Level rate: Difficult

Dates of departure: May, 28 th, 2009, June – October 2009 on demand.

Nr. of team members: 4 – 10

Trip lenght (days): 8

Required gear: Sleeping bag, spot light, waterproof and warm changing cloths, water can, sweets, first-aid kit, helmet.

Transfer by car: Bucharest Airport OTOPENI – Feldioara area.

• Welcoming you at the International Airport Bucuresti Otopeni. Introduction, short presentation of the trip and leaving the airport.
• Transfer by car from the Bucharest Otopeni airport to Feldioara area (~165 km / 102,5 miles). Have lunch in Braşov City.
• Visit Feldioara fortress. The fortress was built on the top of a hill by the Teutonic knights who had been present in the Bârsa County between 1211 and 1225, then transformed into peasant fortress in 1457 (today only ruins).

Accommodation in a guesthouse in Feldioara village.

Cycling in Persani Mts.

Feldioara – Rotbav – Maierus – Pasul Bogata – Hoghiz – Racos – Defileul Oltului – Augustin – Ormenis – Apata

• It’a a difficult cycling day
• Cycling time: 6 – 7 (six to seven) hours
• Cycling trip length: 81 km
• Height difference: 100 m
• Sightseeing objectives: the fortified evangelic church and the archaeological village museum in Rotbav Village;the fortified evangelic church (historical monument), orthodox church (monument of architecture) in Maieruş Village; the Bogăţii forest reserve; the castles: Kalnoky, Haller, Valenta, the Lutheran church (attested from year 1749) in Hoghiz;the orthodox church (monument of architecture) and the village museum in Mateiaş Village;the Bethlen Castle (historical monument), “Masa lui Mihai Viteazu” (Mihai Viteazu’s Table, The Racos Basalts in Racos Village; ruins of “Cetatea de Apă” in Apata Village.

DAY PROPOSED SCHEDULE:

• 7.00: wake up
• 7.30: breakfast
• 8.30: leaving Feldioara village.
• 8.30 – 20:00: cycling throughout Persani Mts. Area
• Visit Rotbav village (500m): the fortified evangelic church, the archaeological village museum; here were founded vestiges from epoch of bronze.
• Visit Maierus village(480 m): the fortified evangelic church (historical monument), orthodox chuch (monument of arhitecture)
• Visit The Bogatii Forest (forest preserve, consisting mainly in beech trees and a rich fauna, but it is also a hunting preserve).
• Visit Hoghiz; near Hoghiz were found vestiges of roman camp Ponce Vetus, in the middle of some natural park of secular oaks were build 3 castle: Kalnoky (cen. XI-XII), Haller (cen. XVI) and Valenta (cen. XVI), the Lutheran church (1749)
• 13.00: stop for a quick backpack lunch
• Visit Mateiaş Village (470 m): the orthodox church (monument of architecture) and the village museum;
• Visit Racoş Village (480 m): the Bethlen Castle (historical monument), “Masa lui Mihai Viteazu” (Mihai Viteazu’s Table) digging in stone. The Racos Basalts-geological preserve with spectacular volcanic basalt structures.
• Visit Ormenis: the Ormenis Fossil Point-palaeontological preserve, the fossils belong to the Superior Cretaceous period.
• Visit Apata Village (475 m): ruins of “Cetatea de Apă” (Fortress of Water or Black Fortress)
• 20:00 arrive in Maieruş Village.
• 21.00: having dinner in Apata Village

Cycling in Persani Mts, among fortified churches of Transylvania.

Apata – Aita Mare – Miclosoara – Capeni – Baraolt – Vârghis -Hoghimas Gorge – Jimbor – Homorod

• Level rate: It’s an rather moderate cycling trip;
• Cycling time: 4 – 4 ½ (four and a half) hours
• Cycling trip length: 60 km
• Sightseeing objectives : the fortified church in Aita Mare;the church in Baraolt (historical monument);the Daniel Castle, rustic houses, village church and wood chuch (monument of arhitecture),museum of folk art in Varghis Village;landscape over the Hoghimas area; the church (monument of arhitecture) in Ocland;the fortified churches in Jimbor and Mercheasa; the fortified churches in Homorod.

PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF THE DAY:

• 8.00 – 8.30: wake up, have breakfast at the guesthouse in Apata Village.
• 10.00: packing and leaving Apata Village.
• 10.00 – 20:00: cycling in Persani Mts.
• Visit the Rural Fortress (16th century) in Aita Mare.
• Visit the fortified church in Baraolt (historical monument).
• 13:30 stop for a quick backpack lunch
• Visit Vârghis: the Daniel Castle, rustic houses, village church and wood chuch (monument of arhitecture), museum of folk art.
• Visit Ocland Village: the church (monument of arhitecture)
• Visit Jimbor Village and Mercheasa Village where we can admire the fortified churches.
• Visit Homorod Village: the fortified chuch.
• 20.00: arrival in Homorod Village.
• 21.00: having dinner in Homorod Village.

