Field trips

The field trips organised during EUROPARC 2008 highlight important natural and cultural features as well as associated management practices in Romania. The following types of excursions are available: 11 hiking, 2 by bike and 5 by coach. The excursions are divided into groups A, B, C, D, E and F depending on the area that they will be focusing on. Choose the trip you want to participate in on your registration form.

All excursions will be accompanied by guides who are familiar with the area and will be in English. For all excursions proper hiking boots and warm waterproof clothing are necessary. The degree of difficulty is classified as level 1 (easy) to 5 (strenuous). Please see recommended equipment for the field trips.

These trips will be focused around the Piatra Craiului National Park, located in the southern Carpathians. The park was established in 1990 and has a total surface of 14,773 ha. Well known in Romania and abroad, Piatra Craiului is a superlative mountain (the longest and the highest limestone ridge in Romania) offering visitors spectacular relief, unique species of flora and fauna, rare carnivores and quaint mountain villages with a traditional way of life.

This trip combines hiking, wildlife, shepherding and history in the amazing scenery of Piatra Craiului National Park. Participants choosing this trip will be taken by horse-drawn cart, the environmentally-friendly method of transportation still used by locals in the mountains, to the former field station of the Carpathian Large Carnivore Project. From here you will hike towards Coltii Chiliei, up to a shrine from the 1300s. A closer look at the wildlife of the mountains will be taken on the way. The hike continues to Birsa Valley, where you will be picked up by the bus and driven to the small city of Rasnov, with its 13th Century citadel. The trip will take approximately 5 hours and has an altitude difference of +-250m.

This trip involves hiking and wildlife observation along the beautiful Birsa Valley. Participants will meet individuals from the national park administration and two semi-tame wolves that were part of the former Carpathian Large Carnivore Project. The hike will continue to Barsa Fierului and up Pleasa Hill through pleasant mixed forest. The participants will be led through a very picturesque cultural landscape and will gain an insight into how the wildlife and local people interact. The end of the walk winds slowly downhill until Zarnesti, where the bus will pick up the group and drive them to the small city of Rasnov. The trip will take approximately 5-6 hours and has an altitude difference of +-250m.

A rocky road will lead the group through the spectacular "Zarnesti Gorge - Prapastiile Zarnestiului", a deep and narrow limestone canyon formed by the collapse of a cave roof. Here many birds, such as Wallcreepers, Alpine swifts, Crag martins, Grey wagtails, Dippers and Buzzards can be seen. Norway spruce forest, alpine pastures, the distant mountains, herds of sheep and shepherd summer camps will reveal the true nature of the Carpathians to participants. At lunch traditional food will be sampled at a shepherds camp. Walking slowly down hill participants will enjoy the outstanding scenery around the villages of Pestera and Magura before being picked up by the bus and driven to Rasnov. The trip will take approximately 7 hours and has an altitude difference of +-530m.

This excursion explores the east and north-east of Piatra Craiului National Park. From the impressive "Zarnesti Gorge", a small river valley will lead us through beech and spruce forest to Curmatura Hut (1470m). After a lunch break the trek continues up to Crapatura Saddle, where a scenic view of the area between Piatra Craiului and the Bucegi mountains (also a protected area) awaits the group. Afterwards the route continues downhill, following the narrow Crapatura Valley and crossing agricultural fields at the bottom of the Piatra Craiului. The trip will take approximately 6-7 hours and has an altitude difference of +-850m.

Piatra Craiului National Park is one of the last remaining true wilderness areas in Romania. For centuries the locals in their small mountain villages have existed in harmony with a rich variety of rare wildlife, among them wolves, bears and lynx. This excursion will take participants through villages (with a coffee break at a local guesthouse), hay meadows and forests. They will also have the opportunity to meet the locals. The trip includes a visit to Bran Castle, also known as "Dracula's Castle", and Rasnov city at the end. The trip will take approximately 4-5 hours and has an altitude difference of +-600m.

