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/German 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 neighbouring 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.
