Romania
 

Hi,

I'm planning to go to Romania for approx. 10 days this year by bike; are here any guys who can give me some information what to see, where to stay, etc.

I'm looking forward hearing from you!

cheers, Chris

Hi!

I am living in Romania, so I can help you with informations :-)

Border: no problem (maybe you can wait a bit, but generally there are no problems with border crossing)

Fuel: no problem! there are petrol stations everyvhere in the country, but if you want quality petrol buy from big stations like: OMV, MOL, Lukoil, Petrom, Rompetrol ... (about 1 euro / litre) there are unleaded anywhere (ask if you are not sure unleaded = "fara plumb" in romanian)

Roads: The main (national) roads generally are OK, but the rest are very broken-down-looking.

Advice: Don't drive at night! There are carts and animals and people on the road!

People: generally are friendly, but try to find a secure place for you bike for night.

Hotels: no problems. The cost: from 20-25 euro middle range to the sky (high end)

Tips: Turistically Transylvania is the best followed by Moldova. Buy Lonely Planet and don't miss:

1. Transfagarasan, a road open betwen mid June - October high on the Fagaras mountains (2000 m above the sea level)!

2. Old saschz(?) (saxon) cities Sibiu (Hermannstadt), Sighisoara (Schassburg) with medieval churches and walls

3. Castles: old hungarian castle of Hunedoara (in the middle of a very-very ugly city), the Peles Castle and the Bran castle.

4. Lake St. Ana - a lake in an old vulcano crater

etc ...

Safe road!

Santhasz,

Great Info!

Am going to Romania as well in July/Aug...

Looking forward to it

Cheers
Fernando

Hi Santhasz,


thanks for your information; this is very helpful to plan my trip. Anyway, I'll use the lonely planet guide, too.

It's my first trip to Romania and I'm really looking forward to it!

Kind regards from Graz/Austria, Chris

For those who ride enduro motorbike, do not miss Transalpina mountain pass ( Urdele ) between Rinca and Sugag, veeeery nice, 2142m above see level, that is gravel road.

Scuze me ....

That road should be betwen Alba Iulia - Sebes - Sugag - Pasul Tartarau (1.678 m) followed by a crossrod (Petrosani - Brezoi) and a 2.228 m pass - Novaci.

Or you can go from Petrosani near the lake Vidra.

Anyway, Romania is full with wery nice enduro roads .... just go on a road what are white colour on your map :-)

Other informations:

- you must not carry cash with you - you can use your Visa or Mastercard at the most petrol stations, shops and hotels

- because of the denomination there are old currencies and new currencies in circulations so 10.000 old lei (ROL) = 1 new lei (RON), so don't be surprised if you pay at a petrol station with 500 lei (RON) and get back 4.500.000 lej (ROL). Their name is the same: LEI. Is not it interesting?

- communications: two big companies: Orange and Vodafone (Connex) .... (sounds familiar?) and about 90% coverage. Internet coffes everywhere

- restaurants: try to choose a nice looking restaurant and you'll have no problem. Be care with romanian specialities: "mititei"

- service: car services are in every town, but hope no problem with your bike. If so: ask the people maybe you are lucky. (I go to Budapest or Debrecen (Hungary) with my Suzuki)

.... any questions? :-)

Szabi

Exactly that road. Aproach from Sebes-Sugag is nicer than from Petrosani. Enduro paradise. I have croused that region in a day and met no single motorbike, just several old Dacia cars, according west-europian standards - empty space. There is also very nice monastery nearby lake Oasa, deep into forest.
Regards,
AnteK, XTZ 660

Take a pit-stop in eastern Croatia for a beer and informations reffering Romania :-)
Regards,
AnteK, XTZ 660

I rode to Romania last summer and enjoyed the experience. I can't add anything to what's already been said except, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of Romanian hotels.

They were easily on par with what you find in western Europe.

Some of the secondary roads are in bad shape. If Romania joins the EU & gets some funding to improve their roads, it will make motorcycling there even better than it is now.

.... Or in central Transylvania!!

Hi,

thanks for your invitation :-) I actually do not know my exact route, but maybe I come back to you!
May I ask both of you for your address? If you do not want to post it here, you can send it to my private mail

cheers, Chris

===================
email address in post removed by Grant - see http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/faq.shtml#notify for why. Use the http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/email.gif link above to contact directly, or just post a reply.

