• • Morning Deep Dive: Begin at the otherworldly Turda Salt Mine (Salina Turda). Descend into a futuristic underground theme park carved entirely out of an ancient salt deposit.
  • Afternoon Trek: Drive to the nearby Cheile Turzii (Turzii Gorge). Hike the canyon floor along the Hășdate River, marveling at the 300-meter-high vertical limestone walls.
  • Evening: Drive to Rimetea to check into your traditional guest house for the first of four nights.

Technical details

 Trail difficulty: easy towards intermediate trail with short steep and slippery sections.

Total elevation: 350+

Distance: 4 km

Time : 3-4 h

 

• The Big Hike: Tackle the most challenging trek of the trip at the Scărița-Belioara Botanical Reserve. Climb through wild forests to reach the high alpine plateau of Șesul Craiului at 1,350 meters.
• Scenic Rewards: Walk along dramatic vertical drops with sweeping views of the Arieș Valley.
• Trailhead Lunch: Celebrate the descent with a slow-cooked meal at the Punct Gastronomic Local Scarita Belioara before returning to Rimetea.

Technical details

 

 Trail difficulty: intermediate trail with short steep section that require easy scrambling

Total elevation: 700+

Distance: 10 km

Time : 6 h

 

• Active Recovery: Give your legs a break. Spend the morning taking a slow stroll through Rimetea village, photographing its unique 19th-century white architecture.
• Scenic Road Trip: Take a leisurely drive down the newly modernized TransApuseana Road (DJ107I). Stop at panoramic viewpoints to enjoy short, flat walks over rolling hills, traditional thatch-roof barns, and isolated mountain hamlets.

Technical details

 Trail difficulty: easy

Total elevation: 100+

Distance: 1-2 km

Time :  Rest day

• • Morning Summit: Step right out of your guest house to climb Piatra Secuiului (Szekler’s Rock). A steep but rewarding trail leads to the mountain crest, offering a bird’s-eye view of the entire valley.
  • Afternoon History: Hike or drive to the neighboring village of Colțești. Explore the dramatic ruins of the 13th-century Colțești Fortress perched precariously on a limestone crag.

Technical details

 Trail difficulty: intermediate trail with steep and slippery sections 

Total elevation: 700+

Distance: 12 km

Time : 6-7 h

 

Day 5: Travertine Cascades & Isolated Dumești Hamlet

• Morning Waterfalls: Hike the Şipote Waterfall Trail. Follow a stunning series of moss-covered travertine steps where crystal-clear spring water cascades into the Arieș River.
• Afternoon Solitude: Drive up to the remote Dumești Village. Walk through its timeless, idyllic landscapes and rolling meadows, capturing the authentic, untouched essence of the Apuseni Mountains before your departure.

Technical details:

Total elevation: 400+

Distance: 10 km

Time : 4-5 h

 

Accommodation: we will be staying at a traditional, ecoturistic guesthouse in Rimetea, with amazing landscapes and local food. 

Flexibility: The routes may change depending on the group’s level of preparation and weather conditions.

Price:  Starting from 650 EUR/pers (for a 4 person group) and includes:

• private transfer
• 4 nights accommodation at a traditional guesthouse in double rooms
• 5 day international mountain leader
• breakfast and dinner included.