Discover Transylvania's rich Saxon heritage on a scenic bike tour that takes you through picturesque villages and rolling hills, offering a glimpse into the country's fascinating history and culture. The trail begins in Bazna, from where you'll continue to Valea Viilor, Alma Vii, Moșna, Biertan, Mălâncrav and Criș, stopping at each location to learn about the area's rich history and marvel at the stunning architecture.
We'll spend a night in Sighișoara, one of Europe's best-preserved medieval citadels and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's also the starting point of the country's best single-trail bike path, leading us south to our final destination, the charming Saxon village of Viscri. Throughout the tour, you'll have the opportunity to sample delicious local cuisine and interact with friendly locals, all while soaking in the breathtaking beauty of Transylvania's rural landscape. With its mix of history, culture, and stunning scenery, the Saxon Heritage Trail is an unforgettable biking experience.
Price includes: accommodation for 5 nights in traditional guesthouses; meals (5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners); bike rentals (Cube Reaction) 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 Sibiu or Cluj, 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).
We start our trip in Bazna, a village known for its thermal baths and the 15th-century fortified church. We'll follow quiet country and gravel roads to our first stop, Valea Viilor.
We'll see many fortified churches on our trip. Still, the one in Valea Viilor is an imposing gothic architectural monument, earning it a deserved place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Our day ends in Alma Vii, a quaint Saxon village nestled in an untravelled valley.
The valleys we've been riding through were once important wine-growing areas, and today we'll continue between vineyards until our next stop, Moșna. Once a thriving commercial town, it rivalled the importance of nearby Mediaș. Nowadays, it's mostly visited for the 15th-century evangelical church.
The highlight of our day will be in Biertan, a town famous for its 13th-century fortified church, which has been a part of the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1993. A gothic masterpiece with 3 levels of walls forming rings around it, arguably the most beautiful church in Transylvania.
We'll fill up with local delicacies before hitting more challenging gravel roads. From Nou Săsesc, we might choose to cycle around the mountain or pushbike until our home for the night, Mălâncrav.
From Mălâncrav, we'll follow wonderful valleys and quiet back roads to Criș, home to a nicely restored 15th-century renaissance castle. Hidden between the hills, it used to be the residence of the Bethlen family.
From Criș, we'll ride through hills and dense forests, including the Breite Reserve, home to spectacular centuries-old oaks and arrive in Sighișoara, our final destination for the day.
Sighișoara is perhaps the quintessential Saxon town in Transylvania, with a beautifully preserved medieval citadel. It's also the birthplace of Vlad Țepeș, ruler of Wallachia and inspiration for Bram Stoker's Count Dracula. We'll spend the rest of the day wandering the cobblestone streets of the old town, listening to mysterious stories and legends.
In the morning, we'll have some more time to spend in Sighișoara before hitting the country's best single-trail bike path. We'll follow this path south, through seemingly impenetrable forests, until our overnight stop in Criț.
Today we'll continue to follow the same single-path trail for a while more before reaching the final destination of our tour. Viscri is probably the most famous village in Transylvania, thanks to Prince (well, King now) Charles, who, through his foundation, restored a whole street in the village and employed many locals.
Viscri also has a beautifully preserved fortified church, our final World Heritage List spot. While in the village, we can visit blacksmiths and brickmaker shops and see the artisans at work.
Our time in Saxon Transylvania has unfortunately come to an end. From Viscri, you can transfer back to Sibiu or Cluj, or you can travel to Brașov, an exciting city to explore. If you need a guide, you know where to look!
