Main Information
Discover One of Europe’s Most Unexpected Cycling Destinations
Transylvania offers a striking mix of dramatic landscapes, rich history and rewarding riding. From UNESCO-listed sites and atmospheric medieval towns to quiet mountain roads, welcoming accommodation and generous local cuisine, it has all the ingredients for an unforgettable SFIDA Cycling adventure.
Iconic Roads and Spectacular Scenery
The route features two of Romania’s most celebrated mountain roads: the Transfăgărășan and the Transalpina. These world-class climbs combine sweeping bends, high-altitude views and memorable riding through some of the country’s most impressive scenery.
Culture, Towns and Local Flavours
Along the way, we will explore remarkable towns and cultural landmarks, including Brașov, Sighișoara, Sibiu, Horezu Monastery, Bran Castle, Viscri, the Saxon fortified churches and Făgăraș Citadel.
The food is hearty, abundant and full of character, blending Eastern European traditions with regional influences. Expect good coffee, fantastic pastries and plenty of memorable meals throughout the trip.
An Adventure Beyond the Familiar
If you have never considered riding in this part of Europe, Transylvania may surprise you. Join us for an adventurous, culturally rich cycling journey through one of the continent’s most distinctive regions.
Extend Your Trip — If you would like to keep riding, you can continue with our SFIDA Danube: Vienna to Belgrade trip, which starts two days later.
Please contact us to discuss options for combining these two memorable SFIDA Cycling trips.
Trip Details
- Destination: Romania.
- Duration: 8 days
- Dates: 7-15 August 2027
- Hotels: 3-4 stars
- Meals: All meals included
Travel Information
- Arrival: Bucharest (OTP)
- Departure: Budapest (BUD)
Options and Pricing
- Non-rider discount: 10%
- Rental bike: Available
- Rental e-bike: Available
- Price: €4,550.00
Ride Statistics
- Total distance: 550km
- Average daily distance: 80km
- Total climbing: 9,500m
- Average daily climbing: 1,350m
MORE INFORMATION
Pricing
- Twin room: 4550 Euros pp
- Single supplement: 850 Euros
- Rental bike: 750 Euros
- Rental e-bike: 800 Euros
Own bike fee: 200 Euros. This fee applies to guests bringing their own bikes.
Payment terms
A deposit of 1,000 Euros is due at the time of booking. The remaining balance must be paid no later than 120 days before the trip begins.
Included
- Eight nights of accommodation in 3–4-star hotels.
- One SFIDA Cycling jersey.
Meals included
- Eight breakfasts.
- Eight lunches.
- Eight dinners.
Not included
- International flights.
- Travel insurance.
- Personal hotel extras, such as minibar and spa charges.
- Tips for staff.
Support
- Experienced ride leaders.
- A staff-to-client ratio of 1:4.
- Fully equipped support vans are available throughout each ride.
- On-ride nutrition and supplies, including gels, energy bars, drink mix, water, fruit, tools, pumps, spare tubes, and tyres.
- A professional first aid kit.
Cancellation policy
In response to post-COVID changes in international travel, and in line with most hotels’ terms and conditions, our cancellation policy is as follows:
- 120 or more days before the trip starts: Your deposit will be refunded, minus any non-reimbursable expenses.
- Less than 90 days before the trip starts: No refund or credit available. Make sure your travel insurance covers all the SFIDA Cycling trip costs.
Travel insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance as soon as you pay your deposit and book your international flights. Please make sure your policy covers the following:
- International flights.
- Reimbursement of amounts paid if you need to cancel for any reason.
- Damage to your rental bike (see our terms and conditions).
Reserving your spot
To reserve your place, the full deposit must be paid. Because hotels are now stricter about holding rooms for groups, we cannot hold or confirm a spot until the deposit has been received.
Itinerary
After meeting the SFIDA Cycling team in Bucharest, we will transfer to Brașov, our first base in Transylvania.
The journey to Brașov includes several worthwhile stops, offering a first taste of Romania’s history, architecture and mountain scenery.
Peleș Castle — Our first stop is Peleș Castle, a former royal residence renowned for its striking exterior architecture and richly decorated interiors.
Bran Castle — We then continue to Bran, home to the famous Bran Castle. Often associated with the Dracula legend, this impressive fortress is one of Transylvania’s best-known landmarks.
By the end of the day, we will arrive in Brașov, one of Transylvania’s most attractive and atmospheric cities.
Hotel: Radisson Blu Hotel Brasov
Our first ride of the trip takes place in the countryside around Brașov, combining cultural landmarks, rolling roads and our first proper climb.
Saxon Fortified Churches — We begin by riding towards Prejmer and Hărman, home to some of the finest Saxon-era fortified churches in the region.
These remarkable complexes were built as places of refuge as well as worship, with accommodation, kitchens, teaching rooms and a central church protected within the fortifications.
Poiana Brașov Climb — After returning towards Brașov, we climb to Poiana Brașov, the mountain resort above the city. It will be a good early test of our climbing legs.
Afternoon in Brașov — Later in the day, we will explore Brașov on foot, visiting the Black Church and taking time to enjoy one of Transylvania’s most atmospheric cities.
Ride route: Day 2 ride
Ride statistics: 69 km · 745 m climbing
Hotel: Radisson Blu Hotel Brasov
Today’s ride is one of the longest of the trip, linking Brașov with Sighișoara through hilly terrain, historic towns and quiet rural landscapes.
