After Poland, or Bulgaria, it is another Eastern European country that we are interested in today: Romania. While the country is world-famous as home to the famous Dracula, it has much more to offer its visitors. Indeed, the country has an important cultural heritage with its rich history, but also a nature asset with its wild mountains. It is therefore logical that we propose to discover why hiking in Romania.
Hiking in a variety of landscapes
The country has three notable points in its geography:
- Carpathian Mountains
- Danube Delta
- Access to the Black Sea
Walking in the Carpathian Mountains
Romania alone owns more than half of the area of this mountain range, which is also shared with neighbouring countries: Austria, Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ukraine and Serbia. And when you consider that more than a third of Europe’s large wild carnivores live there, it gives an idea of the richness of wildlife. It often finds shelter in the forests still very present in this mountainous region.
Visit the Danube Delta
This wetland is a windfall for many species of freshwater plants, birds and fish. If the biosphere of this part of Romania has suffered from the communist regime, it is being rehabilitated with various government programs.
A jump into the Black Sea
Whether it’s to take a break in the middle of a long term or to end your stay on a lazy note, the Resorts of the Dead Sea is of undeniable interest.
Enjoying local gastronomy
Romanian cuisine is rather rich in influence with generally very nutritious dishes. These include:
- A cornmeal, a kind of polenta.
- Sarmales: cabbage leaves stuffed with rice and meat
- Mici: small grilled sausages of spicy meat
- Ciorbo Redu-ean: sour chicken soup
- Julf: hemp or walnut cream cake
Visiting Romania’s cultural heritage
Because of its history, Romania has many interesting cultural sites. Indeed, you can get a little scared by walking in the footsteps of Dracula in his presumed castle. On the other hand, it is Bran Castle, Hunedoara or Poenari, it seems that the mystery persists… You can also appreciate the richness of Orthodox culture, of which the interior of the Sihastria Monastery above is an illustration. Or, in a more recent register, since dating from 1993, the statue of King Decante overlooking the Danube.
Enjoy traditional folklore
Music is a staple of traditional Romanian festivals. You can dance in welcoming and playful rounds, while dining on local beers and sausages.
Convinced of why hiking in Romania?
Don’t forget to check your visas, vaccines and other… You can check out our list to remember nothing!
