A tourist who crossed a part of the Via Transilvanica annoyed the hiking enthusiasts, after reporting that he traveled the spectacular land of the Carpathians on a motorcycle. A lot of Romanians answered him, outraged.
Ponorului dead end, where the tourist arrived by motorcycle. Photo: Daniel Guță
“Hello! This is the first post on the group. This summer I covered part of the Via Transilvanica route on a motorcycle from Cugir to Drobeta. We didn’t have enough time to stop at all the beautiful locations on the route, but we ticked off a few fairytale villages, such as Târsa and Funătura Ponorului (video), in some of the photos you will also find the Beech (tree) from Târsa, which is said to be around 400 years old. The routes are well marked, with a little attention from the travelers too, you will reach your destination”, was the motorcyclist’s message, on the official Via Transilvanica group.
However, the traveler did not know that according to the regulations for visiting Grădiștea Muncelului Cioclovina National Park, crossed by Via Transilvanica, unauthorized access to some forest roads and paths is prohibited with motorcycles, ATVs and other types of motorized vehicles. Likewise in other protected areas, also located on the tourist route.
But it was not this that caused dissatisfaction, but the fact that Via Transilvanica is intended for those who travel on foot or by bicycle.
Photos published by tourists from Via Transilvanica.
“On a section of the route, in Domogled Valea Cernei National Park, it is prohibited. And this post is enough for me to write a fine“, answered a ranger from Domogled Valea Cernei National Park.
“Next are the ATVs and then the SUVs with handles. That’s how Romania is”, was another message addressed to the motorcyclist.
“If it is possible to reach Via Transilvanica by motor, then I give up. It is very bad to pollute the nature, with the different actions of motorization, whether atv or moped. Let me not see something like this again, neither on the trails, nor here, in the group”, another traveler commented.
“Motorized access is prohibited in most areas off public roads. Especially if they are in protected natural areas! Doing the Via Transilvanica on something with a motor is a big mess. And a lack of respect towards the other hikers and towards the initiators of the project! Not to mention it destroys the path sectors!”, another hiker relayed to him.
Motorcycles are not welcome on Via Transilvanica (video), because they emit noise and noise, answered another hiker.
“I’m glad I did the whole route without having to jump in front of a motorcycle, ATV or Jeep”was another comment.
Via Transilvanica overlaps with some forest roads, frequently used for the transport of wood. There have been cases in which forestry machines have knocked down the Via Transilvanica markers or in which the markings on the tourist route have been covered, erased and scrawled by locals, unhappy that tourists are entering areas where hunters are organized.
Via Transilvanica, the longest hiking trail in the Carpathians
Launched in 2022, Via Transilvanica, a tourist route of almost 1,400 kilometers, starts from Putna, crosses Transylvania and ends at Drobeta – Turnu Severin. Via Transilvanica can be crossed on foot or by bicycle, through the counties of Suceava, Mureş, Harghita, Braşov, Sibiu, Alba, Hunedoara, Caraş Severin and Mehedinţi.
At every kilometer, its “posts” – monuments sculpted by artists, which recall the history of the places – show tourists that they are on the right path, even if the Via Transilvanica often passes through areas far from cities and busy communication routes.
During the summer, the number of hikers encountered on Via Transilvanica is higher. Some dare to cover it from one end to the other, allocating even several weeks for such an adventure, most cross it in sections. In both situations, hikers find many reasons for satisfaction.
