Cycle the Backroads of Transylvania

It's no secret that we love cycling, and many of us at HQ think it's the best way to see a country. However, we realize that organizing your own trip can be a total hassle. On our cycling trips, we partner with expert local guides who’ve designed the perfect route and will navigate for you every step of the way. We also provide a support vehicle to transport your overnight luggage, along with high-quality bikes and plenty of delicious snacks to keep you going. Hassle eliminated! All you have to do is show up, pedal, and take in the amazing landscape with your fellow cyclists. You will cycle at your own pace, with regular stops to regroup so that no one gets left behind.

You’ll be riding a Cannondale Trail mountain bike, featuring a lightweight alloy frame, hydraulic disc brakes, and front suspension. It’s a versatile, road- and trail-ready bike designed to handle climbs, descents, and everything in between. Your host will require your height in advance to ensure the correct frame size is provided. The bikes are equipped with a water bottle cage and come with standard flat pedals and standard saddles. If you’d prefer to bring your own saddle and pedals (including SPDs), you’re welcome to do so; these will be fitted for you.

Can I bring my own bike? Bringing your own bike is discouraged due to limited storage for bike boxes or bags. In addition, the support trailers are designed specifically for the bikes provided by the host, so safe transport of personal bikes cannot be guaranteed. Your own bike may also require specific parts for maintenance, which may not be locally available or serviceable by the support vehicle mechanic. For these reasons, we recommend using the bikes provided by your host.

Yes, this is a point-to-point cycling trip. Each day, you’ll ride from one location to the next, traveling through the Transylvanian Highlands.

The cycle guide ratio on the trip is 1-8 customers; this means that for groups of nine or more people, there will be two cycle guides. Throughout, you will be accompanied by a support vehicle driven by a bike mechanic.

In the event of poor weather, such as heavy rain, strong winds, and/or storms, it is possible that conditions may become unsafe to complete the planned rides on this trip. Your guide will assess the conditions and weather forecasts and make a decision with your safety in mind. If it becomes necessary to make a change to the planned itinerary, an alternative route or activity will be offered.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive, and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location, and accommodation, and in some places, options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip, depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully before your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked your trip, please fill out your passenger information form ASAP with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Food in Romania’s Transylvanian Highlands has been shaped by a cool mountain climate, pastoral farming, and a mix of Romanian, Hungarian, and Saxon influences, so meals are generally hearty, seasonal, and centered on meat, dairy, preserved vegetables, and breads. For travelers with dietary requirements, options may be more limited in rural areas where menus are simple and based on local ingredients.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian
Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Vegan
Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Kosher
Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal
Halal diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten-free (for Celiac, please see Allergies section below)
Gluten-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Lactose-free
Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that provision for certain mild and severe or life-threatening food allergies (Fish & Shellfish, Celery) on this trip may be unreliable. Please get in touch with our Customer Experience team before booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip.

This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip, and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when traveling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods, and labeling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. While your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

The support vehicle will have large containers of water that you can refill your water bottles with.

E-bike upgrades are not available for this trip; you’ll be riding hybrid bikes as listed in the trip inclusions. Keeping everyone on the same bike type helps maintain a comfortable group pace, simplifies logistics, and ensures a more inclusive experience. We do, however, have a growing collection of e-bike adventures which you can explore.

Yes, you need to bring your own bike helmet on this adventure. It should meet recognized safety standards, display a relevant certification mark, and be in good condition. It is mandatory for all riders to wear a helmet whenever cycling.

Please make sure your helmet is:

• A purpose-built bike helmet that meets a recognized safety standard and displays a relevant certification mark, including (but not limited to):

  • CE/EN 1078 (UK & Europe)
  • CPSC or Snell B90/B95 (USA)
  • AS/NZS 2063 (Australia & New Zealand)

• In good condition:

  • Ideally, no more than five years old
  • Not involved in a crash
  • No visible cracks/dents, compressed foam, or damaged straps

• A good fit:

  • Sits level (not tipped back)
  • Snug, secure, and stable when fastened (doesn't rock or slide)
  • Retention system and straps work properly

If your helmet isn’t suitable on arrival:

• You may need to rent or buy a suitable helmet locally (availability varies by destination)
• If a suitable helmet can't be sourced, you may be unable to join some or all cycling activities on safety grounds, in line with your booking conditions

Need help choosing or fitting a helmet?
For advice, see British Cycling’s guidance

Cycle Safety Please see our Cycling safety guidance for further information.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).

If you are based in the United States, you can also check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

For customers joining from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your country of residence, as guidance may vary.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates daily, so prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips typically consist of a mix of solo travelers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves, and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.