Discover Maramures by bike
7 days / 6 nights
Romania - Transylvania - Leisure cycling - Self-guided
Without guide
Last updated: 30/11/2023
Maramures is situated in a hollow ground in the heart of the Romanian’s Northwest Carpathian Mountains. The inhabitants of this region have known how to preserve their traditions and their folklore and you can admire the woolen traditional costumes, the flowery skirts, the colored head scarves which cover women’s head and the traditional hats which crest the men’s ones.
Although surrounded by Ukraine, Hungary, and Transylvania, Maramures presents an unmistakably cultural unity. One of the aspects of this common heritage is the architecture: here, the majority of houses are wooden built, according to an ancestral and proven technique. All the villages count at least a few centuries old wooden church (among which some are registered with the UNESCO world heritage list).
The region lives essentially on its natural resources, especially on the farming and on the forest exploitation. Come and discover the sweet hills, and fields covered with flowers during the springtime, and forests with plenty of mushrooms and wild berries. The fieldworks reflect the seasons and add an updated charm to this bucolic region.
Although bordered by Ukraine, Hungary and Transylvania, Maramures presents an unmistakably cultural unity. One of the most clear aspects of this common heritage is the architecture: here, the majority of houses are wooden built, according to an ancestral and proven technique. Each village counts at least one few centuries old wooden church. Some of them are even registered as a UNESCO world heritage site.
The region lives essentially on its natural resources, especially on the farming and on the forest exploitation. Come and discover the sweet hills and fields covered with flowers during the spring time, and forests with plenty of mushrooms and wild berries. The fieldworks reflect the seasons and add an undated charm to this bucolic region.
Your day by day program
Arrival in Sighetu Marmatiei. Optionally, private transfer from Cluj Napoca Airport (3 hours) / Baia Mare Airport (1 hour 30 minutes) to your first accommodation, or train from Cluj (6 hours) or Bucharest (14 hours, sleeping car). Free evening. Dinner included. D
After breakfast, you begin your adventure with a loop which will bring you on the outskirts of the town of Sighetu Marmatiei, the old capital of Maramures: to visit the Memorial of the Communism Victims, a museum situated in the former political prison, which will give you a sad testimony of the Romanian dark years. You can then have a coffee break on the pedestrian street at one of the cafes and stroll through this city which is also a border point with Ukraine. This is also the hometown of Holocaust survivor and Nobel Prize winner, Elie Wiesel. A first taste of the region’s landscape and charm. (~40km, +/-500m) BLD
Today, our route will bring us through typical and charming villages of the region. We can admire houses, churches and monumental portals with symbolic or everyday life scenes carved in wood. We will arrive in the charming village of Breb, a hidden gem surrounded by the Carpathians. We will spend the night at a traditional guesthouse. (~30km, +/-400m) BLD
Today you will leave Breb and bike further on the Iza Valley. You will pass villages like Budesti and Valeni, where you will be able to admire the tranquillity of the Maramures' life. In the village of Barsana you can stop and admire the craftsmanship of the wooden church, located above the village. Your destination for today is the village of Botiza. (~40km, +/-600m) BLD
Moving further today to Viseu Valley. On your way you can stop and visit the church from Ieud, the oldest wooden church from Maramures, also part of UNESCO heritage. You'll cross Iza river and you'll be getting closer to the Ukrainian border, passing through beautiful villages. You arrive in Viseu de Sus, the home of the steam train Mocanita. (~47km, +/-400m) BLD
In the morning, you'll ride the steam train from Viseu de Sus. It will take you through breat-taking landscapes, a cool forest that was once a battlefield in WWI and stop at the end of the track for lunch. While eating a delicious meal, you can closely admire the artwork of the steam engine. Once back, you take your bike and ride to a nearby village, where you'll spend the night. (~20 km, +/-100m) BLD
You leave your bikes today. Then, you will have a private transfer back to Sighetu Marmatieij. End of the tour. Breakfast included (Optionally, return to Bucharest by night train from Sighetu Marmatiei, to Cluj Airport by private transfer or train, or to Baia Mare Airport by private transfer) B
Departure board
From April to the end of October, response within 48 hours, from monday to friday.
Technical information
- Sighetu Marmatiei (hotel / train station / bus stand). Optional transfers from Bucharest / Baia Mare / Cluj.
- Sighetu Marmatiei (hotel / train station / bus stand). Optional transfers from Bucharest / Baia Mare / Cluj.
- 6 Nights in guest-houses in double rooms, exceptionally shared facilities.
- Minimum of 2 people.
- 7 days of which 5 cycling. Medium level (40Km a day, with usually gentle climbs and a few steeper parts).
- Luggage will be transferred from one guesthouse to the other.
- Bike rental during the trip : 180€
- Single supplement : 190€
- Single traveler supplement : 370€
- Hike day with local guide & extra night in Botiza village, price per double room (2 persons) : 130€
- Private transfer Cluj - Sighetu Marmatiei (one way, around 3 hours, 1-3 people): price / service : 270€
- Train Cluj - Sighetu Marmatiei (train during the day, about 6 hours, one way): price / person : 12€
- Train Bucharest - Sighetu Marmatiei (night train, sleeping car, about 14 hours, one way): price / person : 84€
- Private transfer Baia Mare - Sighetu Marmatiei (one way, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, 1-3 people): price / service : 105€
- The accommodations
- meals (6 breakfasts, 5 picnics and 6 dinners in our guesthouses)
- roadbook
- maps
- luggage transfer
- permanent local assistance.
- Bikes rental, transfer to the meeting point and to the drop off point, transfers which are not m mentioned, insurances, drinks, attractions entry fees and personal expenses.
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