Cycling arround Persani Mts.

Cycling route: Homorod – Hoghiz – Cuciulata – Comana de Jos – Venetia de Jos – Sercaia – Sinca Veche – Persani – Codlea

• A rather difficult cycling day
• Cycling time: 6 ½ (six and a half) hours
• Cycling trip length: 60 km
• Sightseeing objectives to choose from:
  • The Kalnoky (12th century), Haller (16th century) and Valenta (16th century) castles;
  • the lutheran chuch (1749) from Hoghiz; the orthodox church and the wood church (monuments of arhitecture);
  • the village museum from Cuciulata Village; : the village museum of etnographiy from Comana de Jos Village;
  • the orthodox church (monument of arhitecture) from Venetia de Jos Village;
  • near the Sercaia village we can admire “Poiana Narciselor” (The Daffodils Glade) – floristic reservation;
  • the orthodox church (monument of ahitecture) in Persani Village;
  • the lutheran fortified church (historical monument),
  • the village houses (monument of arhitecture) in Codlea City

PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF THE DAY:

8.00: wake up.

8.30: breakfast;

10.00: leaving Homorod Village;

10.00-20.30: cycling in Persani Mountains:

Visit Hoghiz; near Hoghiz were found vestiges of Roman Camp Ponce Vetus (today ruins), in the middle of some natural park of secular oaks were build 3 castle: Kalnoky (12th century), Haller (16th century) and Valenta (16th century), the lutheran chuch (1749)

Visit Cuciulata Village: the orthodox church and the wood church (monuments of arhitecture); the village museum

Passing throught Comana de Jos Village: the village museum of etnography.

Passing throught Venetia de Jos Village: the orthodox church (monument of arhitecture)

Passing throught Sercaia Village: near the Sercaia village we can admire “Poiana Narciselor” (The Daffodils Glade) – floristic preserve with large daffodilas glades. These glades covered with a huge daffodils carpet (400 hectares, blossoming at the end of May) represent one of the Romania’s unique beauties, attracting numerous lovers of nature beauty). This glade is located in a forest of over 100 years old oaks.

Visit Sinca Veche: the 18th church built in solid rock

13.30 – 14.30: stop for a quick backpack lunch

Visit Persani Village: the orthodox church from 1793 (ahitecturonical monument)

Visit Codlea City: the lutheran fortified church (historical monument) – builed in Romanic style (13th century) and then rebuilded in gothic style (16th century), the village houses (monument of arhitecture), the Black Fortress (built by the Teuton Knights in the 13th century)

20.00: Having dinner in Codlea City.

Accommodation in guesthouse in Codlea City.

Cycling in Baraolt Mts.

Cycling route amoung Baraolt Massif: Codlea – Halchiu – Sfântu Gheorghe – Bodoc – Olteni – Tusnad Spa

• A rather difficult cycling tour
• Cycling time: 6 ½ (six and a half) hours
• Cycling trip length: 83 km
• Sightseeing objectives:
  • the 13 th century fortified church in Halchiu;
  • the reformed church (14th-15th century) in Sfantu Gheorghe;
  • the Roman Camp (2nd century), only ruins;
  • “The Herecz” Fortress (13th century), only ruins now.
  • Bodoc – the fortifief church dated from 15th century

PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF THE DAY:

8.00: wake up.

8.30: breakfast at the guesthouse in Codlea City

10.00: leaving Codlea City

10.00 – 20.30: cycling in Baraolt Mts.

Visit the Halchiu Village : the fortified church (13 th century)

Visit Sfantu Gheorghe: the reformed church (14th-15th century)

Visit Bodoc village : permanent spa, (at an altitude of 550 m); the Roman Camp (2nd century), only ruins; “The Herecz” Fortress (13th century), only ruins;

In Olteni village we can visit the fortifief church (15th century).

13:30 stop for a quick backpack lunch

20. 30 arrive in Baile Tusnad City.

21.00 having dinner in Baile Tusnad

Accommodation in guesthouse in Băile Tuşnad.

Visit Baile Tusnad.

Cycling circuit: Baile Tusnad – The Sf. Ana Lake- Bixad – Baile Tusnad

• A rather medium cycling day
• Hiking time: 4 (four) hours
• Cycling trip length: 55 km
• Sightseeing objectives: Piatra Soimului Rocks, the Mohos peat-bog, the Benes Moors, the “Ciucas” Lake, the Moors from Valea Mijlocie, The Vapa fortress, The Saint Anna Lake, picturesque environs landscape over the Bicsad valley basin.

PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF THE DAY:

9.00: wake up

9.30: breakfast

Visit Baile Tusnad (Tusnad Spa): the roman catholic church, Piatra Soimului (The Falcon’s Stone) and its surrounding at 40-50 minuts from Baile Tusnad, the Mohos peat-bog, the Benes Moors, the Lovers’ clearing, the Ciucas Lake used for rowing in summer and skating in winter.

