Price
2026
7 Nights - €1,690 per person, sharing
Dates & Prices
ROMANIA
Carpathian Mountain & Bear Trail
Overview
8-days trail-ride through the romantic wilderness of the Carpathian Mountains. You will follow hidden paths, pass through mysterious spruce forests, ride up to mountain plateaus, enjoy picturesque views and most importantly, you will follow fresh bear tracks.
Experience an unforgettable adventure in Székely Land. Become part of a world in which time seems to stand still; here mountain farmers still cultivate their fields with working horses and countless shepherds spend their days tending the flock, roaming freely through the mountains. On the back of our crossbred Lippizan horses you can daydream, let your soul wonder and enjoy the splendor of nature. Accompany us on a journey off the beaten track, through time and through this very special country. On the third day of our adventure, a special highlight awaits you: During a bear observation you will get to see the native brown bears in their natural habitat.
Your Hosts
Nestled high up in the Carpathian Mountains, at 1250 meters, this idyllic ranch at the heart of Transylvania helps you get away from it all. All year round, the horses roam freely through the lush mountain meadows surrounding the ranch. Csaba from Romania and Katrin from Germany as well as their hard-working staff, are always striving to provide our guests with an unforgettable experience in the great outdoors.
Csaba
Born in the Székely Land and raised in the Carpathian Mountains, Csaba is the founder of Hipparion. Growing up in the mountains has instilled a deep-rooted love for the outdoors and horses within him. At the age of four, Csaba accompanied his grandfather taking the carriage to the mountains to supply the local workers with food and to transport wood from the forests to the valley down below. Thus, his journey began exploring the Carpathians and fostering a strong connection with the horses. As a young boy, Csaba started to ride horses with the intention to treat the latter fairly and with respect.
After having done an agricultural internship in Germany, he first started to work as a professional rider in Hungary before completing his studies in Tourism Management at the University of Cluj-Napoca in 2015.
In the Carpathians and Transylvania, where the adventures run, Csaba is familiar with every path, as well as the locals and is keen to share many good stories and his knowledge about the regional culture with you.
Katrin
Originally from the South of Germany, Katrin was raised in a rural environment and started to ride from her early childhood on. After having obtained her degree in violin studies, she worked as a violinist, devoting eight years of her career to music. However, her passion for horses, adventure, the outdoors and Csaba brought her to Transylvania in early 2017.
Location
Gheorgheni, Romania
Airport
Cluj Napoca, Sibiu, Targu Mures or Bucharest
Duration
7 nights
When to go
May-October
Riding level
Intermediate to advanced
Weight
90 kg / 14 stone / 198 lbs
Group size
12 max
Accommodation
Home ranch and guesthouses
Included
All riding, your guide, full board accommodation and drinks with meals including local alcohol, use of wellness facilities (hot tub), saddle bags, plus transfer from Gheorgheni to the mountains and back.
Extras
None.
Excluded
International flights to Romania and tips.
Price guarantee
All our riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book with us and will refund the difference should you find the same riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.
Exchange rate
Rates are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations, please refer to our Terms and Conditions for full details.
Transfers
Nearest airports are Cluj Napoca, Sibiu, Targu Mures or Bucharest.
From all airports you can reach the destination by train
You can find all connections at www.cfrcalatori.ro/en/ Enter 'Gheorgheni' as the destination. A prior reservation is usually not necessary, tickets can be purchased cheaply on site. The prices for the single ticket range from approx. 70-80 lei (approx. €15) for regional trains to 120 lei (approx. €26) for express trains. If you have difficulties finding train connections, we can help.
We can also organise transfers from all airports
Bucharest airport to the horse riding station: €190 per car / route, maximum 4 people, approx. 5-6 hours, 350 km
Cluj Napoca airport to the horse riding station: €140 per car / route, maximum 4 people, approx. 4 hours, 220 km
Targu Mures airport to trail riding station: €105 per car / route, maximum 4 people, approx. 3 hours, 130 km
Sibiu airport to the horse riding station: €140 per car / route, Max. 4 people, approx. 4 hours.
