6-Day Transylvania Guided Cycling Holiday: Saxon Heritage Trail

Day 1 · Avrig -> Alma Vii

1. 1

   Avrig

   one hour

   We start our day in Avrig, in front of the super Bruckenthal Palace.

2. 2

   Hosman

   one hour

   We stop by the fortified church in Hosman and spend some time understanding the origin of the Saxons and how they influenced the development of this part of Transylvania.

3. 3

   Alma Vii

   one hour

   Our day ends in Alma Vii, a quaint Saxon village nestled in an untravelled valley.

Overnight stay in Alma Vii at a traditional Saxon home, transformed into a guesthouse.

Day 2 · Alma Vii -> Mălâncrav

1. 1

   Mosna Fortified Church

   one hour Admission included

   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.

2. 2

   Biertan Fortified Church

   2 hours Admission included

   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.

3. 3

   Malancrav

   one hour

   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.

Overnight stay in Mălâncrav at a traditional Saxon home, transformed into a guesthouse.

Day 3 · Mălâncrav -> Sighișoara

1. 1

   Cris

   one hour

   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.

2. 2

   Breite Ancient Oak Tree Reserve

   Passing by

   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.

3. 3

   Sighisoara

   3 hours

   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.

Overnight in Sighișoara in a guesthouse or pension.

Day 4 · Sighișoara -> Criț

1. 1

   Sighisoara Clock Tower

   one hour Admission included

   In the morning, we'll have some more time to spend in Sighișoara, and climb the famous clock tower.

2. 2

   Crit

   one hour

   From Sighișoara, we'll be 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.

Overnight stay in Criț at a traditional Saxon home, transformed into a guesthouse.

Day 5 · Criț -> Viscri

1. 1

   Viscri Fortified Church

   2 hours Admission included

   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 Romania, 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.

Overnight stay in Viscri at a traditional Saxon home, transformed into a guesthouse.

Day 6 · Sad goodbyes

1. 1

   Viscri

   2 hours

   While in the village of Viscri, we can visit blacksmiths and brickmakers shops and see the artisans at work.