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 03 February 2006).]

You can see photos of Transfagarasan and few othe rplaces on Travellers Stories - Kevin Payne. Ask me if more info neededd !

Santhasz -

Can you (or anybody else) recommend some scenic roads in Romania other than the Transfagarasan? I have a good guide to Romania and quite a long list of places I'd like to visit but the guide is intended for backpackers and ignores roads that are worth driving. Don't have to be major ones, I have a Transalp.

Thanks!

Kris

County Maramures (and Moldavia too) on north of the country are fantastic.

Some scenic roads:

1. Mures Valey betwen Arad and Deva (E68)
2. E 81 (Sebes - Sibiu)
3. E574 (Campulung - Rasnov - Poiana Brasov - Brasov) (2 castles: Rasnov and Bran)or Campulung - Rasnov - Predeal - Brasov) between Predeal and Brasov: high traffic!
4. 67C Sebes - Lake Vidra - Novaci (no asphalt, high altitude!)
5. 7A Petrosani - lake Vidra - Brezoi (sections with no asphalt)
6. Tusnad (Road 12) - Bixad - [Lake St Ana (toll 5 RON)] - Balvanyos (ruined castle on the top of the peak)
7. 12 A: Miercurea Ciuc - Frumoasa (lake, but closed) - Lunca de Jos (old HU-RO border) - Palanca
8. 13A Sovata (Salt Lakes - ex. Bear's Lake) - Praid (Salt Mine) continuing with 13 B to Gheorgheni (very good serpent asphalt road, no traffic (at Lazarea old hungarian renaissance castle) continuing with 12C to Bicaz (bad shape asphalt, but must to see that cliffs and the landscape and the Lacu Rosu (Red Lake or Killer Lake as Hungarian people name it)
9. National Road 15: Bicaz - Poiana Teiului - Toplita - Reghin (not very good asphalt)
10. Bistrita - Vatra Dornei (under construction)- Carlibaba - Sangeorz Bai - Borsa - Nasaud - Bistrita (bad shape)
11. Bistrita - Vatra Dornei - (Gura Humorului) - Campulung Moldovenesc - Radauti (old romanian stave churches)
12. NR 15 Danube Valley: Moldova Noua - Orsova - Drobeta Turnu Severin or Orsova - Baile Herculane (generally avoid south Romania if you want scenic roads except this)

You can link all this road:

Hungary - Nadlac - Arad - Deva - Hateg - Caransebes - Resita - Anina - Moldova Noua - Orsova - Baia de Arama - Targu Jiu - Petrosani - Lake Vidra - Poiana Sibiu - Sibiu - Carta - Transfagarasan - Curtea de Arges - Campulung - Rasnov - Predeal - Sinaia - Predeal - Brasov - Sfantu Gheorghe - Bixad - Lake St. Ana - Balvanyos - Targu Secuiesc - Casinu Nou - Tusnad - Miercurea Ciuc - Frumoasa - Lunca de Jos - Frumoasa - Miercurea Ciuc - Odorheiu Secuiesc - Praid - Sovata - Balauseri - Sighisoara - Biertani -Sighisoara - Balauseri - Targu Mures - Balauseri - Sovata - Praid - Gheorgheni - Bicaz - NR 15 - Toplita - Reghin - Bistrita - Vatra Dornai - Campulung Moldovenesc - Suceava - Radauti - Campulung Moldovenesc - Borsa - Nasaud - Dej - Cluj Napoca - Oradea - Bors - Hungary


Huhh ... is that enough?


Courrencies rates: about 3,62 RON / euro, 3,00 RON / USD, the official excange rates: http://www.bnr.ro/Ro/Info/

1 litre benzin (petrol): betwen 3,3 (95 octane) - 3,99 (99+ octane unleaded) RON


Safe Road
Szabi

Just to make clear for oncaming riders, some explanation reffering route cause is not clearly indicated on the road. After passing lake Oasa and pass Tartarau, turn right on next crossing to Petrosani, and after aprox. 2 kms you can see on your left side big boarded sigh that road is not for civil trafic! Here turn left and after 1 km again left, you have to cross over very nice wooden bridge, that is needed route. After bridge, you cannot miss, just ahead!
Regards,
AnteK, XTZ 660

Santhasz -

What a great itinerary! ;-) I do appreciate your job. All route is already plotted in my GPS/mapping software, ready to transfer to a receiver.

