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This listing has the most popular offer available in Romania
Enjoy Transylvania’s historical landscape of endless rolling hills adorned by wildflower meadows, forests, and tiny villages, set against the backdrop of the Carpathian mountain range. This may well be Europe’s last riding heaven! The concept of the treks is to introduce guests right to the heart of Romanian culture – where horses have kept their original role. The ride is led through unmarked terrain, over hills, and through forests, connecting one small village to another by unnoticeable tracks used by horses and carts.
Accommodation on the ride is quite varied and you will experience life as the locals live in the village, but also enjoy the vernacular charms of Count Kalnoky’s and The former Prince of Wales’s, King Charles cottages.
This is the standard itinerary available from the beginning of April to the end of October. Around 4 - 6 hours (20 - 30 kilometers) are spent in the saddle daily and a variety of terrain is traversed as you travel through wild hills and forest landscapes during the 110-120 kilometers long trail. The villages are situated at 450-700 meters, the hills reach 800-900 meters. This region is called Erdővidék, or “Woodlands”, and has been looking very much the same for the last centuries, including its charming ancient villages.
You will arrive at Miklósvár / Miclosoara after being transferred from the airport / station. The village of Miklósvár was part of the Kálnoky family estate and the old hunting manor is on the edge of the village - now The Museum of Transylvanian Life. The area was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire and became Romanian during the 1st World War. A number of the traditional houses in the village have been carefully restored in order to preserve their original Transylvanian charm and character and accommodation in these guesthouses. The cottages are situated within spacious gardens, with storks nesting on nearby rooftops.
Meet your guide or Countess Anna Kálnoky to discuss the horses you will be riding during the tour.
Transfer to the riding center at Valea Crisului (Sepsikőröspatak, “Round Brook”), 40 minutes by car. The ride starts ascending slowly onto a ridge, where you are heading north on high pastures with magnificent views stretching to the high Carpathian Range.
You leave the villages of Kálnok and Zalán to your right below you down in the valley, meet shepherds and their flocks on the pastures and at the end of the day, you descend through the forest to reach Malnas Bai (Málnásfürdő, “Raspberry Baths”), where the riders stay for the night as guests of a local hunter’s family (bathrooms might have to be shared).
Once a thriving spa with plenty of mineral water springs, this village has typical wooden turn-of-the-century Transylvanian spa architecture, although now in a rather rickety shape.
Riding distance and time: 21 kilometers, 4-5 hours
You ascend back up into the deep forests of the Hatod region, where 6 villages share the same woods (hatod = “one sixth”). You will travel along a quiet forest track, where bear traces are often to be found. After having ridden around the extinct volcano called “Murgó”, you descend on gentle grassy slopes to the Batanii villages (“Big Bacon and Little Bacon”) to reach your accommodations in village houses at lovely “Little Bacon” where you shall have common dinner at a local family. The villagers here are known to be especially hospitable and friendly, and before dinner, they will take pride in showing you their still functioning watermill and traditional looms.
Riding distance and time: 22 kilometers, 5 hours
You head northwest through forests and hay meadows, to climb up to Szép Arca (“Pretty Face”) hill on the southern slopes of the Hargita Range. Wide views open out on distant Barót and Olt Valley. You descend south and cross a valley to reach the hills south of Barót where you will have a picnic at a small lake. It is the result of a collapsed mine and is situated at the old mining settlement 'Köpecbánya' which is now mainly populated by gypsies.
From here you follow the lower line of the forest along the beautiful valley of the Olt river, reaching Miklosvar's manor grounds and stables in the afternoon. You will be accommodated at Count Kálnoky's guesthouses or at the castle. Visit the castle, its museum and park in the afternoon. Riding distance & time: 25km, 6 hours.
You will leave Miklósvár and head east along forests and pastures, passing through Szárazajta / Aita Seaca (‘Dry’ Ajta village), to climb up to the ridge above Zalánpatak Valley. Wide views open out on the distant Carpathian mountain range. You will descend southeast to the village of Zalánpatak / Valea Zalanului, which was part of the family estate as a glass manufacture and now harbours former Prince of Wales's, King Charles private retreat.
Several traditional houses in the village have been carefully restored, where you will be accommodated for the next 2 nights. Before dinner, you can take a walk in the evening on the King's retreat and in the village. Riding distance & time: 21km, 4-5 hours.
From Zalánpatak, you return to Kőröspatak crossing the hills and brooks. This trip was very common for many a generation of the Kálnoky family who had to ride often between the two villages. It is a medium ride through spectacular surroundings with wonderful views from the high pastures. After crossing the ancient village of Kálnok, the final canter will reach the ruins of the old tower above Kőröspatak. Before reaching the stables you will dip the horse's legs in the little stream crossing the village. You will be transferred back to the Zalánpatak guesthouse for the evening.
Riding distance and time: 19 kilometers, 4 hours
Depart after breakfast or add on a few days of relaxation and tours based at Count Kálnoky’s Guesthouses in Miklósvár.
Riding days are generally between 3 and 6 hours in the saddle, with breaks to rest and for lunch. When moving accommodation at night on the circuit outings, luggage is transported for you by backup vehicle. Rides are led by two guides, one English-speaking, and groups are usually limited to a maximum of 8 riding guests. AKY PROD COM SERVICE SRL also sometimes run private rides for closed groups of up to 10 riders who know each other.
The rides are at a moderate pace overall, with routes taking you through the forest and up and down mountain tracks. There are lots of opportunities for trots and canters each day as much of the riding is across open grassland. There is a little road work each day (some on tar roads) in the vicinity of the villages you pass through, but roads are generally very quiet with little motorized traffic.
To participate in these rides you should have a reasonable amount of previous riding experience. The terrain is varied and you will cover about 150 kilometers during the course of the week. You should be comfortable and secure in the saddle at a walk, trot, and canter and used to riding in open country and over different types of terrain.
The horses are sensible and well-mannered to ride, so they are well suited to people of intermediate riding ability and above. You should also be reasonably riding fit to take part and you are recommended to ride regularly at home before the trip so that you get used to the hours you will spend in the saddle. The trip accepts riders of up to 90 kg.
The area you ride through is unspoiled and almost untouched by tourism. Some of the ridings are through the forest and up and down hills and there are one or two places where riders might need to dismount to walk over rough ground, depending on conditions - a good chance to stretch your legs! However overall the area is excellent for riding, with plenty of space, wonderful open pastures full of wildflowers in the spring, varied scenery, and many wonderful views. There is also much to see of cultural interest, with many local people living in conditions that have changed little for hundreds of years and with horses still widely used for plowing fields and pulling carts.
Meals are cooked locally and served as table d’hôte. There is a set menu with no choice à la carte, but dietary requirements can be met with prior notice.
Enhance your holiday experience by adding bear watching available for an extra cost. For more information, please consult your tour guide, after arrival.
Hot tubs are available for an extra cost both at Count Kalnoky's and former Prince of Wales's King Charles property.
Hot tubs are available both at Count Kalnoky's and former Prince of Wales's King Charles property.
Cluj-Napoca International Airport
168 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 220 per person
Henri Coandă International Airport
164 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 199 per person
Sibiu International Airport
118 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 178 per person
Guests are encouraged to take the train from Bucharest to Brasov or Augustin (the closest station). Transfer from Brasov or Augustin is available for an extra charge. Discount for more than 2 passengers is available.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
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