Embark on an epic gravel bike adventure through the stunning Apuseni Mountains and discover some of the hidden gems of Romania. From the mining town of Roșia Montana, and the unfortunate tale of the submerged village of Geamăna to the picturesque basalt columns of Detunata, this tour is packed with stunning landscapes and breathtaking views.
A short transfer away, you’ll find yourself wandering around Salina Turda, a former salt mine now turned into a museum, and marvel at the beauty of Cheile Turzii, a series of stunning gorges. You’ll discover the quaint village of Rimetea, known for its traditional architecture and culture. Along the way, enjoy this unspoiled region’s fresh air and natural beauty, and savour the challenge of tackling its rugged terrain on your gravel bike!
Price includes: accommodation for 5 nights in pensions; meals (5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners); bike rentals and helmets; luggage transportation; entrance fees; English speaking local guide.
Doesn't include: your flight, airport transfer, insurance, personal expenses.
Most convenient is to transfer from Cluj or Timișoara, where you can spend a couple of days before or after the trip. You can transfer on your own, or we can arrange a transfer for you (not included in the price).
Roșia Montana is famed for the disputes between the mining companies and preservationists, who want to keep the natural and cultural values of the region intact. And there's no better place to understand where this debate started than Geamăna Lake. Once a quaint village, it is now submerged in an artificial lake, where they drain the toxic waste produced by the nearby gold mines.
Hopefully, you have your climbing legs ready as we ascend over 1000 metres today on mostly gravel trails.
The first day was arguably the hardest, so we'll take it easier today. We will visit the old roman mines in the morning and then spend the rest of the day in and around Roșia Montana, reminiscing at how the town might've looked in its heyday.
In the afternoon, we will set up by one of the tăus, or lakes, and get ready for an evening of barbecue and laughter.
We will hit the gravel roads again today and ride southeast to the Detunata peak. Situated at the edge of Bucium village, the Detunata is a spectacular rock mountain, made of thousands of hexagonal basalt columns. Oh, did you know Detunata means lightning in Romanian?
We will transfer to Torockó early in the morning and visit the village known for its traditional white houses with green blinds, the oldest ones made of cob.
After lunch, we will head out on a short ride to the neighboring Torockószentgyörgy and climb up to its 13th-century fortress.
We'll take the minibus to Turda in the morning, where we'll hike in the Turda Gorge. We will enter from the western side and return on the ridge. Afterwards, we will cycle around to the eastern entrance.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Turda Salt Mines, where you can ride a Ferris wheel or take a boat ride on the mine lake.
We'll start our last day by catching the famous double sunrise in Torockó. Here, the sun rises in the east, then hides behind the Székelykő and rises again behind the cliffs.
Speaking of cliffs, the Székelykő is a majestic mountain towering above the village of Torockó. I highly recommend taking the hike up top before your trip home if your time allows.
We offer small-group, guided cycling adventures focused on authentic local experiences in Romania. You ride at your own pace while we handle the logistics: luggage transfers, vehicle backup, and local tips. Expect family-run guesthouses, traditional meals, and real connections with locals.
Tours are guided in English by Peter, our founder and a local with deep knowledge of these regions.
This is a hard-rated gravel tour with significant climbing despite the shorter daily distances, averaging 24km per day on rough terrain. Technical gravel and off-road sections demand good bike handling. Regular cyclists with off-road experience are best suited.
Groups are between 4 and 8 people.
No worries! We're confident you'll make a new friend! Our guides and friendly guests will make you feel right at home.
Even our trips are designed to bring the group together with many community events, like grill-parties, wine tastings and even some ice-breakers on our first evening together.
100%!
Ask us about the makeup of each group, and we'll let you know the demographics.
Yes! Just because you don't ride doesn't mean you can't eat, drink, relax and discover the best our destinations offer.
Since all our tours include the cost of bike and gear rental, these costs will be subtracted from the price. Please make an inquiry and ask for an exact price for non-riders.
Children under 12 are welcome as long as they're accompanied by one non-riding adult. Cycling children must be 12 or older. eBikes are available for riders aged 16 and over.
We've put together a full packing list covering cycling gear, clothing, toiletries, and travel essentials — including what to leave at home. Read the full packing list.
Travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We strongly recommend purchasing a policy that covers adventure activities — the kind typically used for skiing, covering medical evacuation and cycling-related incidents.
In general, cycling here is safe and incredibly rewarding, especially on quiet rural roads.
The main things to be aware of are traffic behavior, road surfaces, and (in some regions) animals.