Optional: We can visit the Moors from Valea Mijlocie – home of the small beech tree, Siberian species at its most southern location.

Visit the Vapa fortress.

At 3 hours from Baile Tusnad we can admire Saint Anna Lake. This lake is situated in the Ciomatu Mare massif in the Harghita Mountains, at an altitude of 950 m. It is the only lake in Central Europe formed in a volcano crater. It is the main point of attraction for thousands of visitors. The area surrounding the lake forms a complex geological and floristic preserve.

13.00: stop for having lunch

20.00: having dinner in a guesthouse in Baile Tusnad

Accommodation in guesthouse in Baile Tusnad.

Cycling in Bodoc Mts

Cycling circuit: Tusnad Spa – Balvanyos Spa – Targu Secuiesc

• It’s a m oderate cycling day
• Cycling time: 3 ½ – 4 hours.
• Height differenece: 100 m
• Cycling trip length: 55 km
• Sightseeing objectives: ruins of the Pagans’ Fortress, 10th-13th centuries from Balvanyos, the “Birds Cemetery”, Valea Iadului (The Hell’s Valley) from Turia, the Roman-Catholic church and the lutheran church from Targu Secuiesc.

Proposed day schedule:

8.30: wake up

9.00: breakfast

10.00: packing and leaving Baile Tusnad

10.00 – 14.00: cycling in Bodoc Mountains:

Visit Balvanyos – permanent spa, situated on the eastern slope of the Bodoc mountains (775-800 m in altitude), ruins of the Pagans’ Fortress, 10th-13th centuries, Near Balvanyos is the Puciosul Cave, in the Puciosu Massif, with strong emissions of hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide, as a result of the volcanic activity a million years ago. This gas is highly noxious for people and animals.

Very close there is the place called “Birds Cemetery”.

Visit Valea Iadului (The Hell’s Valley) from Turia, on the eastern side of the Bodoc Mountains, interesting natural preserve due to its mineral water springs and mofettes (emissions of carbon dioxide, sign of a post-volcanic activity in these mountains). Visit the Cave from Turia with sulphur emissions.

13.00: having lunch in Targu Secuiesc

Visit Targu Secuiesc: The Roman – Catholic Church, the lutheran church

20.00 having dinner in Targu Secuiesc

Accommodation in Targu Secuiesc (guesthouse)

Cycling in Intorsurii Mts.

Cycling circuit: Targu Secuiesc – Covasna – Comandau – Intorsura Buzaului

• It’s an medium cycling day
• Hiking time: 4 – 5 hours
• Cycling trip length: 60 km
• Sightseeing objectives: ruins of the Pagans’ Fortress, 10th-13th centuries from Balvanyos, the “Birds Cemetery”, Valea Iadului (The Hell’s Valley) from Turia, the Roman-Catholic church and the lutheran church from Targu Secuiesc.
• Sightseeing objectives: visit the ruins of the Dacian fortress, the preserve “Balta Dracului” (Devil’s Swamp), “mocanita” from Comandau, fortress from Zagon

Proposed day schedule:

8.00: wake up 8.30: breakfast 9.30 – 14.00 cycling in Intorsurii Mts. Visit Covasna: is situated at an altitude of 550-600 m, we can visit the ruins of the Dacian fortress on the Dealul Zanelor (Fairies’ Hill) and the strange geological preserve “Balta dracului”-”Devil’s Swamp”, declared monument of nature, being an emission of mofette gas which has intercepted a water layer. We can visit Comandau Village (1017m), is at 20 km from Covasna. Here there is “mocanita” (a forestry railway with narrow gauge) Visit the frotress from Zagon. 13.30: stop for lunch 20.00: Having dinner in Intosura Buzaului

Accommodation in a guesthouse in Intorsura Buzaului.

Cycling in Siriu Mts.

Intorsura Buzaului – Lunca Priporului – Gura Teghii

It’s an moderate cycling day

• Cycling time: 4 – 5 hours
• Cycling trip length: 55 km
• Sightseeing objectives: Lacul fara fund (Lacul Vulturilor); The living fire

Proposed day schedule:

8.30: wake up

9.00: breakfast

10.00 – 14.30 cycling in Siriu Mts.

13.00: having lunch

Viist the lakes from Siriu Mts.: the anthropic lake (dam lake), 360 ha from Gura Siriului; Lacul fara fund or Lacul Vulturilor (“The Lake witout Bottom” or “The Eagles’ Lake”) – periglacial lake situated at an altitude of 1,420 m in the Siriu Mountains, covering a surface of 0,5 hectares, being devoid of any plant;

Near Lopatari Village we can admire “Focul Viu” (“The Living Fire”) – a monument of nature, where one can see a 0,5 m high flame rising in the wind blow, a natural phenomenon produced by a continuous emission of gases from beyond the surface;

20:00 having dinner in Lopatari

Accommodation in a guesthouse in Lopatari