The Piatra Craiului mountains form a north-south, narrow, saw-like ridge, which is about 25 km long. The ridge is regarded as one of the most beautiful sights in the Carpathians. This route starts from Raul Mare valley and then climbs up through forest and alpine meadows to the most north-easterly point of the ridge: Turnu Peak (1980m). Here participants will pause to take in some of the best Romanian scenery. The path then continues along a narrow ridge to Closed Valley saddle. From here it climbs slowly down, following a scrambled path through the "west wall of Piatra Craiului". At the end of the hike the bus will pick up the group from Birsa Valley and drive to Rasnov for dinner. The trip will take approximately 7-8 hours and has an altitude difference of +-1250m.

This trip will reveal the region's beautiful nature and interesting traditions to participants in the surroundings of the Piatra Craiului, Leaota and Bucgi mountains. Participants on this trip will mountain bike through the Zarnesti Gorge, alpine meadows, spruce forest, visit remote and busy villages, will meet local people and discover the tradition of the Bran region. A visit to Bran Castle and the Countryside Museum will end the trip. The trip will take approximately 6 hours and has an altitude difference of +-830m.

The Bucegi mountains, Romanias best kept secret, cover the central part of Romania and are famous for their spectacular landscape and the accessibility of their routes. Well known for hiking, winter sports and alpinism, these mountains are high compact blocks, edged by steep slopes that dominate the Prahova Valley, a popular area for mountain resorts. The mountains are partially covered by a nature park.

The group on this trip will take the cable car from Busteni to Babele Hut, where interesting rock formations, such as 'the Old Ladies' or 'the Sphinx', can be observed. The trekking route starts from here with a gentle climb up to the highest point of Bucegi, the Omu Peak (2507m), and then over Bucsoiu Peak. Both peaks boast stunning views. From here the group will descend slowly and then climb again, following an alpine path on the "Bucsoiu North Face", up to the Malaiesti Mountain Hut. The hike finishes at Glajarie valley, where participants will be picked up by the bus and driven to Rasnov for dinner. The trip will take approximately 8 hours and has an altitude difference of +-1100m.

The Postavarul Mountains (Keresztény-havas or Schuler) are part of the Barsei mountain range in the eastern Carpathians. The highest peak is Cristianu Mare, also known as Postavaru (1799 m). This area is famous for its ski resorts. In the winter there are 10 ski slops over 12 km.

This tour perfectly combines nature, history and culture. It involves gentle walking through mixed forest to the Prima Scoala Romaneasca - The First Romanian School. This is more than just a school, being rather a cultural centre and the place where the first culture books in Romanian were printed, where the first chronicle with a Romanian subject was written and where the first Romanian grammar book was conceived. Participants on this excursion will also explore the city of Brasov, including its famous “black church”, in more detail. At the end the group will be picked up by bus and taken to Rasnov. The trip will take approximately 6 hours and has an altitude difference of +-300m.

Participants in this excursion will start by taking the cable car to the Cristianul Mare peak, which boasts superb views of the surrounding mountains and forest scenery. From the peak the group will walk down to Brasov on a good cart track. The track joins Postavaru and the Tampa Mountains and in doing so crosses the "bears land". Scenic views of Brasov county are plentiful on this walk. At the end the group will be picked up by bus and taken to Rasnov. The trip will take approximately 6 hours and has an altitude difference of +-700m.

The region around Brasov, known as Barsei County, is an important well know tourist destination because of its spectacular mountain landscapes and cultural/historical heritage. Saxon villages, built by the Saxon population of Romania, are well preserved here. Some are even designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Sighisoara-Tarnava Mare pSCI boasts one of the best preserved semi-natural, mid-altitude traditional farmed landscapes in Europe. Centuries of extensive farming practices are now reflected in the very rich flora and fauna of the area.

