Hiking and Bear Watching in Romania

Check into your boutique hotel in the heart of beautiful Brasov. Brasov is a fantastic base for a trip, a cosmopolitan and lively place with an alluring blend of ancient and modern. Late in the afternoon, you'll drive to a remote trailhead at the edge of a forest and hike in (for around 20 minutes) to reach an elevated bear hide, tucked away on the edge of a clearing. Settle in and keep your fingers crossed for bears entering the clearing. The hide is ethically run by the local wildlife authority and is similar to a treehouse, so you are in the perfect spot to view the bears from the best and safest vantage point, should they show up. If you’re lucky you might even see cubs! Head back to Brasov for a late dinner to toast an epic first day.

Grab an early breakfast today before driving to Zarnesti, the site of an inspiring animal welfare project – Europe's largest of any kind. The Libearty Bear Sanctuary has been a beacon for change over the past two decades, as the founders campaigned to end bear captivity across Romania and to re-home and rehabilitate formerly captive bears. Many of these bears had been kept in awful conditions, but are now living with 120 other bears in 70 beautifully forested hectares at the foothills of the Carpathians. You'll take a private guided tour around the sanctuary, walking the trails between enclosures and watching the bears a short distance from you (the sanctuary is fenced). There are various pools where you can often see the bears swimming and playing together – a heartwarming sight given the dark history all of these bears share. The sanctuary only offers tours in the morning in order to limit the number of visitors, to give the bears space and peace for the majority of the day. Your visit supports the sanctuary financially and helps them continue their important work.

After lunch, you'll take a short drive through the scenic Transylvanian countryside to the base of the Piatra Craiului mountains, a stunning range nestled in the Southern Carpathians. Set off for a hike, spending the rest of the afternoon on trails in an area of forests and meadows with wonderful views over the Carpathians.

Head out for the second hike of the trip as you hop to another part of the Carpathian Mountains, reaching the trailhead after a 30-40 minute drive. Postavaru Mountain is another stunning natural setting to hike through, taking in the lush green valleys, fresh mountain air and sweeping views of the Carpathians. Circling back to the road after a few hours, you'll head straight on to the legendary Bran Castle, better known as Dracula’s Castle, with its blood-red turrets, eerie rooms and creepy reputation. Have lunch here before exploring deeper inside the castle. Back in Brasov in the late afternoon, maybe grab a beer in the square to watch the light fade, or take the Tampa cable car to the top of Tampa Mountain for a sunset panorama over Brasov, before sampling another restaurant for dinner.

You'll have some free time to enjoy a leisurely morning or to soak up a few more sights in Brasov before your adventure ends. Your host will transfer you to Brasov Airport in time for any early afternoon flights.

Nb. The above itinerary is valid for any trips starting on a Friday. If your adventure begins on a Saturday, your itinerary will run in a slightly different order, as follows, due to restrictions with opening hours: Day 1: Arrival in Brasov. Day 2: Hiking & evening bear hide visit. Day 3: Hiking & Bran Castle. Day 4: Bear sanctuary and departure.