Price
2026
14 Nights - €2,990 per person, sharing
Dates & Prices
ROMANIA
Carpathian Wilderness Trail
Overview
Complete freedom, adventure, around the campfire, enjoying the simple life and sleeping under the starlit sky: a stunning 2-week camping and riding trip through the wilderness of the Romanian Carpathians.
On this extraordinary adventure, we explore over 330 km of the volcanic Harghita Mountains. The trail-ride will take you to the beautiful main ridge of the Carpathians with untouched primeval forests, spectacular mountain views and blooming meadows as far as the eye can see. Our route leads us around Lake Sfânta Ana, which is the only volcanic crater lake in Eastern Europe. We will camp at natural campsites, far away from any civilization. Your food is cooked on a pot over a fire in the great outdoors and your belongings are carried on a pack horse. The evenings end socially around the campfire with guitar music, a lot of singing and good conversations. On our 6th day we will let our horses enjoy a much-deserved break. Meanwhile we will visit a cave, a spring, the beautiful Lake Sfânta Ana and watch the native brown bears in their natural habitat. This is the perfect trip for anyone seeking a true riding holiday adventure at the heart of rural Europe!
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
14 nights
When to go
July-September
Riding level
Intermediate to advanced
Weight
90 kg / 14 stone / 198 lbs
Group size
12 max
Accommodation
Home ranch and mobile tent camps
Included
All riding, your guide, full board accommodation and drinks with meals including local alcohol, use of wellness facilities (hot tub), luggage transport, 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 organize 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
19 July – 2 August
23 August – 6 September
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 settling into your room and meeting the horses, our cook Brigitta, will serve up a delicious Szekler dinner, in our rustic log cabin.
Day 2 (2 hours of riding)
Trial day: After a hearty breakfast, we will go on a short ride to discover the area around our ranch. This will allow you to get to know your horse and the equipment. We will be riding through small mountain streams and pass-through vast meadows in order to reach the summit of Mount Magas Büc. Once we’ve reached the peak and had lunch, we will return to our ranch. Here, you will receive a short instruction on how to set up the tents. Our bath barrel filled with salt water will allow you to relax while enjoying the sunset after another delicious dinner.
Day 3 (3.5 hours of riding)
Our great adventure begins: The first riding stage slowly leads us uphill. We will follow a small path, which will lead us to a clear stream, where we will have the opportunity to water our horses and refill our water bottles. Continuing to ride uphill through dense spruce forests we will reach Mount Sípos (1568m). Once we reach the summit, we will stop for lunch and enjoy the breath taking view of the Harghita Mountains. Nourished and full of energy, we will ride to the plateau which will be our campsite for the night. Once we’ve set up our tents, we will prepare dinner together and share some good stories at the bonfire.
Day 4 (5 hours of riging)
After a hearty breakfast from the cauldron, we will descend from the plateau. Once we’ve crossed the Mures River the picturesque Harghita Mountains will stretch out in front of us. Before having our lunch break, we’ll ride up to the next summit (1153 metres) so that we can enjoy the breath-taking view over the Gheorgheni Basin and the Görgenyi Mountains. We will then ride towards the Devil’s Lake. On a remote clearing nearby, we will set up our camp for the night. While our dinner is boiling in the pot, we’ll refresh ourselves in the cold mountain stream and visit a hot spring.
Day 5 (6.5 hours of riding)
Today is the longest and perhaps also the most strenuous day of our tour, as we will be riding up to the two highest peaks, Fertö (1589 m) and Madarasi (1801 m). We will be exploring mountain passes, flowering meadows, enjoy panoramic views and fragrant forests, in which we often find fresh bear tracks. Moreover, we will be spending the night in a beautiful mountain guesthouse 1700 meters.
Day 6 (6 hours of riding)
Via Rákosi Hargita (1756 m) we will be reaching the village of Bad Hargita, where we will stop to have lunch. In the afternoon, wide, puszta-like plains are going to await us. The latter are ideal for quick canters. Today, we will be spending the night at an idyllic camp site, with numerous herds of cows and sheep and a beautiful mountain view.
Day 7 (6 hours of riding)
In the morning, we’ll be riding past the peat bog of Lucs. At a fast trot we will then be reaching Szent Imrei only to continue our route in the direction of Mount Kakukk (1557m). Here you will observe a sudden change in the landscape. The pine forests through which we have been riding so far are replaced by beech forests. Today’s campsite is close to a traditional alpine hut, where we will learn how the shepherds milk their sheep. Also, we’ll have the opportunity to taste the fresh cheese.
Day 8 (6 hours of riding)
We will be riding over a steep ridge with breath taking views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks, which are up to 2500m high. In the afternoon we’ll cross the river Alt. Once we have arrived at a cozy guesthouse, near Tusnad Fürdö, we’ll enjoy a much-deserved hot shower and enjoy a tasty dinner on the terrace.
Day 9 (no riding)
Today, we won’t be riding, we will give the horses a well-deserved day off. After a visit to Lake Sfânta Ana, the Devil’s Swamp and a sulphur cave, we will head off to watch brown bears in their natural habitat. We will be spending another night at the guesthouse near Tunsnad Fürdö.
Day 10 (6 hours of riding)
After a tasty breakfast, we’re going to get back onto our horses. We’ll ride through some small, tranquil villages which are situated near to Mount Büdös. This area is very sulphurous…smelly!! Our journey will take us along the Buffogó Moores and up into the mountains where we’ll reach a plateau where we will canter over its extensive meadows. Close to a beautiful spring and among the shepherds, we’ll be setting up our camp for the night.
Day 11 (6 hours of riding)
We’ll be leaving our campsite via colourful meadows and heaths and enjoy the spectacular view of the mountains surrounding us. In order to get to the next campsite, we’ll be riding through mystical pine forests. Close to a clear mountain stream we’ll set up our tents and go out and collect the firewood we need for the night.
Day 12 (5.5 hours of riding)
Today’s ride will take us to cultivated pastures and farms. Steep ridges and rocky cliffs will be surrounding us, as we’ll marvel at the beautiful view of the Csiki Basin below us. We will spend the night in a tent next to an old farm and watch the farmers as they bring in the harvested hay with the horse-drawn carriage.
Day 13 (5 hours of riding)
Our adventure will lead us through numerous herds of sheep and across colourful meadows. A vast plateau surrounded by mystical cliffs and limestone formations will be our campsite for the night.
Day 14 (7 hours of riding)
On our last day in the saddle, we’ll be riding up some steep mountain peaks (1700m). Occasionally we’ll have to dismount in order to climb up some tricky stretches. Our reward will be a wonderful canter along the Fehérmezö Plateau. Once again, we’ll be able to enjoy the scenic view of the Harghita Mountains as we make our way back to the ranch. Waiting for you is a farewell party with some traditional music and stuffed lamb from the oven. You’ll enjoy your last overnight stay on the ranch.
Day 15 (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.
Tents and camping part
On this trail you will be given your own tent, which you will be given instruction on how to put up – they are pop up and easy to use. You are also provided with a sleeping mattress, but you must bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. You can also bring your own tent.
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 mobile tent camps
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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