This group will discover Brasov city's old fortifications; visit Orthodox and Lutheran churches, including the massive "Black Church" that dominates Brasov (the largest Gothic cathedral east of Vienna); and explore Bran Castle, the former palace of Queen Marie of Romania, which has mythically links to “The Impaler”, Vlad Tepes, on whom the figure "Dracula" was based. The tour will end with stunning panoramic mountain views from the fascinating Saxon hilltop citadel in Rasnov. The trip will take approximately 6 hours

Participants will visit some of the fortified churches built by theTransylvanian Saxons, who brought the architecture here in the 12th century from the Rhine-Moselle region. Some listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Another highlight is a visit to a workshop by the Swiss Foundation for the Reconstruction of Historical Organs. Lunch will be in a parish house in the village of Vulcan. At the end of the day the group will be taken to Rasnov. The trip will take approximately 6 hours.

This tour will start with a visit to one of the largest and most impressively fortified churches in Transylvania. The Saxon church of Prejmer is an excellent example of Saxon architecture in Transylvania. Saxon settlers fortified their village churches to protect themselves against frequent raids from the Tartars and Turks during the Middle Ages. In the afternoon participants will be taken across the Carpathians to Valahia, to visit the magnificent Royal Palace 'Peles Castle' in the picturesque Prahova Valley. At the end the group will be taken to Rasnov. The trip will take approximately 7 hours.

Those taking part in this trip will visit several Saxon villages situated between Tarnava Mare and the Olt River. The tour will also give participants the opportunity to discover the most beautiful living citadel in all Europe, the Sighisoara. Its picturesque streets, houses, bastions, towers and churches never fail to fascinate visitors. At the end of the day the group will be taken to Rasnov. The trip will take approximately 9 hours.

The German-Saxon land is without a doubt the most romantic and picturesque part of Transylvania. It boasts untouched ancient landscape, stunning villages that have not changed for hundreds of years and imposing and well preserved fortified churches. Participants will discover more about local nature, culture and traditions, whilst walking through forest and hay-fields and visiting the charming villages of Viscri and Saschiz. At the end of the trip the group will be taken to Rasnov. The trip will take approximately 9 hours and has an altitude difference of +- 100m.

On this excursion participants will spend a day crossing Saxon Transylvania, from Tarnava to the Olt River, by bike. The German-Saxons settled in the south-eastern part of Transylvania and built dozens of stunning villages, which survive almost entirely untouched to this day. These villages are surrounded, in the most cases, by ancient rural landscape. One of the highlights of this trip is the fortified Saxon church of Viscri (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). At the end of the day the group will be picked up and taken to Rasnov. The trip will take approximately 9 hours and has an altitude difference of +- 300m.

This trip is a coach tour, which stops at important grassland sites in the region. The tour will be guided by Dr John Akeroyd, a very experienced botanical guide who also is an expert on local flora and the cultural/historical significance of habitats. The trip combines information about an interesting conservation project with walking, botanical and ornithological facts and the culture of an important historic landscape. Highlights of the excursion are: a possible visit to a traditional sheepfold to watch and discuss traditional cheese making and at least one UNESCO village. The trip will take approximately 12 hours and has an altitude difference of +- 150m.

The micro region of Csomad-Balvanyos encompasses the south-eastern part of the Harghita Country (Lazaresti, Cozmeni, Tusnad, Baile Tusnad) and part of the neighbouring Covasna territories (Bixad, Balvanyos, Turia). The villages here have many historical and natural resources to offer visitors and their history means that they have an important connection to the mountain range. The region is famous for its abundant natural springs.

The first highlight of this trip is the Saint Ann Lake, situated at the bottom of the Ciomad Volcano Crater, which is the only crater-lake in Central and Eastern Europe. Here the group will learn about the legend of St. Ann and her association with the lake. The Mohos Peat Bog, at the bottom of the largest crater of twin Ciomad volcanic crater, is the second highlight. The bog is a unique and extremely threatened biotope and the last glacial refugee for several endangered species. A local guide will accompany the group and talk about the areas unique flora and fauna during the walk. The trip will take approximately 8 hours.

For trips marked with difficulty 1 good/comfortable walking shoes and warm waterproof clothing would be needed.

For trips with difficulty 2 to 5 adequate hiking boots and warm waterproof clothing are mandatory.

Excursions marked 4 and 5 are strenuous and would require very good physical condition and hiking boots with ankle support. The trails are difficult but do not require specialist climbing equipment.