Guided Winter Tour - Offroad Trip in the Carpathians - Romania

We take a well-deserved break, amidst the snowy solitude, surrounded by nothing but silence, nature, and the crackling snow beneath our boots. In no time, a small fire flickers, providing us warmth. The thermoses filled with hot tea and strong coffee make their rounds, hands reaching for them gratefully. The aroma of fresh sausages sizzling over the flames floats in the crisp winter air.

A small campfire, a strong coffee, good food, and great company – another special moment, as only the winter Carpathians can offer. After conquering the pass, the descent into the valley begins. Passing by a frozen lake, shimmering under a sparkling blanket of snow in the evening sun – almost like a diamond between rock and forest. Use this unique view for a great remember-photo. When we finally reach our guesthouse high up on the mountain, a scene unfolds before us like from a winter fairy tale: The small mountain village far below in the valley is already engulfed in the darkness of night, only the warm lights of the lanterns shine scattered among the houses. A peaceful, quiet sight. One last look at the surrounding mountains, and then we go into the warm living room. We enjoy a typical Romanian meal, savoring the best smoked trout from the region. By the fireplace, we enjoy the delicious mulled wine and look forward to the next few days in the Carpathians.

On our route, we traverse the deeply snow-covered Cindrel Mountains, the secluded Lotrului Mountains, and the almost forgotten Șureanu Mountains. We follow old paths, meander through quiet forests, and ascend snowy heights. We travel over the historically significant Hohe Rinne (Păltiniș) to Valea Frumoasă – Obârșia Lotrului, passing the impressive Vidra Lake, which spreads out like a jewel between the mountains. Depending on the snow conditions, our trail may lead us further to the remote Petrimanu Lake. In the village of Polovragi, we delve into the mysterious underworld of the region – with a visit to the spectacular stalactite cave that extends over 10km deep underground.

An absolute highlight of the trip is the visit to the famous Ice Hotel and the Ice Church at Bâlea Lake, at over 2,000m altitude: A frosty fairy tale world that you won't forget quickly. Our daily stages usually range between 40 and 80km – depending on weather conditions and snow conditions. The elevation gain can reach up to 1,700m or more. The route remains flexible – we always adapt it to local conditions, because: In the Carpathians, nature determines the way.