Via Ferrata tours

Program route: Băile Tușnad/Tusnádfürdő - Tușnadu-Nou/Újtusnád - horse-drawn carriage ride to Harghita - return home   Program description: After breakfast, on this day we try to explore and get to know the surroundings of our accommodation. For the first time we will get acquainted with the location of our accommodation in the spa resort of Tușnad/Tusnád. We walk around the city, see the main buildings, baths, and, depending on the time, visit the Apor Bastion, which rises above the city and offers an unparalleled view of the city and the surrounding mountains. Then we drive to the neighboring settlement, Tușnadu-Nou/Újtusnád, where we can try home-baking bread or the most famous Szekler delicacy, chimney cake (kürtőskalács) baking. Afterwards, we board horse-drawn carriages and hike to the picturesque surroundings of the Harghita Mountains, trying out the local gastronomic delicacies. We bake homemade bacon, miccs and ribs, which we rinse with Csíki Beer. We can walk among the pine forests, relax, admire the pine forests of the Harghita Mountains, sing and have fun. Return to the accommodation, dinner. Program location: Harghita county Micro-region: Băile Tușnad/Tusnádfürdő and surroundings Program price: 230 RON / person, of which • horse-drawn carriage + lunch + baking: 200 RON / person • guided tours, group accompanying all day 40 RON / person

Program path: Băile Tușnad/ Tusnádfürdő – St. Anne's Lake – Mohos Peat Bog – lunch in nature – Tórja Stinking Cave - foot soaking in the Apor Girls' Baths or Csiszárfürdő – return home (this day can be done even by off-road vehicle)   Program description: After breakfast, we invite the dear passenger to an experience-rich program. In the first part of the day, we will climb the Ciomatu/Csomád Mountains in a short time. First we reach St. Anne's Lake, 946 meters high, which is considered to be one of the clearest water lakes in the world and the only volcanic crater lake in the Carpathian Basin. We get acquainted with the formation and operation of volcanoes at the time, we take a pleasant walk on the shores of the lake. After that, we also walk into the Mohos Peat Bog, which reveals a wonderful world in front of the dear traveler, with its own unique history, plants, pond eyes and unparalleled surroundings. After visiting the beauties of nature and the volcanic twin craters, we invite our dear visitors to a lunch in nature. We clink our glasses filled with Szekler sparks (pálinka), and enjoy the bacon, the miccs, the onion, the delicious homemade bread, and we rinse it all off with a delicious Csíki Beer. In the afternoon we will also visit the eastern part of the Ciomatu/Csomád Mountains, where we will discover the present traces of former volcanoes. First, we try the mofetta at the largest hydrogen sulphide cave in Europe, the Stinking Cave in Torja, then we soak our tired legs in the wooden pools of the Apor Girls' Baths and of Csiszárfürdő. We will have an unparalleled experience. Return to the accommodation in the evening, dinner. Program location: Harghita and Covasna counties Micro-region: Tusnad Bai/Tusnádfördő and surroundings Program price: 280 RON / person, which includes: • off-roading to St. Anne's Lake + lunch: 220 RON / person • visit to St. Anne's Lake and Mohos Peat Bog + parking: 20 RON / person • guided tours, group escorts for the whole day: 40 RON / person

Thanks to the support of the Harghita County Council, at the village of Corbu/Gyergyóholló has completed the installation of an approximately 150-meter ironed climbing trail, including a 15-meter suspension bridge and a vertical section with rungs of 15 meters. As a result of the activity of Eco Climb Association, a spectacular high-mountain route, category D and E, completes the 2018 Falco Peregrinus trail, contributing to an area where mountain and climbing enthusiasts find varied routes, right to their preferences and physical fitness. 47°01'12.7"N 25°42'00.7"E Photo: facebook.com/Via ferrata Piatra Șoimilor