Departure dates
2026
17 – 24 May
7 – 14 June (fully booked)
28 June – 5 July
9 – 16 August
13 – 20 September
04 – 11 October
Riding & Itinerary
Day 1 (no riding)
After your arrival in Gheorgheni, we will take you on an adventurous off-road ride: In our van we will take you to our Hipparion Ranch, which is remotely located in the Eastern Carpathian Mountains. With a little luck we might spot a deer, a capercaillie bird or even a bear. Once you have arrived on our ranch, you can unwind after your long journey by immersing yourself in the warm salt water of our Hot Pot. After having met the horses and settled into your room, our cook Brigitta, will indulge you with an original Szekler dinner, in our rustic log cabin.
Day 2 (5.5 hours of riding)
After breakfast, we will discuss the details of our tour together. Then you will pack your day’s luggage into the saddlebags and we will start the first part of our tour, on which you can get to know your horse a bit better. We will follow a small path that will lead us to the source of the Olt, the second largest river in Romania. At its source, we will water our horses and continue to ride uphill through dense spruce forests and towards Mount Sípos. Once we have reached the summit (1568m), we will stop for lunch and enjoy the breath taking view of the Harghita Mountains. Nourished and full of energy, we will then ride downhill over flowering mountain meadows and into the Gheorgheni valley, where the open plains are ideal for short canters. We will spend the night in a comfortable mountain guesthouse.
Day 3 (7 hours of riding)
The longest day in the saddle awaits you. After a rich and typical Romanian breakfast, we will ride up a steep trail to the summit of the mountain “Del Hegy” (1650 m). The intricate path promises to be adventurous. Occasionally we will need to dismount and hike a little way with our four-legged friends. Possibly we might spot some fresh bear tracks along the way. For lunch we will stop on a meadow with view of the snow-covered peaks of the “Kelemen Alps” (2100 m). Once we’re back in the saddle, we will head towards a volcanic mountain plateau, which offers a spectacular view of the village “Szekely Varsag”. We will be staying here for the night. In the pension you will be indulged with local specialties and a roast lamb from the oven. The bath barrel which is filled with saltwater invites you to relax after this long day.
Day 4 (5 hours of riding)
In the morning we will ride around the area surrounding the village Székelyvarsmg. Having passed fields and cultivated land we will reach another wild mountain range. In former times the “Road of the Salt”, an old trade route, crossed through this area. You will experience how difficult it was to pass through this terrain. We will ride through thinly distributed forests and reach a wide, open plain where numerous shepherds keep watch over their flock. You will spend the night in a former riding-stable, which has been converted into a cosey guesthouse. After having been greeted by our host Istvmn with Palinka and homemade cheese pastries, you will be taken on a bear safari. From a safe distance, you will observe the brown bears while they are feeding, playing or even mating. Back in the pension a hearty dinner will be awaiting you: goulash, homemade dumplings and fresh porcini mushrooms as well as chanterelles to feast on and enjoy.
Day 5 (5 hours of riding)
In the morning we will say farewell to our host Istvan and his team and continue our trail-ride. Today we will reach the Harghita plateau, where we will have the opportunity to trot and canter. Once we have passed the Zetelaki water reservoir and the Sikasszó brook we will be in the southern part of the Gheorgheni-Alps. On our way to our accommodation in Liban, we will be riding through dense pine forests.
Day 6 (6 hours of riding)
After breakfast and saddling our horses we will once again return to the wilderness. On small paths we will ride uphill to the summit of the “Ostorosz”, from which you will enjoy the breath taking view of the Madarasi Mountain Range. After crossing the Maros River, we will arrive in the tranquil village Marosfö, where we will be accommodated in a small family-run guesthouse. The homemade apple pie will be awaiting you.
