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:
Day 1: Arrival in Bucharest or another airport and ride by train approx. 2,5 - 3 hours to Brasov. Here you will be met by our partner and taken to Miklósvár, where you will stay overnight in one of several typical Transylvanian inns. These historical farmhouses combine rustic charm with modern comfort. The rooms are all stylishly furnished with antique Transylvanian farmhouse furniture. For candlelight dinner in the wine cellar you will discuss the upcoming ride together.

Day 2: After breakfast you will drive to the stable in Valea Crisului (approx. 40 minutes transfer), where you will test ride your horse on the riding ground and start the ride. First you will ride up a mountain ridge and from there you will head north to beautiful mountain pastures with a magnificent view of the Carpathian mountain range. On the way you will meet on this ride again and again herds of cows and sheep. You will ride past the villages of Kalnok and Zalan, which lie picturesquely down in the valley. On the riding days you will have your lunch in the form of a picnic at beautiful places in the middle of nature. In the afternoon you will ride through the forest down to Malnas Bai, which means "raspberry baths". Here you will be welcomed by a local hunter´s family and spend the night in a rustic and cosy private accommodation (possibly with shared bath). In former times the place was a flourishing spa with numerous mineral water springs. Today you can still taste the fresh mineral water and admire the typical Transylvanian spa architecture, even though the facilities are unfortunately no longer in use. However, in the evening you have the possibility to use the small local spa area. Riding time approx. 4-5 hours.

Day 3: We ride up northwest through deep forests to the Hatod region, where 6 villages share a common forest. You will ride on lonely, quiet forest trails, where you will often find bear tracks. Afterwards you ride down on gentle meadow paths to the "ham villages" (Batanii villages). In the pretty little village "Little Ham" (Kisbacon) you will stay overnight in a cosy inn. During dinner together you will experience the hospitality and cordiality of these people for which the village is famous. The villagers will also be happy to show you the historic water mill, which is still in operation today. Right next door you might also meet a woman who will be happy to show you her loom and weaving work. For dinner you will be invited by another villager who spares no effort to prepare you a delicious meal with local delicacies. Riding time about 5 hours.

Day 4: Your ride today will take you through the village of Herculian, through forests and fields and then up to the mountain Szep Arca ("Pretty face"). A fantastic view reveals itself to you from up here over valleys and mountains. You will then ride south and cross a valley to reach the hills south of Barót. Here you will stop and enjoy a picnic by a small lake. From here you follow the forest along the beautiful valley of the river Olt and in the afternoon you reach the manor house and stables of Miklosvar. You will be accommodated in the inns of Count Kálnoky. Visit the castle, its museum and park in the afternoon and stay in the Stone Pub for a drink in the evening. Riding time about 6 hours.

Day 5: You leave Miklósvár and ride eastwards 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 ride southeast to the village of Zalánpatak, which belongs to the large estate of a Romanian family and surrounded the glass factory there, which today belongs to the port. This serves as a private retreat for the Prince of Wales. 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 around the estate to observe wildlife as they venture out onto the meadows at sunset. Riding time is about 4-5 hours.

Day 6: After breakfast you will ride from Miklósvár to Korospatak, over gentle hills and rippling streams. This historical route was covered over centuries by the members of the Kalnoky family, as they owned manors in both villages. It is quite a challenging ride and you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the surroundings. After crossing the old village of Kálnok you can gallop for the last time and come to the ruins of the old tower of Köröspatak. After crossing a small stream you will reach the stable and have to say goodbye to your horses. In the evening you will be brought back to the pension Zalánpatak.

Day 7: Departure after breakfast or extension for a few days to relax in the idyllic village of Miklósvár.

(We reserve the right to make changes in the course of the tour and in the accommodation depending on weather conditions and local circumstances!)

Transylvania Trail, 7 days, 3 riding days
Day 1: Arrival in Bucharest or another airport and travel by train approx. 2.5 - 3 hours to Brasov. Here you will be met by our partner and taken to Miklósvár, where you will stay overnight in one of several typical Transylvanian inns. These historical farmhouses combine rustic charm with modern comfort. The rooms are all stylishly furnished with antique Transylvanian farmhouse furniture. For candlelight dinner in the wine cellar you will meet Countess Anna Kalnoky and discuss the upcoming ride.

Day 2: Explore the estate and its staff who will help you create your own Transylvanian crafts to take home. Afterwards you will have the opportunity to make the traditional "chimney cake" over the open fire with the chefs, which you will eat afterwards in a convivial atmosphere. The local blacksmith will then show you how he shapes hot iron in the old forge. The rest of the day is spent in the manor house, which has recently been restored. Discover the interiors, which reflect the lifestyle of past centuries. Enjoy a quiet cup of tea on the southern terrace, protected by towers and the old elm trees of the manor house, and discover the English garden and the beautifully landscaped pond on the property. In the evening you will meet your guide or Countess Anna Kálnoky, with whom you can discuss the choice of horses for the next few days.

Day 3: After breakfast you will drive to the stable in Valea Crisului (approx. 40 minutes transfer), where you will test ride your horse on the riding ground and start the ride. On horseback, you will gallop westwards across pastures with a magnificent view of the Carpathian Mountains. You will meet shepherds and their herds again and again and at the end of the day you will descend into a valley until you reach the picturesque village "Middle Ajta". From there you drive over the hill back to Miklósvár. Dinner and overnight stay. Riding time about 6-7 hours.

Day 4: You leave Miklósvár and ride eastwards 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 ride southeast to the village of Zalánpatak, which belongs to the large estate of a Romanian family and surrounded the glass factory there, which today belongs to the port. This serves as a private retreat for the Prince of Wales. Several traditional houses in the village have been carefully restored and you will be accommodated for the next two nights. Before dinner you can take a walk around the estate to observe wildlife as they venture out onto the meadows at sunset. Riding time is about 4-5 hours.

Day 5: After breakfast you will ride from Miklósvár to Korospatak, over gentle hills and rippling streams. This historical route has been covered by the members of the Kalnoky family for centuries, as they had a herd in both villages. It is quite a challenging ride and you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the surroundings. After crossing the old village of Kálnok you can gallop for the last time and come to the ruins of the old tower of Köröspatak. After crossing a small stream you will reach the stable and have to say goodbye to your horses. In the evening you will be brought back to the pension Zalánpatak. In the evening you have the possibility to use the small local spa area and take a refreshing bath. Riding time approx. 4 hours.

Day 6: Relax on the property, carve your own walking stick with the villagers or help with haymaking. You also have the possibility to visit the small village museum.

Day 7: Departure after breakfast or extension for a few days to relax in the idyllic village of Miklósvár.

Please note that the program may change at short notice due to weather conditions, e.g. riding through less slippery terrain after heavy rainfall. This is for your safety as well as the safety of the horses.

Accomodation
You will stay overnight in simple, small, country-typical inns and rural guesthouses or private accommodation, sometimes also in small, simple hotels. All accommodations are well run and clean. Most of the rooms have a private bath/shower/WC.

The guesthouses are often furnished with historical farmhouse furniture - each room has its own individual charm. There is no TV/radio in the rooms, but plenty of peace, relaxation and books to browse through...

 

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

Experience: You should have off-road experience and be saddle stable 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.