Challenge your inner explorer with a day trip to the Transylvanian countryside to an off-the-beaten-path location where you can meet talented craftsmen, visit locals in their homes, learn about the local lifestyle, then join a bear watching tour in the wild at dusk. Life in the dispersed mountainous village of Varsag is fascinating and harsh in the same time. People still live like 50 years ago, earning a living from subsistence agriculture and forestry. Many houses are scattered in the heart of nature kilometers away from any facility like a school, a shop or a church. Neighboring houses can be separated from each other by a forest or by a field or meadow. The landscape is breathtaking with numerous mineral spings, crystal clear streams rich in trouts, pastures covered by wild flowers, glimmering waterfalls and dense forests rich in game. Step back in time and experience the greatness and simplicity of the locals living in Varsag, then see wild brown bears in their natural habitat from the security of one of the many wildlife hides operating in the area. Highlights of the tour:  Explore the dispersed mountainous village of Varsag (79 km from Sighisoara)  Get acquainted with the old craft of shingle-roof making and other traditional crafts  Ride on a horse-drawn cart to absorb the local atmosphere  Visit the picturesque 7 m high Csurgoko waterfall  3-hour close encounter with native wildlife in their natural environment  Spot brown bears and possibly other species like deer, wild boar, fox, badger or game birds  Enjoy the Carpathian forests silence and the excitement of waiting for bears to come  Informative, friendly and professional guide  Small group ensures personal service  Flexibility to customize your itinerary to your own preferences  Meet your guide in Odorheiu Secuiesc (47 km from Sighisoara) and ride almost an hour to one of the most dispersed villages of the Eastern Carpathians, to Varsag, where 60% of the area is woody and the inhabitants live kilometers away from each other. Along the way you will ride through colorful Szekler villages by the Tarnava Mare River, pass by the picturesque Zetea dam lake, then wind through a narrow road leading among dense forests until you arrive to Varsag. Here a horse drawn cart will await you to start your discovery tour. Visit a local pub and spend some time interacting with the locals. This isolated community with its friendly and welcoming locals will fascinate you. Enjoy some snacks and local brandy while they tell you about their daily lives and amuse you with some funny stories. According to local legends, the village covers an area comparable in size to the territory of the Romanian capital with only 1500 inhabitants living there. Ride the cart and visit traditional craftsmen like the blacksmith, the shingle-roof maker and a wood carver, watch them at work and listen to their stories. Taste delicious local produce, visit a 100 year old still-functioning watermill, capture the 7 m high Csurgoko waterfall and climb up on a 3 m high look-out tower which offers panoramic views of the dispersed houses and farms and of the surrounding Carpathian Mountains in the distance.  One-hour before dusk an experienced local ranger, will take you with his 4wd car deep into the forests of the Eastern Carpathians which have one of the largest population concentration of brown bears in Romania. Occupy your place in the hide, stay quiet, listen to the forest wildlife sounds and enjoy the excitement of waiting for bears to come. Usually we are successful in seeing bears, but as there are wild animals involved, nothing is guaranteed. If you are lucky, you may observe bears feeding themselves, playing together, courting and mating, and even other species like wild boars, roe deer and red deer, fox, badger and some game birds. After approximately 3 hours watching, head back to the car accompanied by your guide and ride back to Odorheiu Secuiesc. The entire trip takes 9 to 10 hours. Be prepared and wear hiking boots, weatherproof clothing and bring binoculars, camera, extra battery and memory card to record this unique experience.