Thanks a lot.

Kris

Very nice list of roads which Santhasz has listed up! I did some of them in 2004. Great enduro riding country.

When travelling in Maramures/Suceava I'd suggest to take the small forest roads. There's a scenic dirt road from Borsa to Prislop Pass (better other way round) and another back-country road from Carlibaba via Izvoarele Sucevei to Brodina and Putna monastry.

Although the secondary roads are often in a bad condition as Santhasz wrote, this is absolutely no problem for bikes. Besides that, these roads are less frequented which allows you to enjoy the landscape instead of watching for the traffic. The main roads usually have heavy traffic and some people drive like maniacs ;-)

Hans

Szabi,
I've just seen your itinerary.. now I know where I will spend my 2006 summer holidays!! :-)
Very good work! Thanks a lot!!
Best regards
Winfried

Hi all,

thanks for all those perfect information; now I've got a clear picture where to go/what to see. Just one question left: which currency is better: EURO, USD or ROL ?

Thanks, Chris

RON is best, but Euros as a reserve. The local currency changed in July 05 and it can be confusing as they are still using both - I think 40 New Lire is the same as 4000 old ones and the notes look very similar. Its very confusing at first but luckily I didnt find anyone trying to con me - possibly because it had only just happened and they hadn't thought of it yet. I didn't now this when I arrived and I was worried that it seemed so expensive !

I just dug out some of the addresses where I stayed overnight in 2004:

District Maramures:
- Viseu de Sus, Str. Prislop Nr.82: Pensiunea Nagy. Very comfy, lots of infos on dirt roads in the vicinity. Old steam train.
- Putna, Pensiunea Corola, phone 0230 414 188, cellular 0745 295 149. Comfy, low price. Beautiful monastry.
- Busteni (near Brasov), Str. Plenna Nr.3: Ilie Ion, phone 0244 321 631, cellular 0744 687 768. Nice rooms. No breakfast. Ilie rides a Suzuki and knows nice views in the vicinity.

The better is RON, followed by Euro and USD.
But, because the old lei is changed to new lei (10.000 old lei or ROL = 1 new lei or RON), and to avoid (your) confusion, pay by card, anywhere you can (hotels, restaurants, petrol stations, lot of shops)!
Do not change at black market!

Szabi

A beautiful country. I cycled there 3 years ago. Be aware of DOGS! At least in 2003 there were plenty, but should not be such a problem like when cycling. And also, bear in mind that when it starts to rain it will rain for days or more (I had to wait in Petrosani for 3 consecutive days to stop raining).

qwer1234, can you remember where to find cheap acommodation in Petrosani?

Well, it wasn't very cheap in Petroshani, about 13 euros/night with breakfast.
I stayed in Hotel Onix, on the main north-south street.

Santhasz

I too am going to Romania. Are there plenty of Campsites? Do hotels have garaging for bikes or only rarely?

toby4

Hi!
There are some campings but I think you can forget the european quality campings.
You can bush camp. Although it is illegal, no one will disturb you, if you camp on the mountains or anywhere not close to roads (maybe a bear, some shepherd dogs or some courious locals).

The hotels generally are cheap if you want a decent one and not luxury (25-30 euro with breakfast). I'm sure that anywhere you'll be able to find secure hotel parking place. Generally they haven't garage but their own yards and they close the gate for night. If no, try to find another, or ask for security. Do not let your bike on the street for overnight in big cities (Bucuresti (why to visit it?), Timisoara, Constanta etc). Try to find no Hotel but pension. Theese are generally more cheaper than hotels.

I think there are no real security problems!

Best regards,
Szabi

Hi Santhasz:

Thanks for all the excellent information you have provided so far in this thread, it is wonderful.

I need to ask you a question about meteo in Romania: What is the climate like there around the end of April - beginning of May for the purpose of motorcycle travel? Is there a lot of rain that time of year? Is it cold, with the possibility of snow?

