Trek Transylvania 2025

09 October 2025

Piatra Craiului Mountains

Trek Transylvania 2025

09 October 2025

Piatra Craiului Mountains

About the event

Distance:
N/A
Ability:
Intermediate

9th – 13th October 2025

On this unique trekking challenge we will discover some of the hidden sights of Transylvania, and step back in time to experience rural life, Romanian style. Discover Romania on this amazing weekend trekking challenge in the rugged Piatra Craiului Mountains, tucked away in the southern Carpathians.

Feast your eyes on majestic castles such as the famous Count Dracula’s ‘Bran Castle’, pass through traditional villages and hike through stunning untouched scenery. Our three-day challenge takes us along craggy mountain ridges, through indigenous forests and flower-strewn meadows and farmland, with a fascinating glimpse of rural life in an almost medieval corner of Europe.

Register today!

Register today and join SSAFA on this incredible trek across the southern Carpathian mountains.

Register


What to expect:

Once you're signed up and joined Team SSAFA, we will be on hand throughout the lead-up to the trip to help you with your fundraising. We can help by providing ideas, tips, materials and anything else you may need to reach your target! We will also be able to offer some tips and advice on how to prep for the trip itself! 

Starting with a flight from London, this 5-day trip will feature 3 days of trekking - taking in the beauty of the Piatra Craiului Mountains, Zarnesti Gorges, Piatra Mica Peak and the famous castle in Bran, home of Count Dracula!

There will also be the opportunity to visit Peles Castle in Sinaia or a bear watching experience before flying home

At the end of your trek, you will receive a well-deserved medal and a dinner to celebrate your fantastic achievement.


Itinerary:


Day 1 (9th October 2025) – Fly from London to Bucharest where we will be met by our local guides. We then have a transfer to Zarnesti (approx. 3 hours), where we will spend the night in a local guesthouse.

Day 2 (10th October 2025) – Our first day trekking! After a short transfer we begin our trek on the northern slope of the Piatra Craiului Mountains, trekking through the forest towards Coltii Chiliilor Monastery. From here we begin a difficult ascent up to Diana refuge. In the afternoon we will descend along Valea Ursului towards Plaiu Foii Chalet, where we will finish with a short transfer back to Zarnesti for the night in the local guesthouse.

Day 3 (11th October 2025) – After a short transfer we begin trekking through Zarnesti Gorges leaving the gorge on a shepherds path through an old forest towards Curmatura hut. Todays trek will take us past stunning natural caves and we follow the shepherds trail as opposed to the normal tourist trail which give us the opportunity to spot forest wildlife. In the afternoon we will trek to Piatra Mica Peak before transferring back to Zarnestis.

Day 4 (12th October 2025) – This is our final day trekking. We begin the day with a transfer to Bran where we will visit the iconic castle, home to Count Dracula. We will then be transferred to the entrance of the National Park Bucegi Mountains where we trek through forest paths, alpine meadows and up to Strunga Saddle. We then trek the Bucegi Mountains to Padina Chalet our finish line! Late afternoon we transfer to Sinaia resort where we will check in to our hotel and enjoy a celebration meal!

Day 5 (13th October 2025) - Time permitting there is the opportunity to visit Peles Castle in Sinaia before flying home. We will then be transferred back to Bucharest airport and fly back to London.

What’s included?

Inclusions

  • International return flights from UK to Bucharest
  • Transfers upon arrival and departure and local transfers
  • Head English speaking guide
  • Twin-share accommodation (3* guesthouse)
  • Full board throughout
  • Celebration dinner
  • UK Doctor

Exclusions

  • Single person supplement 
  • Entrance to castles ($20Euros)
  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses 
  • Personal travel insurance 
  • Bear watching ($50 Euros)


Registration Fee: £299
Fundraising Target: £2500

If you would like any more information, please email teamssafa@ssafa.org.uk or call 020 4566 7952.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Get a taste of the adventure by watching our video from the SSAFA 2024 trek in Vietnam: 

You will only need to carry your day sack whilst trekking which contains everything you need for that day including your water which you will be able to fill up regularly. Your main bag with your sleeping stuff, spare clothes etc transported each day for you.

The bulk of our lunch and dinner meals while on trek will be traditional Romanian dishes – beef, pork, cheese, rice and cabbage, plus salads, fruits and breads. There will be a vegetarian option. There will be plenty of food and choices, but it is a good idea to bring some extra snacks for whilst you are trekking. Please let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements.

Our daily routes are based out of a traditional local guesthouse in Zarnesti, twin rooms with ensuite bathrooms.  The guesthouse has a restaurant and bar area. There is an additional fee for a single person supplement should you want your own room.

Walking is something most of us do every day, however trekking over mountainous, desert and mixed terrain, whether it’s over 3 or 15 days requires a good level of commitment to a training plan. Remember the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your challenge. Once you have signed up you will be sent a trekking training plan to get you ready for the event.

No specific equipment is needed for this trek and a full kit list will be sent to you once you have signed up. But the most important piece of kit you need is a good pair of walking boots, good waterproof jacket, and trousers. Trekking poles are also very useful.

Yes. To travel overseas you will need a valid passport with at least six (6) months of remaining validity. British passport holders do not require a visa for visiting Romania.

We will be walking with local guides who know the area and terrain like the back of their hand, they will lead the trek. We will also have a doctor with us to support when needed.

We work very closely with our trekkers to ensure they reach their fundraising targets, we hold monthly team calls where we provide you with ideas to reach your goal. We also send out monthly emails with fundraising ideas for that month and also set up a What’s App group for all our trekkers where you can share your ideas and what has worked well for you. If you are struggling with your fundraising, we are also always available to have a one-to-one chat and provide you with any advice or materials you may need. Our PR team can also support you with hints and tips on trying to get local radio interviews and stories in the local papers to boost your fundraising.

Each day’s trekking will be different, and we have to take into account the terrain and the speed of the group. On day 1 we will walk 12km which will take approximately 6 hours, day 2 is also 12km but on easier terrain which will take approximately 4-5 hours, and the final day is 11km which will take approximately 5-6 hours. 

This is a charity trek and not a race! No one will be left behind and we will all complete the event together as a group. Our local guides will be front and back markers so no one can overtake them or fall behind them.

Our three-day challenge takes us along craggy mountain ridges, through indigenous forests and flower-strewn meadows and farmland.

Flights, transfers, accommodation and full board are included in this package. They only things you have to pay for are your personal travel insurance, personal gratuities and entrance to attractions such as Bran Castle and Bear watching.