Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle), Romania by Florin73m

Transylvania is a wild corner of Europe where untamed forest meets the mountains, forming jagged ridges in the sky. There are a number of impressive mountain ranges in Transylvania including the Făgăraș, Bucegi and the Carpathians. Ensure that you spend at least 8 full days exploring each of these stunning regions. Start off your magnificent European tour with a visit to the medieval town of Brasov.

Brasov is a gorgeous village in central Romania, enveloped by the Carpathian Mountains. There are a range of summer and winter activities for tourists to enjoy including skiing and snowboarding in the resorts during winter as well as swimming at the Aquatic Paradise, roller skating and climbing in the summer. But for those with a wild appreciation for natural beauty, Brasov’s surrounding Prahova Valley is definitely worth the visit. The Valley separates the Eastern Carpathians from the Southern Carpathians and was historically, a passage that led from the principality of Wallachia to Transylvania. You may take a day hike up the Carpathian Mountains and visit the spectacular Seven Stairs Canyon.

Turda Gorges, Romania by Cristian Bortes

Dracula’s Castle

Your exploration of Romania is not complete without a visit to Bran, home of Castle Dracula. The majestic Bran Castle is one of the nation’s most popular landmarks, it was built during the medieval period and is now a museum displaying artefacts collected by Queen Marie. It is speculated that the real Castle Dracula is now in ruins, but Vlad Tepes (The Impaler) used Bran Castle as the headquarters for most of his invasions in Transylvania.

Moldoveanu Peak

Hike to the very top of Romania – look down at the magnificent escarpment below atop Moldoveanu Peak. At 2544m, it is the highest point on the Făgăraș mountain range. You may climb the mountain at any time of the year, but be on the lookout for avalanche warnings during the winter. It can take up to four days to hike the Făgăraș Mountains, with no restrictions on camping but make sure you take with you plenty of food, water and sunscreen as there is very little shade on the mountain. The journey begins at the beautiful glacial Bâlea Lake and you can get there by car. Start your hike early in the morning to ensure you make the most of the daylight.

Pietrosu Mare, Romania by Gavrila Stetco

Accommodation

Book yourself a European tour package with accommodation included. Many deals offer cheap and comfortable accommodation options such as cosy guesthouses or lodges. Some packages even include most meals – but make sure you pack a few sandwiches, some snacks and plenty of water if you’re planning to camp out on the mountains, as there are no dining facilities once you leave the townships.

The countryside of Romania is a gorgeous, often forgotten part of Eastern Europe that is easily one of the most naturally beautiful locations in the world. For those who can’t resist a long hike up majestic mountains and a good social gathering at the pub afterwards, Romania is the perfect holiday escape.

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Vihorlat Mountain is a protected area since 1973 and with the area of 17480 ha it is the smallest protected area in Slovakia. Protected Landscape Area Vihorlat includes several natural reserves such as Lake Morské oko (Marine Eye) and the highest mountain peak – Vihorlat, which reaches an altitude of 1076 m. Then it includes Ďurova mláka which is a typical circular crater in the Vihorlat mountains. In this area you can find a protected peat bog.

One of the parts of Protected Landscape Area Vihorlat is also Popriečny peak, which is 1024 m high, and also natural structure Snina Stone (Sninský kameň), that was created by the lava. Snina stone is about 20 m high and offers wonderful views of the surrounding area. Vihorlat protects about 35 species of plants. The most valuable are the Spring Snowflake, Soldanella carpatica and Telekia speciosa. Vihorlat is also home to 2,000 kinds of vertebrates, 100 species of birds and several species of carnivores (eg wolves, lynx, wildcat, otter).

Protected Landscape Area Vihorlat offers lots of trails. The most popular is the trail that leads from the Lake Morské oko through the Snina stone and ends at Snina’s ponds. The trails are open to the public since 1984.

Kyjovský prales, a primeval beech forest in Vihorlat Mountains, was proclaimed in 2007 by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site due to its comprehensive and undisturbed ecological patterns and processes.

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Protected Landscape Area of the Eastern Carpathians was established on July 9, 1977 with the original area of 96 810 ha. Part of the area was included in the National Park of Poloniny in 1997 and the rest stayed as Protected Landscape Area of the Eastern Carpathians with only 25 307 ha. Best preserved parts of the Eastern Carpathians are protected as national nature reserves.

The area is characterized by rich forests, which are a major component of eco-stabilizing the country and a suitable environment for flora and fauna bound on the forest environment. In the small protected areas are still preserved natural fir beech forests located on flysch slopes of Laborecká highlands.

Natural forest stands are also suitable environment for protected and endangered animals, which live here, like wolf, bear, otter, Ural owl, black stork, black woodpecker, lesser spotted eagle and other species.

Protected Landscape Area of the Eastern Carpathians follows the border with Poland. It stretches from southeast to northwest, in the Low Beskydy.

There is Europe’s largest complex of beech forests and native forests in the Eastern Carpathians. You can enjoy there beautiful and wildlife forests, but various national cultural monuments as well. The greatest tourist attractions are wooden churches.

Protected Landscape Area of the Eastern Carpathians is suitable for activities like hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding and skiing in winter.

THE MOST INTERESTING PLACES
Snina Stone (1005m above sea level) providing spectacular views of the surrounding of Snina.

Marine Eye – the largest volcanic lake in the Slovak Republic, is under Snina stone. It is one of the most beautiful natural lakes in the Slovak Republic.

Astronomical Observatory – located in Kolonica village – is equipped with the largest astronomical telescope in the Slovak Republic.

CULTURE
You can visit the main and essential festival of the region Snina, which is the presentation of local folklore (at the turn of August and September). The name of festival is “Podvihorlatský folklórní festival pod Sninským kamenem”.

Or visit Snina fair which held annually on the anniversary of the first written mention of the town Snina (in September).

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Mountain meadows are typical for this national park. They can be found on mountain ranges in the Bukovské hills/Bukovské vrchy. The most beautiful are near Pľaša, Ďurkovec, Riaba skala and Kamenná lúka/Kamenná meadow.

In Poloniny National Park there are unique cultural landmarks, particularly famous are the wooden churches in Topola, Uličské Krivné, Ruský Potok and Jalová.

The highest peak is Kremenec (1 221 m above sea level). It is the easternmost peak of Slovakia, where three state borders meet (Slovakia, Poland and the Ukraine).

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