I have a meeting in Germany (Wolfsburg) April 20, and plan to spend the next two months riding. I am trying to decide if it would be best (from a meteo point of view) to head down to Brindisi, go to Greece, then come up through Romania towards late May, or, if it would be possible (not freezing cold) to do Germany - Slovakia - Romania - Greece in late April.

Would appreciate your thoughts.

Michael

Hi to all bike travellers to Romania !

My name is Chris, i'm a motorcycle guide around Cluj Napoca mountains. Don't hesitate to contact me for any issues you may have. If you pass around my town i'll be happy to help you(don’t have to pay anything for that!).Just look for our site transylvania motorcycle tours for contact details, and maybe we can meet and have a chat about where to go what to see in Romania. ha. Cheers Chris.

It may be pleasant spring time weather, or it may be rainy. Cold is unlikely, but not impossible.

Thanks, Ghorian, kind of you to provide that information. Michael

I recommnd using this website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/country_guides/ for average weather condition in a given country.

Kris

I know it's strange to answer like this, but trust me, in Romania at the end of April and begining of May can be realy nice (20-25 C), or as last year, you can wake up in the morning with 20 cm of snow on your bike. So it depends on your luck.

Cheers,

Chris, Transylvania Motorcycle Tours

Thanks, Chris, much appreciated. I think I will go down the Adriatic coast in May, through Greece, and then up through Romania in June, rather than doing things the other way around.

May I trouble you with a question about language? How much difficulty will I have in rural areas considering that I have no knowledge of Romanian? I speak English, French, Portuguese, and can read German. Do the kids study English in school, and if so, what grade level do they start to learn the language? I have found that in other countries (e.g. Poland), even if the adults didn't speak a second language, the kids were usually proficient enough in English to help me out.

Michael

Hi guys, I will go to Romania for the first time in April, I will take part in the Enduromania, have you heard about it - it sounds great! How is about the weather - I hope it won`t be to cold brrrrh.

Perhaps somebody want to join us???

I think that April is too early and that most of mountains will be in snow or roads could be coverd with remains of snow. I am talking about higher atitudes and gravel roads, of course, not paved roads. Weather situation in Romania is similar as in croatian mountains - could be very nice in april and could be complete disaster!
Regards,
AnteK, XTZ 660

[QUOTE]Originally posted by PanEuropean:

I need to ask you a question about meteo in Romania: What is the climate like there around the end of April - beginning of May for the purpose of motorcycle travel? Is there a lot of rain that time of year? Is it cold, with the possibility of snow?

April is cold and rainy. The begining of May is better but expect cold and even snow!! Forget the Transfagaras road until July!
You can see the weekly weather forecast at www.vremea.com

Sz.

A lot of persons speak foreign languages, in Transylvania: Hungarian, English and German are widely spoken by young people. But in rural areas you'll have difficulties. But it is no problem. If you show them on your map where do you want to go, they can help you. Don't worry! It'll be very amazing!


[This message has been edited by santhasz (edited 08 March 2006).]

I recomend for everybody this penzion near VatraDornei
http://www.bebaweb.weber.cz/Rumunsko.../vladimir.html
Vladimir speak anglish and french. He is very friendly!

At Sibiu: Hotel Kon Tiki, str. Tudor Vladimirescu nr. 12, 100 RON (about 30 eur) with breakfast, biker friendly

Sz.

I spent beautiful time in Romania. Urdele pass is for me the best place for my Africa Twin. It is good idea to stay near the lake Vidra and spend some days riding nearby. There is small hotel "bikers friendly" on the northern bank. I paid about 10 euro per night. You can find some of my pics from Romania here: http://tiny.pl/m46d.
Don't forget to visit Sighishoara!

Ya know, from the look of this discussion, it appears that Romania is going to be seriously crowded with foreign motorcycles this summer... http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

I think I had better make my hotel reservations well ahead of time.

Michael

May I suggest you, don't make any hotel reservation?! Because the hotels where you can make reservations are probably the expansivest, and there are a lot of empty pensions all over the country!

Szabi

Hi, hows it going. I'm riding through romania on the was to oz with a few others. should hit the boarder sometime on the 18th april. if anyone fancies a beer and is on route then get back to us, it would be good to hear from you.

here is some info for riding romania across the mountains and off road in the north. hope this helps.