Morning Ride to Făgăraș — The first part of the day takes us across rolling countryside to Făgăraș, where we will stop for lunch and have time to visit the town’s impressive fortress.
Quiet Roads and Rural Landscapes — In the afternoon, we continue on quieter roads through agricultural landscapes that have changed very little over time.
This remarkable sense of preservation is part of what drew King Charles III to the village of Viscri, where he purchased a traditional property.
Viscri — Viscri remains one of the region’s most atmospheric villages, with traditional farmhouses and a deeply rural character.
Arrival in Sighișoara — After completing the ride, we transfer to Sighișoara for the night.
Sighișoara is one of Transylvania’s true gems: a beautifully preserved medieval town that more than justifies our overnight stay.
Ride route: Day 3 ride
Ride statistics: 126 km · 1,060 m climbing
Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton
Today brings our first encounter with the legendary Transfăgărășan, one of Europe’s most spectacular mountain roads.
Leaving the medieval streets of Sighișoara behind, we ride towards the Transylvanian Carpathians, gradually trading historic towns and rural landscapes for wilder mountain scenery.
The Transfăgărășan Road — Built in the early 1970s for military purposes, the Transfăgărășan is now celebrated as one of the most memorable roads in the world to ride by bike, with dramatic bends, steep gradients and sweeping alpine views.
Evening at Cascada Bâlea — We will spend the night at a mountain lodge and take time to walk to Cascada Bâlea, one of the area’s best-known natural attractions.
Ride route: Day 4 ride
Ride statistics: 100 km · 1,590 m climbing
Hotel: Cabana Bâlea
Today we continue towards the summit of the Transfăgărășan, riding the final and most dramatic kilometres of this legendary mountain road.
Summit Views — The climb saves its most spectacular scenery for the top, with sweeping views over the switchbacks and the surrounding mountain landscape. At the summit, we will stop for coffee and take time to enjoy the views over Lake Vidraru.
Descent and Transfer to Vâlcea — After beginning the descent, we will pause for lunch lower down the mountain before transferring to our hotel in the attractive town of Vâlcea.
Ride route: Day 5 ride
Ride statistics: 56 km · 1,450 m climbing
Hotel: Ramada Vâlcea
We begin the day with a short transfer to Horezu Monastery, one of Romania’s most important religious and cultural landmarks.
Horezu Monastery — This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest monastic complex in Romania and one of the finest examples of Brâncovenesc architecture from the late 17th century. Still home to a community of nuns, it offers a fascinating insight into Romania’s religious, artistic and architectural heritage.
After the visit, we begin our ride towards the start of the Transalpina, one of Romania’s most famous and rewarding mountain roads.
Approach to the Transalpina — The first part of the route takes us gradually towards Novaci, where we will stop for lunch before beginning the climb onto the Transalpina.
Climb to Rânca — As the name suggests, the Transalpina soon begins to climb, taking us into a more alpine landscape as the road rises towards the mountain resort of Rânca.
We will spend the night in Rânca, surrounded by mountain scenery and enjoying the area’s warm hospitality.
Ride route: Day 6 ride
Ride statistics: 56 km · 1,910 m climbing
Hotel: Hotel Cabana Terra
High Mountain Riding — Today we continue along the Transalpina Road, riding from Rânca towards Obârșia Lotrului through one of the most spectacular sections of the route. Expect high mountain terrain, sweeping switchbacks and expansive views.
Ride to Poiana Sibiului — From Obârșia Lotrului, we continue through beautiful mountain and valley scenery towards Poiana Sibiului. Once we arrive, we will finish the ride and transfer to Sibiu.
Afternoon in Sibiu — Sibiu is one of Transylvania’s most beautiful cities, known for its elegant squares, historic streets and rich Saxon heritage.
Its Old Town reflects the grandeur of Sibiu’s guild-era past and has a distinctly Germanic character, similar to Sighișoara and Brașov. Medieval walls, narrow lanes, steep-roofed 17th-century buildings and church-lined squares connect the Upper Town’s landmarks with the Lower Town’s colourful cobblestone streets, towers and views over the Cibin River.
Ride route: Day 7 ride
Ride statistics: 104 km · 2,050 m climbing
Hotel: Ramada Sibiu
Morning Ride — On our final day, we begin with a shorter morning ride through the countryside surrounding Sibiu.
Villages and Fortified Churches — The route takes us through the villages of Rășinari, Cisnădioara and Cisnădie, a beautiful rural area known for its fortified churches, small citadels and traditional Transylvanian character.
Afternoon in Sibiu — After returning to Sibiu, we will spend the afternoon exploring this fascinating historic city.
Its pedestrian centre is among the most attractive in Eastern Europe, with elegant squares, historic streets and many worthwhile sights to discover.
Ride route: Day 8 ride
Ride statistics: 56 km · 700 m climbing
Hotel: Ramada Sibiu
Departure to Budapest — For practical reasons, we will transfer guests to Budapest, Hungary, rather than back to Bucharest.
After breakfast, we will depart the hotel in Sibiu and travel to Budapest, arriving in the early afternoon.
Extend Your Trip — If you would like to keep riding, you can continue with our SFIDA Danube: Vienna to Belgrade trip, which starts two days later.
Please contact us to discuss options for combining these two memorable SFIDA Cycling trips.