The demanding route of 1,400 km cuts in diagonal Romania and crosses the mountain meadows, forests from fairy tales and medieval monasteries, notes Damien Gabet in an editorial published on The Guardian.
Via Transilvanica offers photo -dream landscapes via Transilvanica / Facebook
“It has been about seven minutes since I started the bicycle turn when the first signs of addiction appeared. The” Power Assist “button of my e-Bike resembled a morphine dispenser, while climbing the Ceetous hills of Bukovina, in the north of Romania. Sergiu, our group’s guide, knew what they were doing. ‘Be honest with yourself – use the turbo mode only if it is absolutely necessary!’ Shouted. My big finger hid under the handlebar ”wrote Damien Gabet.
He was invited to participate in the first bicycle (and hiking) tour organized by the Slow Cyclist operator along a portion of Via Transilvanica “The Camino East ”. The route connects old commercial roads and paths used for transporting cattle, stretching from the north, from Putna, near the border with Ukraine, to the village of Drobeta-Turnu Severin, in the southwest of the country, at a throw by Serbia.
Equally attraction of ecotourism, artistic project and economic rescue cola, via Transilvanica is a story route, adds Gabet. He was conceived by the ecologist Alin Ușeriu and his brother, Tiberiu (who was held for reinforced robbery, later becoming ultramarathonist), who faced corruption, mafia and natural obstacles of the Carpathians. It is as much a victory of resilience as it is planning. In four and a half years, defying all the obstacles, they made a road that unites seven regions, with the help of hundreds of volunteers. The result? An irresistible invitation to lose yourself through a Romanian landscape that seems to defy time.
Via Transilvanica route unites Bucovina by Cerna Valley
“After I was hardly convinced to participate in a family wedding, I arrived two days late in the adventure. Fortunately, this meant that I missed a fierce storm, who took a bath to my colleagues the day before. Region on the UNESCO list, remarkable through the exterior, thoughtful frescoes, said Sergiu, as ‘Bibles for the illiterate’.
If you walk or bicycle on these hills, Sergiu is the right man to drive you, says Gabet. Born for the mountain, he was chosen by Tășuleasa Social-the NGO of the Ușeriu brothers-to map via Transilvanica from the perspective of a cyclist. Made the recognition of the 1,400 km on two wheels. “If you do not know the route, you can die,” he warned. “Some climbs are almost vertical.” In fact, this is the debut route in the new Expedition A Slow Cyclist series – designed for adventurous cyclists, not for those who prefer lunch with a light tour.
“This does not mean that lunch breaks were not some moments of simple beauty: sausages, tomatoes of an intense red and homemade cheese. With the plum pitch on the table, I felt strengthened for the afternoon.
The second morning began with a smooth walk through meadows sprinkled with dome -shaped hay. Then, without much warning, they entered an ancient forest-like the stories of the Grimm brothers, says Gabet.
“One of the Transylvanian via missions is to stop the rural exodus, giving people a reason to stay or even return. At lunch on the second day, with a translator, I talked to our host, who told me that the number of visitors has multiplied six times since the route was opened in 2022.
The accommodation that evening, at the Pension La Moara – all of carved wood and alpine dreams – reminded of Switzerland. At dinner, I could not refrain from a second portion of dumplings: dumplings with meat, floating in a soup embraced with dill. The main way was chicken paprika and a mountain of baked muffin with unpasteurized cheese from the host’s flock. ”
The Slow Cyclist team has found a wonderful balance between physical exertion and culture, offering a warm perspective on the past and present of Romania-through a muddy plunging in its dream landscapes, Gabet believes.
“In three days, I pedaled through fairy-tale landscapes and ate like a happy Saxon peasant. I already decided to go back to travel an even larger portion.”
Slow Cyclist offers a five -night expedition to Bucovina, with prices starting at 1,750 pounds/person, for groups of 12. The package includes transfers from the airport, support vehicle and luggage transport, local English speakers, five nights, all meals and activities, as well as renting the bicycle and rent. Departures are scheduled regularly between June and November, and private tours can be organized upon request, according to the site theslowcyclist.com.