Hello Allen

Seems that our emails have crossed - had just sent to a different emails address for you. Hope the following is helpful. All the best and good luck
Best wsihes
Mike Morton
Transylvania Uncovered


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Travel
Sent: Sat 21/01/2006 08:16
To: Alan Starkey
Subject: Romania travel advice


Dear Alan

Apologies for the delay in replying. I placed your email to one side to answer properly but must have mislaid it with so many enquiries to process this month.

We would be very happy to assist where possible with route recommendations. However, first we need to be sure of your entry and departure points. There are no borders with Slovakia and Ukraine crossings can be tricky without the right documentation and visas beforehand.

My guess is that you will enter Romania in the north west from Hungary. The main crossing is Bors (Oradea) but it can be busy with queues of trucks. The crossing further north at Valea lui Mihai (near Debrecen) would be better and would enable you to easily reach one of the most interesting regions of Romania - Maramures

http://www.beyondtheforest.com/Pages/MM1.html

You would take the main road through Satu Mare and Baia Mare crossing either the main Gutai Pass north to Sighet or, better, the quiet Neteda Pass (Baia Mare - Baia Sprie - Cavnic - side trip to tallest wooden church at Surdesti - Neteda Pass - Budesti etc). The pass takes you down into the superb Cosau valley where time seems to stand still with traditional farming techniques, waterwheels, carved gateways and wooden churches. Roads out of the valley to the main Iza valley road at Calinesti (or via Ocna to Sighet) are unsurfaced but good. Follow the Iza valley east along the main road through a string of villages to Bogdan Voda (side trips up valleys to south to the villages of Pienile Izei, Botiza and Ieud are recommended).

Onward travel depends on your length of stay in Romania. If you are heading into Ukraine the main crossing is in the north east near Radauti. The quickest (and very scenic) route would be as follows:

Left in front of the wooden church at Bogdan Voda over a small unsurfaced pass with amazing panoramic views to Viseu de Jos - Viseu de Sus (steamm forestry railway) - Moisei - Borsa (deep inthe Rodnei Mountains) - Prislop Pass - Bistrita Valley (spectacular scnery, remote landscape to Ciocanesti - pretty houses) - Iacobeni - Campulung Moldovenesc. You are now approaching the region of the famous Painted Monasteries

http://www.beyondtheforest.com/Pages/SV1.html

Best route is left just before Campulung Moldovenesc to Moldovita (monastery, stunning pass) - Sucevita (Monastery) - Marginea - Arbore - Solca - Cacica (saltmines) - Gura Humorului (for side trip to Humor monastery and Voronet Monastery) - Suceava - Radauti - UKRAINE

For a longer trip, deeper and further south into Transylvania youu have two options:

At Bogdan Voda continue up the valley and over the Setref Pass south to Salva then either:

1. Nasaud - Bistrita - 'Borgo Pass' (Hotel Castle Dracula) - Vatra Dornei - Iacobeni (pick up previous route) ... again very scenic and mountainous - easy roads though watch the condition of the etref Pass road which is surfaced but in need of repair.

2. Nasaud - Bistrita - (south west) - Saratel - Reghin (nice open moorland type country) - Targu Mures - Sighisoara (historic walled town - one of best preserved mediaeval townscapes in Europe - heart of 'Saxon Transylvania'

http://www.beyondtheforest.com/Pages/SX1.html

- Rupea ( good detaours availble to fortified churches such as Biertan and Viscri - terrain is rolling hills and woodland filled with distinctive Saxon villages) - Brasov (major town in the southern Carpathians with beautiful preserved old town centre, ski resorts above at Poiana Brasov and nearby attractions including Bran Castle and Rasnov Fortress).

http://www.beyondtheforest.com/Pages/BV1.html

Turn north and head deep into the Hungarian-speaking Szekely country of the heavily forested eastern Carpathians:

Sfantu Gheorghe - Baile Tusnad (spa in forest beside a lovely lake) - Miercurea Ciuc - Gheorgheni - turn east to Lacu Rosu crossing the eastern Carpathians and descending through the spectacular Bicaz Gorges to Lake Bicaz passing the famous 'Magic Mountain' of Ceahlau. The most scenic route is now north along the beautiful Bistrita Aurie Valley to Vatra Dornei (spa) then Iacobeni where you pick up the route above to reach the Painted Monasteries.

