Every now and then, people ask if I can recommend a long-distance hiking path. I don’t know why they would ask me, of all people, because I am really more of a couch potato myself.

But one thing I know: Eastern Europe is very much underrated. And Romania is particularly wonderful.

Via Transilvanica is a relatively new long-distance path, completed just a few years ago. It traverses all of Romania from north to south (and probably the other way, too), stretching over 1,400 km. I haven’t walked this route yet, but I will dare to pass on this recommendation, because I have had nothing but the best experience anywhere else in Romania.

In 70 daily stages, each covering around a manageable 20 km, the route passes through a wide variety of landscapes, without crossing steep mountains or any other challenging terrain. It is more suited for leisurely hikers who want to get to know the country and its people. For that reason, accommodation with locals is available in almost every village along the entire trail. So if you don’t want to, you don’t have to bivouac or camp a single night.

I found three videos that provide a good overview of this long-distance hiking trail, the different regions and landscapes, and the hospitality. But above all, they show that the Via Transilvanica was and is a project of thousands of volunteers who take care of the trails, maintain the signposts, publish hiking guides and accommodation directories, and involve the local community.

The following second part covers the regions where I was usually stumbling through the forests and across the gentle hills: Szeklerland and Transylvania. From minute 18:40, it enters Mureș County, where I lived in 2014 and 2015.

The hiking trail does not lead through the charming city of Târgu Mureș, but that’s the way it is with trails that mainly want to incorporate nature and village life. But as you will see, there is plenty of culture and impressive architecture even in the smallest villages. I don’t even know if there is another hiking trail that passes through that many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The third part delves deep into Romanian and Roman history. As you may have noticed from the language, there is a connection. (Last year, I had a Romanian Couchsurfing guest staying with me who made the bold claim that Latin was derived from Romanian rather than the other way around, and that the Vatican only exists to suppress this linguistic truth. Otherwise, a Romanian would become Pope and then Romania could finally get back the gold that was stolen by the Soviet Union. Which would make Romania the richest country in the world. Were it not for the Vatican! I gave him a second beer, so he would fall asleep soon. But he was a nice guy.)

In addition, this last episode once again highlights the hospitality, warmth and helpfulness that once led me to feel completely accepted, integrated and at home in Romania.

One thing has probably become evident from the videos: If you want to lose weight or give up alcohol, hiking through Romania won’t help. However, if your mind and soul are more important to you than cholesterol and liver levels, then Romania is the place for you!

Links:

• The official page of Via Transilvanica.
• More reports from and about Romania.
• And a few of my shorter hikes.