Brasov Hiking, History and How to Do it

Brasov Hiking Routes

Brasov hiking routes are amongst some of the best trails in Romania. The city is in the heart of Transylvania and is surrounded by the spectacular Carpathian Mountains. This is the second longest mountain range in Europe and it is spread across Serbia, Romania, Ukraine, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Poland. However, Romania is home to the largest portion of the mountains. The medieval town is quaint and historic and it’s worth spending a little time exploring and learning some of the history of Brasov.

Hiking in Brasov

Nature lovers are spoilt for choice in Brasov. Hiking routes are everywhere so we have put together a brief summary of the different types of hikes you can take when visiting the historic city.

Tampa Mountain – The Afternoon Hike

Brasov sits at the foot of Mount Tampa. This is the most popular and easiest hiking route in Brasov. If you only visit the city for a day – perhaps as a day trip from Bucharest – this hike is perfect. To walk to the top of the mountain you will need about an hour. There are several different routes to choose from and they are well signed. The rocky peak of Mount Tampa is a mere 955 metres.

For a less strenuous option, there is a cable car that will take you near the summit. The cable car runs between 09:30 and 16:00, costs 18 Lei for a return trip (around €3.70) and is closed on Mondays. From the cable car station there is another 5 minute walk before you will be rewarded with some great views across the city.

Although not the highest peak around Brasov, it certainly has its quirks. Any visitor to the city will notice the Hollywood style sign sitting proudly high above the old slate roofs. During Romania’s communist era, Brasov was actually called ‘Stalin City’. In the 1950’s the trees on the side of Mount Tampa were cut down to make way for the Dictator’s name to be spelled out in huge letters.

Since then, the trees and wildlife have returned and the sign has been replaced with the city’s original name – Brasov.

Piatra Craiului National Park – The 1 or 2 Day Trek

If you’re looking for more of a challenging hike, head to the Piatra Craiului Mountains. Less than 2 hours from Brasov there are plenty of options for hiking here. You will find over 70 different trails ranging from intermediate level to highly challenging.

For all you passionate hikers looking to conquer something new, the 25km limestone ridge is a 2 day hike that will test your skills to the limit.

For those of us hoping for something more leisurely, there are many easier hiking routes that will take you from village to village. Don’t be surprised if you come across some free roaming livestock enjoying a relaxing afternoon. Rural Romania is beautiful to explore and has kept many customs alive so make sure you stop for a traditional feast!

Seven Ladders Canyon – The Adrenaline Junkie

Less than 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Brasov is the Seven Ladders Canyon. It takes its name from the sever waterfalls that tumble down the steep gorge. Climbing the rock face has been made easier by the addition of metal ladders that have been fixed to the surface of the rocks. There are nine ladders in total that allow you to climb the narrow, vertical gorge and get up close and personal with the waterfalls. They were all renovated in 2013 to make the popular climb as safe as possible.

There are more trails nearby that can take a few hours. They mostly take you through dense woodland and grassy meadows.

The Seven Ladders Canyon is a popular spot with visitors and locals and several tour companies run from Brasov and Bucharest. If you are hoping to enjoy Mother Nature in peace and quiet, this is not it. But if you are looking for something quite adventurous, energetic and highly rewarding, this is for you. The Canyon is open from March to November and the entrance fee is about €2.

Poiana for Snow Sports

Those visitors who come to Brasov during the winter are in for a treat. Some of the best ski slopes in the country can be found just 20 minutes away in Poiana. There is snow cover here from the end of November until the beginning of March and you can take the bus from Brasov to the slopes.

Of course, during the summer, there are many hiking routes, bike trails and horse riding tours to try out.

Wildlife Around Brasov Hiking Trails

When out hiking, be aware that you are sharing your surroundings with a variety of wild animals, although you are unlikely to encounter most of them. Some of these include the brown bear, lynx, wild boar, beautiful butterflies and a wide variety of birds including the raven, the Ural owl and the black woodpecker.

Less than an hour from Brasov is Liberty Bear Sanctuary. This is a retirement home for bears that have been rescued from zoos, circuses and in private homes.

As always when travelling into the wilderness, keep things beautiful. “Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos and kill nothing but time.”

History in Brasov

If you are staying in Brasov there is plenty to see in the city itself. With its interesting mix of medieval and soviet architecture, it is certainly compelling.

Brasov Old Town

A great place to start is the medieval old town. Take a walk along the ancient streets and admire the stunning baroque buildings. Stop for a coffee in one of the many cafes or take a seat in the vast Square and watch the world go by. There are also several medieval watch towers dotted around the city to keep a lookout for!