These are the best scenic roads. You could detour from Sighisoara westwards to see the old town of Sibiu or south from Brasov to visit Peles Palace at Sinaia (in which case take teh smaller Paraul Rece Pass from Rasnov west of Brasov rather than the concested Predeal Pass and the main road. Avoid the main arterial roads as much as possible. e.g.

Arad - Deva - Sibiu - Ramnicu Valcea - Bucharest

Bucharest - Buzau - Bacau - Suceava

These are very busy with great convoys of trucks travelling between Europe and Asia or Ukraine and can be very stressful. The roads mentioned carry relatively little traffic though take care in villages which often have geese and livestock about ... and plenty of horses and carts. Avoid any driving during the hours of darkness ... there is often livestock and particularly unmarked horses and carts on the road ... you may only see them when you hit them!

You could also call in on the children's charity FARA who run a wonderful organic farm and guesthouse in the tiny village of Spataresti near Falticeni (reached by an easy straight road from Gura Humorului - south eastwards).

http://www.beyondtheforest.com/Pages/SV5.html

Please do not hesitate to call if you need further advice or assistance.
With best wishes

Mike Morton

Transylvania Uncovered

A Division of Talking Point Ltd

1 Atkinson Court

Fell Foot

Newby Bridge

Cumbria

LA12 8NW



Tel: 0845 3000 247

Fax: 01539 530 648

E-mail: travel@beyondtheforest.com

Web: www.beyondtheforest.com



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Hi Guys,
thanks for all those interesting information! I'm really loooking forward to travel there.
By the way, I'm going to visit the Viseu-valley and the wood-train there, too.

Chris

Really, there are a lot of trucks, but you can go near them either by car or by bike, because the trucks have separate gate to cross the border. Generally the border crossing lasts 10-15 minutes.
If you cross at Valea lui Mihai you have to go on a bad shape road. If you want to go to Satu Mare go through the border at Csengersima (HU) - Satu Mare (Ro)

[This message has been edited by santhasz (edited 22 March 2006).]

You might be surprised - if you speak French and Portuguese, understanding written Romanian shouldn't be too tough. Your abilities are beyond mine, so maybe even spoken language might be possible. They will proudly tell you its a Romance language - which it is - and compared to Hungarian or Bulgarian on either side, it is not that difficult even for an English speaker. Certainly menus are probably 50% OK - just try that in Bulgaria...

see some snaps from my trips to Romania

2002 --- http://www.dablyk.com/album4.php

2003 --- http://www.dablyk.com/albumm.php

Romania is a beautiful country with nice people. Go there and explore the area http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

I traveled it three times with Rough Guide

have fun
dablyk

Now, I can answer you: April seems to be miserable wet and the temperature is about 10 grades Celsius daytime.
There are inundations all over the country.
In the mountains there is snow.

Hi! I see you live in Tirgu-Mures. We have non-english speaking friends in TM; would you be kind and send me an email message as I have something non-related to his forum to ask? Thanks, Wim (email: wbajanssen'at'quicknet.nl)

Trip
 

Hi folks!

We (my wife and I) are back from a 4 days trip around south-west Romania.
We tried to go trough the pass Urdele, but the road is closed, so we opted for Sebes - Deva - Petrosani - Targu Jiu road. From here I can recomend you the road to Baia de Arama and Baile Herculane. The landscape is beautiful! The road is not the best but it was OK for a Hayabusa. Anyway we were not in a hurry.
Baile Herculane is a very nice resort, try to find the old centre, and you can feel the Habsburgic wind blowing even if the buildings are in bad shape. It is very easy to find a hostel.
Next day: Baile Herculane - Orsova - Drobeta Turnu Severin - Orsova - Moldova Noua, near the Danube. The landscape .... you have to see that! The road: potholes, potholes, potholes, but you can go easily near them by bike.
At Timisoara Hotel Banat has nice rooms and its own parking place with gate. (120 RON / room for two person + 6 RON bike / night)