Experience the thrill of rock climbing with this 1.5-2 h via ferrata adventure on the rocky walls of the Kiscohard Massif! This engineered vertical adventure powered by metal rungs, fixed iron ropes and an aerial bridge, is totally secure and perfect for those of all experience levels. Strap on your harness and follow the instructions of your guide, conquer your fear of height and enjoy the gorgeous scenery of Red Lake, the surrounding mountain peaks and the Bicaz Gorges from above. With a secured route and all necessary equipment provided, this fully guided tour is a family-friendly outing. Exciting 1.5-2 hour Via Ferrata experience in the Eastern Carpathians Stunning views of Red Lake, the Bicaz Gorges and the surrounding mountains Full instruction and equipment provided, no experience needed Whether you’re new to the climbing world or an experienced pro, this Via Ferrata tour is a great way to challenge yourself and get a bird’s eye view of Red Lake, the Bicaz Canyon and its surroundings. It’s all made possible by climbing a series of iron cables and ladders, each of which provide a safe, protected, way to challenge yourself and gain a unique viewpoint above this amazing natural area. Travel to Red Lake or Lacu Rosu in Romanian to meet your professional guide, who will teach you the ins and outs of Via Ferrata and explain how to use your equipment, ensuring a safe and fun ascent. Along with a helmet, you’ll be provided with a harness and lanyards, made up of two leashes that are clipped onto the cable for safety. Then it’s time to begin your climbing challenge above Red Lake resort. With the entire route secured in this manner, Via Ferrata is a family-friendly activity. As you make your way up guided by a series of fixed cables and ladders, stop to admire the scenery. In the second half of the trail you will also need to cross the trails iconic suspension bridge. Here you may write down a few words about your experience in the trail’s guestbook hidden at the end of the bridge. Your Via Ferrata adventure ends at the top of the 1345 m high Kiscohard or Suhardu Mic Massif where we can rest for a while, discuss the thrills of the tours and even trek a bit to get a glimpse of the Bicaz Gorges from above. From the peak we hike down and get back to the cars on a hiking trail. Please note that while no prior climbing experience is necessary, guests should be fit enough to climb a ladder.

Carpathian Escapes was created to allow the world to discover a most beautiful part of Europe, a hidden secret, the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania.  Carpathian Escapes is a fully bonded travel agency that was funded with an EU grant obtained by local enthusiasts who have joined together to provide various trips for those seeking an active holiday with breathtaking sights whilst surrounded by the peace and tranquility rarely found today. Guided by the volunteers from the mountain rescue team the Escapes daily programs offer snow mobile trails, hiking routes and ski touring to challenge all levels. These Escapes take you back in time to where the local people still live as they have for the past fifty years. Accommodation has been selected to allow you to experience the life there, in essence an Escape from the modern day world and stresses of the western lifestyle.

Administration of Súgó Cave Natural Reservation; Organizer of Gyilkostó Adventure Race

The "Goat Danger" via ferrata was built in the summer of 2012 on the Kecskevész rock on Harghita-Mădăraș mountain. Free access Total length 200 m (2 routes) Level difference 60 m Difficulty: left route B / C, right route C / D Access GPS: 46 ° 27'16.4 "N 25 ° 33'51.9" E or 46.454556,25.564417 GPS Start Via Ferrata: 46 ° 27'23.8 "N 25 ° 33'51.4" E or 46.456611,25.564278 Travel on the access path: 10 min Duration via ferrata: 20 min + Back trip: 10 min Total time: 40 min + Minimum age 14 years Optimal time: May to October, avoiding rainy days when the rock becomes slippery

Red Lake, Bicaz Gorge, Harghita (English) (C/D) The “Wild Ferenc” via ferrata route was opened in autumn 2016, in Suhardul Mic mountain (1345m), near Red Lake, in Bicaz Gorge, Harghita county. It is named after a well known local climber, the author of the only topo map of Bicaz Gorge.  The route was built by the Dancurás Mountain Rescue Team from Gheorgheni, Harghita county. • Free access  • Length 200m (1 route)  • Vertical climb 173m  • Difficulty C/D  • GPS access / Parking: 46°47’41.8″N 25°47’52.4″E or 46.794944,25.797889.  • GPS Start Via Ferrata: 46°47’54.3″N 25°47’36.4″E or 46.798428,25.793445.  • Access hiking duration: 20 min  • Via ferrata duration: 50 min+  • Return hiking duration: 30 min  • Total time: 2 hours+  • Minimum 14 years old Photo: Keresztes Emil, Tatár Attila