Day 7 (4 hours of riding)
On your last, shorter riding day you will once again riding up to the summit of Mount Sipos. From there we will ride along a clear mountain stream which will guide us back to our ranch. After releasing our horses, you will have time to relax, to review the week and to talk to your fellow riders at the campfire about the exciting adventure you have all had. Our cook will be preparing fresh trout for dinner.
Day 8 (no riding)
The time has come to say goodbye. After a hearty breakfast, we will drive you to Gheorgheni, from where you will start your individual journey back home. And the hope you return again…
Horses
Cross bred Lipizzaner horses with native horses
Riding level
Intermediate to advanced
Type of riding
Progressive trail ride
Tack
Local bridles with snaffle bits and comfortable German long distance saddles
Weight limit
90 kg / 14 stone / 198 lbs
Group size
12 max
Accommodation & Meals
The Ranch
Picturesquely situated at 1250 meters in the heart of the Eastern Carpathian Mountains, the ranch allows you to get away from it all! Without any mobile phone reception and far away from civilization, you can relax and fully enjoy the silence and the spectacular nature around you.
All rooms have a small bathroom with running warm water.
Log style cabin called Tiny House, which was completed in 2020 and offers space for up to 4 people and is equipped with a private bathroom and a 2-person bathtub.
Main guesthouse, an original Csango farmhouse from 1910, offers space for up to 16 people. The comfortable, oven-heated rooms are furnished in the rustic style that is typical of Romania.
A camp site, about 200 meters from the main buildings, which offers you the opportunity in the warm summer months to sleep in the middle of nature under the stars and sit with other guests around the campfire in the evenings and wake up to birdsong in the mornings. There are outdoor showers in the forest within easy walking distance.
Also, for your relaxation and comfort after a hard day riding, is the Hot Pot, a spacious bath barrel filled with salt water which accommodates 6 people and invites you to relax in the evenings. Immersed in the pleasantly warm water and with a glass of wine, you can enjoy watching the sunset whilst chatting about your day in the saddle.
Whilst staying at the ranch you will be surrounded by their herd of Hungarian grey cattle which roam the meadows around the farm together with the horses since 2020. They are an ancient breed, very slowly growing Hungarian steppe cow, which is threatened with extinction. The peculiarities of the “szürke marha”, as they are called in Hungarian, are their exceptionally long horns and their ability to adapt to harsh climates, so that they are able to live free-range at the ranch all year round.
Food
Meals are taken in the log home dining room. In the mornings and in the evenings, you will enjoy regional delicacies which are freshly prepared each day by their kitchen fairy cook, Brigitta. The food is of high organic standard and locally produced. Brigitta’s cooking has a Romanian, Hungarian and Armenian influence.
Breakfast is usually several different types of home-made salami, sausages and cheese, as well as different types of homemade jam, several homemade chutneys, home baked or local breads. There is one or two hot dishes and including eggs and pancakes.
Lunch is picnic style, bread, salami, cheese, vegetables, fruits and local chocolate.
There is some late afternoon cake, tea and coffee after your ride.
Dinner is usually soup to start followed by a main dish, fresh fish, local meat, pizza from their own pizza oven along with fresh vegetables, salads.
Vegan meals are not possible on this trip. Lactose & Gluten free meals can be provided but will be simpler and less diverse.
Accommodation
Home ranch and guesthouses
Single Supplement
Not always possible, please enquire
Meals
Vegan meals are not possible on this trip
Drinks
Drinks at mealtimes included.
The Destination
The Carpathian Mountains in Romania form an arc around the Transylvanian plateau, stretching over 900 km and encompassing roughly one-third of the country. They are divided into three main groups—the Eastern, Southern, and Western Carpathians—and are known for their diverse landscapes, including ancient forests, and as a habitat for wildlife like bears, wolves, and lynx. Romania is home to over half of the Carpathian range, with activities like hiking, wildlife watching, and exploring villages being popular tourist attractions.
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