in the National Park (10 lei - about 2 euro), lunch (about 7-10 euro)
Duration: approx. 8 h, medium, excellent view throughout the day, uphill/downhill walk: 700 m/700 m.
Highlights: Piatra Craiului National Park, Curmatura hut, Zarnesti Gorges
Guaranteed departures: all year round.
Meeting point: The History Museum Piata Sfatului Square – 8:30 AM. Our guide holds the sign "Meeting Point GUARANTEED DEPARTURES DAY TOURS”.
Important: You have to make the booking 1 day in advance until 9 PM!
Additional info
Dress warmly: Compulsory sturdy and waterproof hiking boots and clothes; warm clothes recommended
Route may be changed without notice due to weather conditions
Fact: people in these 2 villages never died because of heart attack or cancer!
Details about trekking tour:
- optimal time: June - October
- number of participants: minimum 1, maximum 8.
- transportation is made by car or minibus.
- mountain tour requires a very good physical shape, with resistance to hard effort.
- licensed mountain guide during the entire trekking tour.
- the route could be changed because of the weather conditions.
Required equipment for adventure
Important Information
Your local contact is Active Travel Day Tours on 0040728804952.
Please note: Complimentary pick-up from Brasov is offered for this tour/activity. If you require this service you must contact Active Travel Day Tours at
Locally on 0040728804952
By email at marian@activetravel.ro
at least 24 Day(s) prior to your tour/activity date to verify your pick-up time and pick-up location. If you are not arriving within the specified timeframe, please contact Active Travel Day Tours prior to your travels, or immediately upon arrival at your destination.
Please be ready at least 10 minutes prior to departure time.
Is this hike too difficult for me?
Not at all! We understand that everyone has different fitness levels. The hike is moderate, with some steep sections, but we offer two routes (T1 and T2) to suit your comfort and ability.
What if the weather is bad on the day of my hike?
We completely understand that weather can be unpredictable. If the conditions aren’t ideal, we’ll adjust the route to ensure your safety and comfort. Your well-being is our top priority!
Do I need to book in advance?
To ensure we can accommodate you, we kindly ask that you book by 9 PM the day before your hike. We want to make sure you have the best experience possible.
Is this tour worth the price?
Absolutely! We believe you’ll find great value in our private guided hike, which includes transportation, local insights, and the chance to explore one of Romania's stunning national parks.
What should I wear for the hike?
To keep you comfortable, we recommend sturdy, waterproof hiking boots and dressing in layers. Mountain weather can be unpredictable, so packing wisely is important!
I’m traveling solo or with a small group. Will I still enjoy the hike?
Yes! Our private tours are tailored just for you. We recognize that everyone has a different pace, especially in a small group. We adjust our speed to accommodate those who need extra time or breaks, ensuring that everyone can stay together and enjoy the experience.
Does the tour include food?
While meals aren’t included, we’ll take a lovely break at a cozy mountain hut or village eatery where you can savor some delicious traditional Romanian dishes.
I’m not an experienced hiker. Can I still join?
Of course! We’re here to support you. Our team will adjust the route to suit your fitness level and abilities, ensuring you have a fulfilling experience.
What happens if there’s an emergency?
Your safety is our utmost priority. Our guide is trained to handle emergencies, so you can feel secure knowing that you’re in good hands throughout your adventure.
What if I still have questions?
We completely understand that you might have some concerns, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us anytime:
Simply call us or send us a WhatsApp message at +40 728 804 952.
By email: Feel free to send your questions to marian@activetravel.ro.
Your comfort and satisfaction are really important to us. We’re more than happy to provide any additional information or clarify any uncertainties you may have. We want you to feel confident and excited about joining our tour!
Difficulty |
Average high |
Average kilometer/day |
Map of visited POI's:
View routeChelsea
30.aug.2024
Incredible Hiking Experience
Frauke
29.aug.2024
Great experience, best guide
Landscape is just impressive no matter if sunny or rainy. And Andrei, the guide, was full of knowledge about history, nature and local info. Planning was perfectly easy and I felt in very good hands all the way long!Karry
08.aug.2024
Perfect day
Today we did a hiking Tour in piatra craiului.Elena
25.jun.2024
Great experience
We are a couple and we had a private hiking tour under the Shepherd’s peak. The views were amazing! Our guide was very experienced giving us info for the area as well as hiking tips! I recommend adventure tours! The service was great from the start when organising the tour, communication with them and guiding!Tudor
21.jun.2024
Piatra Craiului
Absolutely recommend Active Travel. The guide and the overall service were irreproachable!Diana R
27.apr.2024
Safe and enjoyable tour
Lovely guide, very knowledgeable of the best views, and of course safety protocols while on the mountain. We found the folklore tales very enjoyable. Nature has a way of healing and I would 1000% recommend this tour!Lauren
18.apr.2024
Beautiful view amazing guide
I booked this tour last minute after another amazing tour with the same company. The guide Mihai took into account my fitness level and we did a lot of miles and even some climbing/ scrambling. He encouraged me the whole way, patient, and so knowledgeable about all the flora & fauna. This is an experience not to be missed! Thank you so much Mihai and Marian.Hannah
09.oct.2023
Stunning mountain hike
Our guide was Mihai who was a brilliant mountain guide. My partner had sprained his ankle a few days before and wasn't as mobile as normal but Mihai adapted the route for us with no problems and we still covered lots of ground (almost 15km which isn't bad on a sprained ankle!) and the views were stunning. Mihai gave us lots of information about the local wildlife and ways of life as we went around, but with a really nice balance of quiet to take in the beautiful scenery.Sherry
17.oct.2023
Stunning views
My friend and I really enjoyed this experience and it was the highlight of our trip in Romania. Isti was really great! He told us lots of interesting facts about the history of Romania and ensured we were happy the whole way through the hike. He carried our coats and water bottles which was really kind of him. He targeted the walk at our level which we appreciated. He also stopped by Bran castle so we could take photos. We would definitely recommend to others interested in booking this trip!Jaffa
06.nov.2023
The land, the people, the place.
The hike is a great way to stay within your ability level and still see and experience some amazing scenery. Our guide was so knowledgeable and generous it was value add on value add. Not only a great way to appreciate the natural environment, but also the history and culture of a unique people and their country.