Guided walks on Via Transilvanica in Sibiu county, from Sighisoara to Medias

2 to 6 days of guided walking tours or bicycle riding on Via Transilvanica

Trip details

about Via Transilvanica


Via Transilvanica is a hiking route of almost 1000 kilometers starting from the north of the country, in Bucovina, crosses Transylvania and ends in the south, at the Danube, in Drobeta Turnul Severin. In Sibiu, it crosses the northern part of the county, joining Sighisoara with Medias and then continuing further on Valea Tarnavelor, as far as Alba county. The route can be crossed both on foot and by bicycle or on horseback. It is intended for all nature and hiking lovers, regardless of physical condition. In Sibiu County, Via Transilvanica has a length of almost 100 kilometers and is part of the sector called Tera Saxonum, because it crosses areas that were inhabited by Transylvanian Saxons. The route goes through dense forests, grasslands, agricultural land, country roads and charming old towns and villages.

Our walking or biking tours on Via Transilvanica

Although it is not very difficult physically, the Via Transilvanica route requires a meticulous logistical organization, related to luggage transport, translation, accommodation and meals. This is where we can help.
  • We can arrange the transport of the main luggage from one location to another so that you only pack a small backpack for one day.

  • We can organize a small lunch in the villages we pass through and book accommodation for you.

  • we can divide the route according to your physical condition and how many kilometres you want to cover in one day (usually between 15 and max 30 kilometres, with an altitude difference between 300 and 600 meters)

  • You will be accompanied by a tour guide, who will tell you the story of each place we pass and can mediate the interaction with locals, who generally do not speak. a foreign language.

  • We will also know how to avoid places where we can meet sheepdogs, which can sometimes be aggressive if we do not know how to behave with them.


    • Stages on Via Transilvanica

    Depending on your time available, you can choose to walk the entire Sibiu section or just a part of it. Below, you can find the stages we thought of, stages that can be extended or shortened, depending on how many kilometres you want to cover each day.

    Stage 1: Sighisoara - Malancrav (or Floresti)


    The first stage of Via Transilvanica in Sibiu actually starts in Mures county, in Sighisoara. It can be almost 30 kilometers and 700 meters altitude difference, if we decide to start in Sighisoara and end in Malancrav or we can choose the shorter option, only up to Floresti, 20 kilometers, with 500 meters altitude difference. In both variants, we have the possibility to visit a sheepfold, where we will be able to serve the meal.
    Accommodation in Floresti or Malancrav at one of the guest houses belonging to the Prince Charles Foundation - MET.
    Objectives to visit: Bethlen Castle in Cris, the fortified churches in Stejareni and Malancrav, the evangelical church in Cris.
    Villages traveled: Stejareni, Cris, Floresti, Malancrav
    The route goes through oak forests, meadows, dirt or asphalt roads, in villages.


    Stage 2 : Floresti (Malancrav) to Biertan (or Copsa Mare)




    On the second stage of our Via Transilvanica tour in Sibiu we will cover the distance between Malancrav to Biertan. Depending on where we have finished the previous day, this stage can have a few versions, of different lengths:

    1. Floresti - Biertan. This is the longest version, covering 25 kilometers, with 800 meters difference in altitude

    2. Floresti - Copsa Mare. 21 kilometers, 650 difference in altitude

    3. Malancrav - Biertan. 16 kilometers, 600 meters of difference in altitude

    Accommodation in Copsa Mare or Biertan at one of the private guesthouses or the ones from- MET
    Objectives to visit: Fortified Churches in Biertan and Copsa Mare
    Villages traveled: Malancrav, Nou Sasesc, Copsa Mare, Biertan
    The route goes through oak forests, meadows, dirt or asphalt roads, in villages.

    Stage 3 : Biertan (or Copsa Mare) to Richis




    This is probably the easiest stage of Via Transilvanica: : 11 kilometres with 400 meters altitude difference between Biertan to Richis. Or if we start in Copsa Mare, 15 kilometres and 550 meters of climbing.
    Accommodation in Richis: guesthouses or campsites
    Objectives to visit: Fortified Churches in Biertan and Richis, vineyards,
    Villages travelled: Biertan and Richis
    The route goes through oak, beech, acacia forests, meadows, dirt or asphalt roads, in villages.