The Black Church

Biserica Neagră or Black Church was built by the German community of Brasov in the late 14^th century. It is one of the most striking Gothic monuments in Romania and definitely worth a look if you’re in the area.

One of Europe’s Narrowest Streets

Strada Sforii – or Rope Street – is thought to be the 3rd narrowest street in Europe. At its narrowest point it measure only 111cm so most people can touch both sides at the same time.

St Catherine’s Gate

St Catherine’s Gate is the only surviving medieval gate in Brasov. It was built in 1559 to replace a previous gate that was destroyed in a flood. During Saxon rule, Romanians were forbidden from owning any property within the gates, they had to pay a toll to enter the gates and could only enter at certain times.

Day Trips from Brasov

If you are fortunate enough to have more time in Brasov, there are plenty of amazing day trips to take.

Bran Castle

Bran Castle is probably best known to have inspired Count Dracula’s Castle in the fictional novel by Bram Stoker. Despite the lack of Vampires in the castle these days, it is still a spectacular place to visit. The castle sits up in the mountains and it is easy to see why it has been associated with tales of horror and bloodthirsty monsters. Admission to the castle is 45 Lei (€9).

Peles Castle

Peles is another spectacular castle but very different to Bran. This castle is considered, by those who’ve seen it, as one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. Thought to be more of a palace than a functional fortress, it was built by King Carol in the late 1800s and no expense was spared. It was the first castle in Europe to have electricity, it has hot and cold running water and even has a secret door in the library. Entry to Peles is 30 LEI, or around €6.20, but there is an extra fee if you wish to photograph the interior.

Brasov to Bucharest

The drive from Brasov to Bucharest is just under 3 hours but it is possible to do in a day if you wake early and have a plan. Romania’s capital city is definitely worth a visit.

How to Explore Brasov Hiking and History

Brasov hiking routes are plentiful, varied and easy to access. Here is a mini, practical guide that will help you on you hiking trip to Brasov.

When to visit Brasov

This entirely depends on what you want to do there. The late spring and summer months are best for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding, whereas you’ll need to visit between December and March for the snow season.

Where to stay

Brasov is a popular destination with Romanian and European tourists. This means there is plenty of choice for great accommodation.

For the Budget traveller, try an ApartHotel. They are central and very reasonably priced.

For something sophisticated, Casa Wagner is right in the centre of the action and you get to stay in a 600 year old building!

For a little luxury, head out towards Poiana and try out the spectacular 5 star Poiana Brasov Alpin Resort Apartment with a spa and beautiful views.

How to get to Brasov

The nearest airport to Brasov is Sibiu (SBZ) Airport which is 118.4 km away. However, there are far more international flights going into Bucharest (OTP) which is 125.5km away.

From Sibiu it is an easy drive to Brasov if you chose to hire a car. Otherwise, you can take the bus directly from the airport for under €15 which will take 2.5 – 3 hours.

If you arrive in Bucharest there are plenty of places to hire a car for your stay. If you prefer to use public transport (often advisable in the Balkans) then there is a bus that leaves directly from the airport and takes about 3 hours. There is a good and comfortable train service from Bucharest to Brasov but you will have to take a taxi or local bus from the airport to the station first. By far the fastest option is to take a taxi but it will cost up to €90.

**schedules are varied just now due to covid-19**

How long to stay in Brasov

There is so much to do in this beautiful medieval city and its stunning, wild surroundings. It would make a great weekend break where you could easily appreciate some culture in the city and have time to explore some of the mountains. However, if you’re hoping to see a bit more of the country, and perhaps take some day trips, there is plenty to keep you busy for a whole week or more.

What to Pack for Hiking in Brasov

We have put together a convenient packing list for your hiking trip to Brasov. This list is perfect for day hikes!

• Hiking boots or shoes
• Backpack with waterproof cover
• Snacks (bars, chews, trail mix, sandwiches)
• Water bottle
• Weather appropriate clothing such as windbreaker, hiking socks, buff/hat, and fleece. Make sure to wear layers to account for the changing conditions
• Headlamp (for the cool kids)
• Trekking poles (optional)
• Personal hygiene supplies (plastic garbage bags, toilet paper etc.)
• A basic first-aid kit (just in case)
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Map or downloaded GPS or map application on your phone
• Phone (plus power bank if required)
• Decent camera with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery

Hiking in Brasov

Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. As a result, we would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.

Have you visited Romania or any other Balkan countries? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!