We've written a detailed, experience-based guide covering cycling safety in Romania.
Our tours run from April to October. The best months are May, June, and September — comfortable temperatures, quiet roads, and the landscape at its best. July and August are fine for most tours but can be hot. April and October offer dramatic scenery but colder mornings and occasional rain, so pack layers.
Read our detailed guide to the best time to cycle in Romania.
Wiredonkey tours are mostly all-inclusive:
Prices don't include the following:
This tour requires a minimum of 4 guests to guarantee departure. If your booking falls below 4, we will contact you before final payment with two options: pay the departure cost to secure your preferred date (refunded in full if the group reaches 4 before departure), or switch to a different trip or departure date.
Yes. Our listed prices are based on groups of 4–8 guests.
We guarantee the tour once 4 guests are booked. If you are a group of 2 or 3 and want to secure the dates regardless of whether others join, or if you'd prefer to keep the tour private, we can run it as a private tour at the 2- or 3-person rate, which covers the minimum group cost.
We recommend booking at least 90 days before departure. Based on availability, last-minute bookings can be accommodated up to two weeks before departure.
Airport transfers are not included in the tour price. Trip groups meet at a centrally located meeting point. Details are provided upon booking.
If needed, we can arrange a transfer from the airport or your accommodation to the meeting point (an extra charge may apply).
The deposit is 70% refundable up to 30 days before the tour start date.
Bookings are 100% transferable to another person up to 30 days before the tour.
If Wiredonkey Cycling Tours cancels the tour for any reason, 100% of all payments made will be refunded.
No refunds are provided for no-shows or late arrivals once the tour has started.
Yes. Any of our tours can be run as a private group — just get in touch to discuss dates and pricing. If you'd like a fully custom itinerary, we're happy to build something around your preferences, pace, and dates. Find out more about custom cycling tours.
Most of our bike tours are designed in a 'slow ride' spirit, allowing our guests to truly immerse themselves in the local culture and landscape. However, a lot of tour days offer the possibility for multiple ride options to accommodate rides of different levels. Some may take a detour to include an additional site. Some might go over the mountain, while others might want to go around. Please ask your guide to recommend you the best option.
The support vehicle also offers up some additional options. You can hitch a ride over a major climb or head to the next town for extra exploration time.
If you feel you can't finish the whole distance because you're tired, we'll take a rest. No one is in a hurry.
If you're really feeling out of it and can't continue, you can hop in our support vehicle, which is always near.
If you'd like to pedal for a bit longer than planned for the day, contact your guide. Our guides are prepared with alternative routes and ideas for additional sights. Just make sure you have something left in the tank for the next day!
Yes. A support vehicle accompanies every multi-day tour. It carries your luggage between stops, keeps spare gear, tools, water, and snacks on hand, and is always nearby if you need a lift over a tough climb or a mechanical fix.
You can choose between a gravel bike or a mountain bike based on your preference. We typically ride Canyon Grail or similar gravel bikes, but the exact model depends on availability. The route is predominantly gravel and off-road through the Apuseni Mountains.
All of our tours provide an eBike option; however, the type of eBike might not match the style of the tour. E.g. we might be able to only offer electric mountain bikes.
Absolutely!
And since all of our tours include the cost of bike and gear rental, these costs will of course be subtracted from the price. Please inquire and ask for an exact price if you plan to bring your bike.
When you sign up for your trip, we will work with you to determine your bike size and fit. On the first day of your trip, your guides will adjust your bike to your comfort and preferences to ensure an excellent fit. Your guides are always available to make small adjustments throughout the week.
All bikes come with a helmet and lights (front and rear).
All bikes come with an SPD pedal by default. If you plan to bring your own cycling shoe, let us know in advance so we can accommodate you with a suitable pedal.
Charming family-run guesthouses in the Apuseni Mountains.
Yes. Our prices are per person based on two people sharing a room. Guests who wish to have their own room will be charged a Single Supplement fee provided a room is available on the desired trip.
If you wish to arrange a pre or post-night stay for your tour, please contact us, and we'll try to accommodate you. However, please understand that we might not be able to always accommodate you at the same guesthouse or hotel or in the same room.
All our tours include 3 meals per day. The exception is the first day when there is no breakfast and the last day when no dinner is provided.
We also provide one water bottle per person.
Meals are at pre-tested local restaurants or cafés.
Sometimes we organize a picnic or grill-party along the route.
We'll do our best to accommodate guests with dietary needs. Please specify your dietary requirements when talking to our representatives.
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