    Stage 4 :Richis to Medias




    The last stage of our Via Transilvanica tours in Sibiu: : 20 kilometres with 450 meters altitude difference between Richis to Medias.
    Accommodation in Medias: hotels, guesthouses or apartments for rent
    Objectives to visit: Medias, the old town and the fortified church
    Villages travelled: Richis
    The route goes through oak, beech, acacia forests, meadows, dirt or asphalt roads, in Richis and Medias.

    Book this tour


Short presentation of the villages

Floresti is a small village in the heart of Transylvania, just a few kilometers from Sighisoara. It is not a tourist attraction in itself, but its charm lies in its authenticity and special natural setting. In the village, you can visit the evangelical church from the 15th century. The church that entered a process of degradation after the Saxons left the village, being recently restored by MET, Prince Charles NGO. In Floresti we can visit a sheepfold, where the owners can take us on a tour of the farm and prepare a traditional lunch with local ingredients.
Located at equal distance from Sighisoara, Agnita and Medias, Nou Roman (Neudorf) was founded by Saxon settlers in the 13th century. The Saxons left, but left behind a picturesque village, with traditional architecture that complements perfectly with the natural setting of hills and dense forests.
Malancrav appears in documents starting the 14th century, being the property of the Apafi family. Currently, Malancrav has the largest Saxon population of all the former Saxon villages of Transylvania, around 150 persons remaining in the village. The fortified church, built since the 14th century, boasts some of the most beautiful Gothic frescoes in Transylvania. Another attraction of the village is the Apafi Manor, which was restored by MET, along with some old houses in the village, which are open for tourists. In Malancrav, the tourists can visit also a weaver workshop, to learn more about this traditional handicraft.
Biertan is an adorable Saxon village, hidden in a valley somewhere in the Transylvanian plateau, on the way to Sighisoara from Sibiu. Listed in the UNESCO site, together with the imposing fortified church, Biertan is a colourful village, which kept unspoiled the traditional architecture. The main attraction is the fortified church, the former seat of the Lutheran bishop in Transylvania, a very fine example of religious architecture mixed with military elements. Biertan is on the path of a few biking and walking trails, so for the outdoor activities lovers, there are many possibilities of guided walks starting from the village.
Copsa Mare is one of the dozens hidden gems of Transylvania. Just a few kilometres from its better-known neighbour - Biertan, Copsa Mare charm consists in its authenticity. You will not find there touristic buses, guesthouses or souvenir shops. Copsa Mare is a fine example of the deep Romanian countryside, where life flows in its own pace, as it used to be centuries ago. A former Saxon village, surrounded by forests, Copsa Mare rejoices the eye of the visitor with the bucolic setting of the traditional houses and the natural Transylvanian landscape.
Richis, also a former Saxon village, has become a destination for people from all over Europe, who have been enchanted by the tranquillity the village offers. So, it can be called an international village due to the new owners who turned the old Saxon houses into cosy guesthouses or campsites for tourists. Richis is located at a short distance from Biertan, in a valley with vine-covered slopes. In fact, in Richis, there is a small vineyard, and tourists can enjoy a wine tasting from local varieties of grapes.

Duration
We will walk around 4 to 8 hours per day, including breaks.
Availability
From May to October. Some of the tracks can be done in winter as well, but we need to see exactly how the weather will be for that specific time.
Price
It depends on the number of day trips we are doing together and the number of guests. For a personalised quote, please contact us.
Link this tour with:
This can be a part of a longer trip in Romania or Transylvania. For more options, please contact us .
Tour inclusions
Guiding, transportation, and luggage transfers. We can also offer a complet package, including accomodation and meals.
Tour exclusions
Travel insurances and other travel expenses not mentioned here.
Physical activity
Moderate. You will need to walk around 10 to 25 kilometres per day, on uneven terrain, with a difference in altitude ranging from 400 to 650 meters.
Dress code
Specific for trekking. Proper trekking shoes, confortable trousers and shirts. You will need a hat and a raincoat. Walking sticks are also needed.

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